Back-to-School in Sustainable Style
The College Edition, Part 2
If you missed part 1 in our series, check it out here. Now, on to more ways to save both the planet and cold hard cash!
Think Free
The quintessential ‘broke college student’ is the poster child for the reuse economy. Campus Buy/Sell/Trade community pages were born from this. Upperclassmen donate or sell their stuff, underclassmen scoop it up. From electronics and furniture, to books, to clothing and plants, if you need or want it, you can probably find it. So, before you buy new, check it out! Other places to look are Facebook community ‘free stuff’ or ‘buy/sell/trade/’ pages, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Additionally, in most college towns, you can find an amazing array of stuff out on the sidewalk free for the taking, and if you are in NYC or other major metros, you will learn the art of ‘stooping’, which is a favorite amongst bargain hunters.
Buy Local
For the things you are buying, think local. The more you buy local, the less you have to transport…win, win. If you are looking at national retailers, Bed, Bath, & Beyond will pack and hold your order for pick up at a store near your dorm. Plus, the BB&B college pass offers 20% off everything exclusively for college students. If you are using other online retailers, try to order and ship your goods in as few deliveries/boxes as possible.
Books and School Supplies
If you know upperclassmen at your college or university, they will be a huge resource for finding deals. They can also give you tips on which classes you actually need to buy vs. rent vs. borrow the required materials.
Electronics, Appliances and Power Cords
While it’s tempting to deck out your dorm with electronics, all you really need is a laptop, smartphone, earbuds, an external hard drive and maybe a portable speaker. Many retailers offer student discounts on these items and all are available refurbished. To help fund the new stuff, check out these sites to sell your used tech.
For all appliances, check with your roommates first. You only need one of anything, and appliances are usually available secondhand.
Power cords with surge protection are a must. Rarely are there outlets where you need them in dorm rooms, so get one with a long cord. They will also save your electronics from costly power surge damage, and you can turn them off with a flip of the switch to stop vampire electricity usage, which costs US households an average of $165 a month.
The Move Itself
For what you have to move or ship, please skip the bubble wrap! Use your clothes to buffer fragile items and use collapsible roller duffle bags, IKEA blue shopping bags or IKEA zippered storage bags instead of boxes. At .99 - 4.99 a pop, the IKEA bags are a great deal and can double as laundry bags or under-bed storage for off-season clothing during your four year college experience.
Enjoying our columns? Attend an Environmental Action Committee meeting on July 18 and August 15 at 4 pm. Email environment@lwvchicago.org for the Zoom link!