The Institute for a Sustainable Environment is excited to welcome all new and returning students back to campus this month!
As you are finalizing preparations for moving in, we just wanted to share a few reminders to help make your college experience as sustainable as possible:
- Looking for cheap plates, silverware, etc., to have in your dorm or apartment? Check out local thrift stores instead of buying new items.
- You don’t need to purchase plastic water bottles ― tap water is safe to drink on campus, and we have water bottle filling stations and water fountains around campus. (In most cases, tap water is actually safer to drink than plastic bottled water!)
- Need some new clothes? There are lots of great thrift stores in Potsdam, and you can check out online second-hand options like ThredUp and Poshmark. This is a great way to save money and help combat fast fashion.
- Check in with your roommates before purchasing items like microwaves and fridges to see what you actually need and avoid unnecessary duplicates.
- Did you know you can get phones and laptops second-hand? Check out the website Backmarket.
- Finally, take a pause while doing your shopping and consider what you actually need, and if you need it―can you borrow it from someone? Find it secondhand? Make it yourself?
This year, let’s promote creativity & community over consumerism.
Happy Back to School from the ISE team! Questions, or want to get involved with sustainability? Email Evelyn: laferrep@clarkson.edu
