Green Living Guide
- Eco Cleaners — Check your cleaning supplies for the EPA's Safer Choice label. These products are certified to be safer for you, your family, pets, and the environment without sacrificing performance.
- Curtains and Shades — Window curtains are a simple way to help insulate your room. Keep them closed in the winter to combat drafts or use black-out shades in the peak of summer to beat the heat.
- Natural Lighting — When the weather allows, keeping your shades open and using natural light helps us avoid harsh indoor lighting. There are also many health benefits from using natural light.
- Used Textbooks — Used textbooks can save paper, money, and emissions when sourced locally. Seek out second-hand books when possible and consider donating unwanted books at the end of each semester.
- Plants — Research has shown that houseplants could have the power to help improve indoor air quality, reduce stress levels, and boost your productivity.
- Laundry — Washing machines use an average of 20 gallons of water per load. Save water and only wash full loads of laundry. You can also reduce single-use waste and drying time by using wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets!
- LED Bulbs — LED bulbs are far more energy efficient than standard incandescent bulbs and can last much longer. When you can, switch lamps and light fixtures over to ENERGYSTAR qualified LED bulbs.
- Secondhand Furniture — Shopping secondhand when decorating your space supports the local economy, prevents unnecessary shipping emissions, and saves money.
- Power Save Settings — Power-saving settings help conserve energy by switching off unused devices and lowering screen brightness, which can also help reduce eye strain.
- Get Involved — Getting involved with the Student Sustainability Cooperative will help you engage in U of I sustainability through volunteerism, educational events, and leadership opportunities.