http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-dorm-room-easy-greening.html
Eco-Dorm Room: Easy Greening
By Annie B. Bond
One last loving thing we can do as parents is to send our children off to college with the makings of a green dorm room, replete with natural air freshener (as an alluring substitute
if the roommate wants to use a plug-in), natural fiber bedding (it is cheap at Target),
and a myriad of other examples of choosing the most eco-friendly (and human-friendly) furnishings.
Here is how my daughter and I chose green (and economical) during a grueling six-hour shopping trip:
Old Paradigm: Plastic water bottles.
Easy Greening: Tabletop filter; pretty stainless steel water bottle (find these online or at stores such as Whole Foods).
Old Paradigm: Plastic electric kettle.
Easy Greening: Stainless steel electric kettle.
Old Paradigm: Air freshener plug-ins.
Easy Greening: Natural air freshener using essential oils (or better yet, clean up the mess causing the odors).
Old Paradigm: Scented candles made of paraffin and synthetic fragrance.
Easy Greening: Beeswax candles (these are natural air cleaners in their own right).
Old Paradigm: Permanent press sheets made with polyester blend.
Easy Greening: Natural fiber, preferably organic.
Old Paradigm: Synthetic pillows.
Easy Greening: Pillow made with natural materials.
Old Paradigm: Polyester-filled comforter.
Easy Greening: Organic wool or organic cotton-filled duvet; wool or cotton blankets.
Note: Buying a comforter like this is the big-ticket item, but it will last a lifetime.
Old Paradigm: Scented laundry detergent.
Easy Greening: “Free and Clear” laundry detergent .
Old Paradigm: Fabric softener.
Easy Greening: No fabric softener unless from a respected green brand such as Seventh Generation or Ecover.
Old Paradigm: No education about energy use with laundry.
Easy Greening: Give them 12 Laundry Tips for Maximum Energy Saving.
Old Paradigm: Plugs everywhere, no easy way to turn off electronics.
Easy Greening: Take a power strip to attach all the sundry electronics and easily turn them all off to reduce phantom loads (electronic devices that keep running clocks etc., even when the power switch is turned off).
Old Paradigm: Lamps that use only incandescent light bulbs.
Easy Greening: Buy lamps that can accommodate compact fluorescents; switch existing lights in the dorm room to compact fluorescents.
Old Paradigm: Halogens.
Easy Greening: Compact fluorescents (halogens can be a fire hazard).
Old Paradigm: Not paying attention to the fields that electronics give off.
Easy Greening: To avoid electromagnetic fields make sure that all transformers, such as the little black boxes, and digital alarm clocks and other electronic equipment is at least 6 feet from the sleeping area.
Old Paradigm: Bug sprays with DEET.
Easy Greening: Herbal alternatives found in health food stores.
Old Paradigm: Not reading labels on personal care products.
Easy Greening: Many body care products contain ingredients that can disrupt hormones and cause reproductive harm. Find safe brands and companies from
this list.
Old Paradigm: Lindane-based shampoos for head lice.
Easy Greening: Use a natural alternative to lindane for head lice and scabies, if they become a problem. (Lindane was banned by the EPA for agricultural crops in August 2006, but use as a shampoo is regulated by the FDA and lindane has not yet been banned for this use.)
Old Paradigm: Sodas with aspartame/Nutrasweet.
Easy Greening: Drinks with natural flavors.
Old Paradigm: Fragrance in body-care products.
Easy Greening: Naturally-scented or unscented products instead.
Old Paradigm: Regular coffee.
Easy Greening: Organic, fair trade coffee.
Old Paradigm: no plants
Easy Greening: Top 10 house (dorm room) plants for cleaner air.
Old Paradigm: Nothing
Easy Greening: Salt lamps. Crystalline salt is a natural air ionizer that boosts the negative ions in the air; an environment rich in negative ions has a wonderfully positive effect on your physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual health.
Old Paradigm No attention to chi energy.
Easy Greening: <a href=”http://www.care2.com/greenliving/best-feng-shui-for-your-desk.html” Best Feng Shui Your Desk; Feng Shui Your Bedroom; and you can always give the hint by offering How Clutter Affects You
Old Paradigm: Paper plates and plastic utensils.
Easy Greening: Cheap metal kitchen ware, including bowls and plates.
Old Paradigm: Toxic all-purpose cleaner.
Easy Greening: All-purpose cleaner from a respected green company such as Seventh Generation of Ecover.
Old Paradigm: Junk microwave food.
Easy Greening: Whole food snacks.
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11 comments
add your comment »siemens
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
There are several dorm reviews at www.5caps.com where people also said that they loved their eco-friendly dorm rooms, so in some universities it is more like a policy now.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
There are several dorm reviews at www.5caps.com where people also said that they loved their eco-friendly dorm rooms, so in some universities it is more like a policy now.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Dorm Delicious has an article on greening your dorm room as well: http://www.dormdelicious.com/articles/decorating_tips_green_dorm_room
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why is this inappropriate?
These are good suggestions, but I salt lamps are quackery - and a waste of energy if you get one that runs on electricity.
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I'm very happy with this article, and thank you Val - for that extra reminder. You're right & that will also be kept in mind.
I'll be implementing these all soon, hopefully.
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Read Organic Housekeeping. It's not just about organic but also about efficient, meaning it's perfect for people who don't have time to and hate to clean!
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The ideas for "green" dorm rooms are very practical,useful and great for home use as well. I find only one that could prove to be counter-productive and that is the use of fluorescent lighting. Yes, I am aware and appreciate the reasons for the use of fluorescent bulbs, but for up to as high as 20% of the general population, fluorescent lighting may contibute to headaches(including migraines), sore/ watery eyes and limit an individual's ability to concentrate for extended periods of time. For those people, who already are forced to cope with fluorescent lighting in classrooms, libraries, etc., coming back to a dorm room lit with fluorescent lighting adds a burden which may be very detrimental and couter-productive to their studying and to their sense of well-being, no matter how many other natural elements they may incorporate into their lifestyle. Try to read/study in natural lighting whenever possible, away from direct overhead lights in the classroom or use a study lamp with an incandescent bulb in your dorm if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms and check the Irlen website for further symptoms and information regarding the light-based perceptual disorder called Irlen/Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS). It may make a tremendous difference in your ability to read, comprehend and better your grades with less effort as it has for many others who suffer from SSS.
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As a college senior I am proud to say I have never had to drink a cup of coffee despite pulling several allnighters before exams etc! How did I do it? Mint essential oil is a natural way of remaining awake and it leaves a clean fresh scent in your room! Only problem is that it keeps anyone who smells it awake, so check with your room mate first!
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