Click for a printable handout to display in your dorm or apartment. 

When it comes to sustainability, it’s all about the small things – the habits we build and carry out every day.

The U.N. has written out 17 goals (such as clean air and water, social justice, and education for all) to lead governments and citizens towards a better, more sustainable future. To meet these goals, we need everyone to play their part, from national leaders to college freshmen.  

Education

• Explore the 17 UN Goals and learn how you can contribute to any and all sustainable solution.
• Support your fellow students in their sustainability research! Learn about what sustainability research is being conducted or has already been done. 
• Watch movies, read books, and attend conferences on sustainability topics that interest you. Direct your learning on sustainable development so that you can teach others!  

Reuse and Reduce

• Get the most out of your purchases by following manufacturer’s instructions and being gentle with your belongings. With a little extra care, you can prolong having to replace items.
• Learn to make small repairs to extend the life of your things, such as mending wires or cables, re-attaching buttons, patching holes, or mending hems.
• Make the change to reusable bags. Tote bags are both fashionable and eco-friendly.
• Re-use items when you can. Glass jars that once held sauce, jams, or other preserves make excellent containers for your left-overs or as storage around the house. Learn more about safely storing food without plastic.
• Honor abuelas (grandmothers) by finding a second use for plastic containers, like storing salsa or beans in the tubs that butter came in. 

  Recycle

• Recycling is a habit. Start by placing a bin or bag for paper/cardboard next to your trash. At the end of the week, take it to your local recycling center.
• Once you have that habit down, add another bin for plastics! Rinse your plastic items after use (they don’t have to be spotless) to prevent odors and pests.
• Repeat for glass and other categories of recycling offered by your recycling center.
• Return the bag full of plastic bags you have at home to grocery stores that have bag recycling programs.
• Composting is the next step in sustainable waste management. Make your own under-the-counter composting bin to dispose of your organic trash! Compost can be donated to gardeners or spread on your lawn to feed the earth. 
• The Marie Kondo trend has everyone emptying out their closets of unwanted clothes. We're all for sparking joy, but don’t throw that perfectly good clothing away when it can be used by someone else! Donate it to an organization, sell it to a thrift store or online, hold a garage sale, or host a clothing swap party with your friends and classmates.

Shopping

• Buy energy efficient bulbs to save electricity (and save you money, as they last longer, too!)
• Look for safer choice products for cleaning your home. They’re made in sustainable ways and limit the use of harmful chemicals.
• Go thrifting. Second-hand items are in vogue; nobody will notice if it’s new or not. It’s new to you! Learn about and educate your friends about the problem of “fast fashion!” 
• Ask for an electronic receipt instead of a printed one, and make sure you’re signed up for e-notifications instead of mail, to save trees.

Utilities

• Be conscious of every drop. Shorter showers save you money and help preserve a limited global resource. The Navy has figured out how to make it happen! 
• Beware energy vampires! Unplug electronics like TV’s, computers, and game consoles when not in use to keep them from sucking up electricity (that costs money) even when they’re not visibly on!
• Be smart about the thermostat. Try closing the blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day and using ceiling fans in the summer, and use space heaters and dressing in layers in the winter, to stay comfortable while maintaining a low energy cost.
• Do full loads of laundry only; wash on cold to keep your clothes from shrinking and saving energy that it takes to heat the water.

Transportation

• Use public transportation. You can make a day trip to South Padre Island for free using UTRGV routes!
• Bike around campus. If you don’t have one, make use of UTRGV’s bike-share program.
• Walk to nearby places to get some sun, exercise, and scenery.
• Carpool when possible. Get to know your classmates and ride together!

Health and Safety

• Stay hydrated. Carry a reusable water bottle to prevent plastic waste. You do not have to buy a new bottle to be your ‘reusable water bottle.’ You can start re-using any glass, metal, or hard plastic bottle that you have at home.
• Quit smoking. UTRGV is a smoke-free campus, and offers assistance for quitting.
• Feed yourself healthy food, like organic fruits and veggies. Make sure you’re meeting your dietary needs. The UTRGV Food Pantry has free food to give to students who need groceries at their home or dorm – do not hesitate to show up; they will set you up with nourishment.
• Be a Hero! Join the Super Hero Project, a university-wide initiative to promote the idea that individual Vaqueros have the power to prevent high-risk behavior and harm.
• Donate blood. Student organizations often host blood drives on campus. Help save lives!

 Connect

• Follow UTRGV OFS on social media for news, raffles, event info, and educational resources.
• Sign up to volunteer or participate in a sustainability event. Learn about sustainability and get some cool SWAG!
• Join a student group. Volunteer work with your group can go on your resume and may help you in your career search.
• Go on a nature excursion with other students! Explore day, weekend, and extended trip options.