Sustainability at Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ starts with you
It can be easy to think that our daily actions do not make much difference in terms ofÌýthe environment, but they do. What can we do to reduce our waste and consumption on a daily basis, and at the same timeÌýincrease our happiness and maintain a comfortable lifestyle?Ìý
The Eco Buffs program, which is funded by the City of Boulder and administered by the Environmental Center at Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ, understands the challenges and balances of reducing waste while living comfortably. They aim to create a more sustainable, zero waste Boulder and distribute EcoKits that include a compost bin, toilet tablets to check for leaks, lightbulbsÌýand more! The program is designed to encourage students to learn about their habits,ÌýliveÌýmore sustainably and meet climate justice goals.Ìý
Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ has other on-campus programs and practices that support the school's legacy of sustainability. Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ uses ditch water for irrigation and to water lawns, instead of city-treated water, saving around $440,000 every year and reducing water waste in the process. Our water use is not always obvious to us as consumers, but the clothes we wear andÌýfood we consume all use water and are something we should be mindful of.
How doÌýwe know if our sustainability actionsÌýat Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ are as good as they can be? The STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) report provides insight into that question. Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder has scored "gold" on the STARS report, along with hundreds of other schools. If you want to get involved in campus policies related to sustainability, consider joining the Environmental Center board or the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Student Government Sustainability Commission.