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A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:26:26 +0000

A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 10/12/2025 - 18:26

The key to being a sustainable college student is finding balance through the accessible actions that fit into my day and create positive impact. Over time, I’ve learned that sustainability isn’t all or nothing. I think of my efforts as a mix of learning from ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s sustainability community, building daily habits that add up, and making meaningful choices that align with my values, all with a focus on progress over perfection.

Learning from ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s sustainability community

This mindset sank in through Environmental Center events. At America Recycles Day, I received Tupperware and metal straws that quickly replaced single-use items. What felt like a small change became a reminder that reducing waste often starts simply. Volunteering at Ralphie’s Green Stampede made this lesson tangible by seeing the volume of waste produced at a single game. It emphasized the importance of our mindset about what we consume.

Routines add up

In daily life, these ideas show up in small habits. I start my day by filling my reusable water bottle, saving over 150 plastic bottles a year. I take the Buff Bus instead of driving, which helps get me further on campus, avoids the stress of parking, and saves money. These small choices help both the planet and my budget. On campus, sustainability shows up everywhere. At Folsom Field, Ralphie’s Green Stampede sorts trash after games, proving sustainability can be woven into traditions people already love. Even as Boulder’s composting rules change, CU and Ralphie’s Green Stampede community keep adapting.

Sustainable choices make memories

Off campus, sustainability blends into my social life. My friends and I use BCycles when going out, and some of the best memories come from those rides; even biking uphill on a half-dead BCycle feels worth it. Choosing the sustainable option can add to the experience, not take away from it.

Progress over perfection

Of course, I’m not perfect. There are days I forget my reusable water bottle or grab takeout in plastic containers. ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s sustainability culture has shown me that it’s not about perfection, it’s about weaving sustainable choices into daily life. Sustainability here isn’t a separate “to-do list” for students. It’s built into the free bus rides, B-Cycles, Ralphies Green Stampede, and everyday conversations. In those ordinary, everyday life choices, sustainability becomes less about guilt and more about being a part of something bigger. Join the community today by signing the Sustainable Buffs Pledge.

The key to being a sustainable college student is finding balance through the accessible actions that fit into my day and create positive impact.

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Students and community partners keep thousands of items out of landfill

Jenna Morrow — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:25:57 +0000

Students and community partners keep thousands of items out of landfill Jenna Morrow Fri, 10/10/2025 - 13:25

Each move-out season brings a surge of unwanted items as students transition out of Boulder’s rental housing. To reduce waste and support reuse, ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s Off-Campus Life (OCL) and the Environmental Center partnered with the City of Boulder, Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA), and local Zero Waste organizations for a coordinated effort to collect reusable items and divert materials from the landfill.

In 2025, five drop-off stations were set up on the Hill during both spring (May 11–14) and summer (July 31–August 3) move-out periods. Stations were located at 11th & Penn, 13th & Euclid, 15th & Euclid, 10th & College, and 12th & Aurora—with Aurora and 12th proving most popular in the spring, collecting 339 items, and 15th and Euclid taking the lead in the summer with 350 items.

Across both events, students and community partners made a measurable impact.

Spring 2025: 11.9 tons were sent to the landfill, while 5.145 tons were diverted, achieving a 30% diversion rate.

Summer 2025: 22.92 tons went to the landfill and 6.5 tons were diverted, for a 22% diversion rate.

Together, these efforts kept over 11 tons of materials out of the landfill in just two move-out periods. Volunteers and staff supported 43 pickups, sorted donations, and ensured items were properly managed at each site.

Looking ahead, OCL, the Environmental Center, and community partners are exploring ways to expand collection efforts into additional neighborhoods while keeping the program financially and environmentally sustainable.

Want to help?
Be part of the move-out solution next year! Whether volunteering with the Environmental Center, donating before trashing items, or shopping reused at local partners like Resource Central and CU’s Surplus Store, every action helps keep Boulder cleaner and more sustainable.

To reduce waste and support reuse, ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s Off-Campus Life (OCL) and the Environmental Center partnered with the City of Boulder, Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA), and local Zero Waste organizations for a coordinated effort to collect reusable items and divert materials from the landfill.

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��ý�Ļ��Ʒ and City of Boulder Expand Student Move-Out Waste Diversion Efforts

Jenna Morrow — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 19:04:47 +0000

��ý�Ļ��Ʒ and City of Boulder Expand Student Move-Out Waste Diversion Efforts Jenna Morrow Tue, 06/24/2025 - 13:04

From May 11-14, a unique community partnership brought together the City of Boulder, ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ, Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA) and Zero Waste organizations to support students and reduce landfill waste during move-out. Recognizing the increased waste during this time of year, ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s Off-Campus Life and Environmental Center partnered to set up five stations along the Hill for students to take belongings they no longer need. Goodwill, USAgain, Eco-Cycle, Resource Central, Home Ahead and the CU Distribution Center took many usable items from the stations to resell or recycle, helping to close “the loop” and provide convenient ways for students to get rid of items.

With the success of the project and strong partnerships, we are doing it again! Many leases end in late July and early August, so we are hosting a second round of this project during this time from July 31–August 3.

Whether you are passionate about contributing to the city’s circular economy goals, want to give back to the community or are curious about what students leave behind, we need you!

Sign up for Move-Out shifts July 31st - August 3rd
Can’t volunteer but want to help out? Please support our zero waste partners by shopping reused! ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ CU’s Surplus Store on Walnut and 33rd, Resource Central or any Goodwill location to support our partners.

Help reduce move-out waste and support Boulder’s circular economy — volunteer or shop reused during ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s upcoming student move-out event July 31–August 3.

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news

A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ

Learning from ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ’s sustainability community

Routines add up

Sustainable choices make memories

Progress over perfection

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Students and community partners keep thousands of items out of landfill

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news

A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ

Learning from ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ’s sustainability community

Routines add up

Sustainable choices make memories

Progress over perfection

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Students and community partners keep thousands of items out of landfill

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����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ and City of Boulder Expand Student Move-Out Waste Diversion Efforts

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A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ

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��ý�Ļ��Ʒ and City of Boulder Expand Student Move-Out Waste Diversion Efforts