Top 10 Sustainability Tips for New Students

New to NC State? Welcome to the Pack! As you orient yourself to campus and all it offers, consider trying these top 10 ways to be sustainable on campus. They’re super easy and often benefit both you and NC State. Check it out:

 

Take the stairs

One way to avoid the freshman 15 is to keep active, which is easier than you think. If you’re able, get in the habit of taking the stairs instead of the elevator. You’ll burn more calories while also reducing campus energy use.

 

Eat local at dining halls

Local food is in — especially at campus dining halls, where University Dining sources nearly one third of its food from local farmers and food suppliers. Check out chalkboards at the entrance of the dining hall to see where your food is coming from. You might be surprised to know that some food is actually grown on campus!

 

Take the Wolfline

Don’t waste your time trying to park– use the Wolfline bus.  The drivers are friendly, it’s faster than finding a place to park and you won’t have to worry about a parking ticket. Never taken the bus before? Here’s an easy, how-to guide so you’ll know all the ins and outs of bus riding before hopping on the Wolfline.

 

Download the NC State Guide App

In addition to a Sustainability Guide, you’ll find dozens of other helpful tools to navigating your NC State experience. Search for “NC State University Guides” in the App Store or Google Play.

 

Join an intramurals team

Intramural sports teams and club sports are a great way to meet new people while also staying fit. Exercise is vital for a more sustainable you.

 

Study outside

Natural light is one of the best things you can do for your body, so why not study outside when the weather is good? One of our favorite spots is the JC Raulston Arboretum. It’s peaceful, beautiful and kind of like NC State’s hidden secret.

 

Watch Your Waste

Be mindful of your meal portions to reduce your waist and the amount of food you waste. The average American throws away 20 pounds of food per month. An easy way to reduce that = only pile on your plate what you know you will eat.

 

Bike around campus

Biking is the quickest way to get around campus. Just think, you can sleep in an extra 10 minutes each morning if you bike to class instead of walk or drive/park. If you don’t have your own bike, rent one from University Recreation’s Wolf Wheels in the Carmichael Complex. As long as you bike safely, there are numerous benefits to you pedaling more.

 

Bring your own cup and bag

Reusable cups are impressive and a great way to show your school spirit while also decreasing plastic waste. Same thing goes for reusable bags. They are stylish and way quieter than plastic bags so your professor won’t hear you when you pull out your snack in the middle of class.

 

Recycle

Learn what you can and cannot recycle on campus. Here’s an easy A-Z guide and a map to find recycling bins.

 

Want more information about how to get involved with Sustainability at NC State? Check out these ideas.

Change Your State through simple, everyday actions.
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