[Special Move-In and Move-Out recycling information]

[GreenGames...find out more]

...The following are additional steps residents can take to reduce the amount of materials and energy they use...

10. Conservation -- Take Shorter Showers If each student in the residence halls reduced their showing time by 1 minute, we could save about 30,000 gallons of water each day.  Always turn off your lights, stereo, etc. when not in use or when you leave your room. A good rule of thumb is to turn lights off if you will be out or the room for more than two minutes.

9. Drive Less Ride the bus, your bike, walk or roller blade whenever possible. Use the Ride Share board at the Student Union or in your residence hall to carpool if you're going on a longer trip.

8. Buy Less Stuff Rent or borrow items that you use infrequently. Share household items, like hair dryers, with your roommate. You can borrow cassettes and CD's from the library, and read their magazines instead of subscribing to your own.

7. Avoid "Disposables" Students on the go often leave behind a trail of disposable cups, plastic ware and paper napkins. Carry your own mug, fork, and cloth bandana for coffee and meals to go.

6. Don't Take The Bag! You carry and use your knapsack or book bag nearly everywhere you go, so why take that disposable bag from the book store or food store? When they ask "Paper or Plastic?, just say "neither".

5. Buy Recycled Products Recycling only occurs when you "close the loop" and purchase and use products made of recovered materials. Encourage your professors and local copy shops to print class handouts and course packs on recycled-content paper. Double-sided, of course.

4. Avoid Using Hazardous or "Toxic" Substances Certain products like nail polish remover, paints, cleaners and sprays contain chemicals that pose risks to human health and the environment.  Also, choose items that don't require batteries, or use rechargeable ones. If you must use batteries, dispose of them safely.  For  information on battery recycling, or disposal of household hazardous wastes like those listed above, please contact Sharon Myers with the Department of Environment, Health & Safety at 962-9752, or email her at samyers@email.unc.edu.

3. Stop "Junk Mail" Reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. Ask organizations and companies to withhold from selling your name to other companies. Mail solicitations back in their business reply envelope. Or, write to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Assoc. 11 West 42nd Street, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Ask them to prevent the selling of your name in the future.

2. Don't trash it...Recycle! It's easy to recycle in your residence hall. Use your tote to bring newspapers, glossy magazines, glass bottles, aluminum and metal cans, and plastic jugs to a nearby outdoor recycling site.  Use indoor recycling sites to dispose of white paper, and office fiber paper.  When moving out, donate food, clothes, and furniture to people who can use them. UNC sponsors a drive for these items during student move-out.

1. Get Eco-Active! There are numerous environmental organizations on campus to join, and community agencies who need volunteers. Check with the Carolina Union for a listing of student activities.

Contact OWRR for information about Green Games.  Green Games is a residence hall contest highlighting recycling efforts and conservation of water and energy. Prizes are awarded to the best performers.  This year, Green Games will be a six week contest held during the spring semester.  Hopes are to increase student involvement in recycling & conservation by intensifying competition between residence areas. For more information about Green Games, call the OWRR office at 962-1442 and ask for Jen Maxwell.