G3 2008
View photos of G3 2008.G3 2007
The second George Goes Green competition began with a variety of energy conservation approaches.G3 2006
Students, faculty, and staff devised creative ways to conserve energy as part of the first George Goes Green competition.Easy Ways to Green Your Dorm
Use a Stainless Steel or Plastic-Free Water Bottle and Travel Mug: it'll save you a fortune in plastic bottles. Also, remember to get a Brita for the faucet or a PUR pitcher for the fridge. Look online at SIGG or Klean Kanteen for bottles.
Turn off the lights! Just by turning off the lights when not in use, you'll be saving huge amounts of energy. Plus, you can reap the benefits of natural sunlight by studying during the day (we know it's not always possible…). Remember: unplug your appliances when you're not using them (they still use energy when kept plugged in all the time, like phone chargers)
CFLs: by using CFL light bulbs in your new Target lamp instead of regular incandescent bulbs, you won't have to replace your bulb for the year (and really, who wants to do that?) plus you'll be saving 75% in energy use.
Use Natural Air Fresheners Like Essential Oils: since you can't use candles, natural essential oils with diffusers are the best way to keep your room smelling fresh. Check out EccoBella and Citrus Magic for even more air fresheners.
If you want to help purifier the air further, try a salt lamp.
Switch to Organic or Natural Sheets and Pillows: they feel great and are pesticide free!
There are plenty of organic bedding options, including organic cotton and bamboo sheets, quilt and shams, and pillow cases which are available at Target. More are also available at Bath, Bath and Beyond or Linens 'n Things.
Use Eco-Friendly Bath and Cleaning Products: green your laundry and cleaning with safe laundry detergent, stain remover, cleaner, and dishwashing fluid all available at Seventh Generation and Ecover.
You can even purchase recycled toothbrushes at Preserve.
You Look So Natural: time to give your makeup and bath products a makeover. Try some fruity facial cleanser, a nice moisturizer, and some organic makeup from Physician's Formula to keep looking natural and eco-friendly.
Go Energy Star! No matter if it's your coffee maker, microwave, or new laptop, look for the Energy Star icon. It lets you know that the product you're buying uses significantly less energy. If you're looking for the best deal in Energy Star, try the MicroFridge, a combined microwave, freezer, and fridge that is Energy Star certified. Or, if you're lucky enough to have a large shared fridge, share it! There will be plenty of space for food.
De-Paper Yourself: use a towel to dry your hands and clean up messes, and buy some kitchenware for meals in the room. You can find Preserve recycled and reusable cutlery and plates right at the bookstore and Confetti dishes at Target.
Or, if you want to be fancy, try organic hand towels and bamboo cutlery.
But, if you really need some paper towels, napkins,and tissues, buy recycled ones at grocery stores and the natural food store in Chestertown.
You can even get recycled mirrors !
Stationary: We know you will need paper, post-it notes, and everything else in between for classes. Try to buy recycled or Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) stationary. Remember: many professors use blackboard exclusively for assignments, so you can save paper by not printing out every single assignment, and instead read it online. If you need to print, print double-sided.
De-Plastic Yourself: dig up those dusty totes bags and use them to go shopping – the US alone wastes 100 billion plastic bags every year that are a damaging eyesore. If you want stylish bags, check out reuseablebags.com or reusethisbag.com. You can also purchase 99 cent bags made from recycled material at Acme or Superfresh. If you want to know why it's so good to make the switch, click here.
Even Target is in on the craze.
So Little Space, So Much to Store: instead of opting for plastic, easily breakable storage units, try bamboo storage units. When you leave for the summer and live far away, remember to rent a storage unit around town so you won't have to spend the extra gas hauling everything back home.
Get Thrifty: shop around town for used lamps, chairs, and other furniture if you feel the need for even more furniture (other than your dorm furniture). Chestertown has plenty of thrift stores.
Green Your Snacking: buy natural, organic, free-range, and especially LOCAL food. Chestertown has a farmer's market every Saturday morning, so pick up fresh fruit and veggies (and maybe some cookies) for the week there.
Plants: bring a fern or some bamboo – they help purify the air and look pretty too. These plants help get rid of nasty indoor air toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde (ick). Click here for even more information. Fresh air does wonders (especially when you have to stay up all night studying for that bio final and finishing that lit paper…oops).
Coffee and Tea: instead of rushing to the café every morning, make your own shade-grown, organic and fair trade coffee and tea. Or, if you really need a specialty drink, let the barista use your travel mug. While you're at it, get a permanent filter for your brewer at Amazon or Greenfeet. The Dining Pavilion also offers fair-trade coffee, so fill your mug up at breakfast too.
Anything else: you'll be amazed at how many items are now made of recycled material. For example, Target sells PCW material and recycled umbrellas, vases, doormats, and Elephant Poo Poo products (yes, it's made from elephant poop).
Use the Recycling Bins!!! They're right outside your room, throw your recyclables in them!
Watch a promo for this year's George Goes Green competition!
Driving Greener - The funniest movie is here. Find it
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