Sustainable Buffs' Top Tips to Kick off the School Year
Sustainability at ĢӰ Boulder isn’t another item to add to your to-do list—it’s already woven into everyday campus life. From your morning coffee to how you get around campus and spend time with friends, small choices can help you save money, reduce waste, and connect with a community of Buffs creating positive change. As Sustainable Buff Sofiya puts it, “I’ve learned that sustainability isn’t all or nothing. I think of my efforts as a mix of learning from ĢӰ Boulder’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.”
Routine swaps with simple sustainable habits
For most students, it’s phone, wallet, keys, backpack, then out the door for classes.
With simple swaps and preparation, you can stretch your budget and make a sustainable impact. ĢӰ is doing its part by swapping to recyclables in all campus vending machines. Learn more about that and how ĢӰ Boulder’s Recycling Operations Center works, check out this video.
This semester, the Alferd Packer Grill and SEEC Cafe are This will cut down on single-use waste as well as provide convenience for busy ĢӰ students.
Looking for even more ways to make sustainability part of your routine? Schedule a free EcoVisit. During this peer-to-peer walkthrough, another student will share practical tips for living more sustainably in your residence hall or apartment, and you'll receive free sustainability essentials to help you get started.
Sustainability between classes
Some of the best sustainability experiences at ĢӰ happen outside the classroom. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and that make it easy to build new skills, meet other students, and make a positive impact. For many students like Sofiya, these choices become part of the memories they make in college.
“My friends and I use when going out, and some of the best memories come from those rides. Choosing the sustainable option can add to the experience, not take away from it.”
Whether you prefer to take the bus with your BuffOne card, bike our Platinum-rated trails, zoom around ĢӰ with Lime scooters, or car-share to and from campus, there is a sustainable mobility option for you! Learn more about the rules to maintain a safe and sustainable campus cycling community. Don’t forget to wear your helmet and have fun!
Remember, Progress over Perfection
You can’t always make the most sustainable choice, and that’s okay.
Being a Sustainable Buff is about making routine choices that add up to a larger collective impact, especially when the ĢӰ community acts collectively. Whether you are volunteering with at football games, participating in Bike Fest, or joining ĢӰSG’s Environmental Board, there’s an opportunity at every level to join the Sustainable Buffs herd.