Green Your Living and Working Spaces

Green your Dorm

• Raise shades to let the sunshine in and save energy by switching off overhead lights (healthier for circadian rhythms too!)
• Opt for organic bedding, towels, and clothing which use materials such as cotton and bamboo grown without pesticides
• During warmer months, if possible, open windows instead of using a fan
• During the colder months, put on another layer before turning up the thermostat (68 during the day and 60 at night is ideal!)
• Keep your space smelling fresh without the chemicals: clean regularly, keep food in airtight containers, and refrigerate perishables. Leaving an open box of baking soda in strategic locations can also help neutralize odors and help with naturally creating healthier indoor air quality!
• Taking a DIY approach can help you cut down on packaging and chemicals. Try making your own air freshener by adding a few drops of essential oil to water in a reusable spray bottle.

Green Your Office

• Utilize a powerstrip to plug in computers, lamps, etc, and then turn off at the end of the day
• Minimize paper use. If possible, e-read articles and provide students with PDFs of necessary class readings
• Be aware of the effectsaffects of AI usage on climate change! This article from Scientific American is a good place to start
• Set aside food scraps to compost and sort recycling and waste
• Look around… see any updates that can be made?! Contact Tara Federoff, campus Sustainability Specialist at tfederoff@middlebury.edu to work together to upgrade your office/department!
• Bring your own reusable water bottle and coffee mug (and receive discounts at the campus cafes!)

Green Upgrades for Homeowners 

Low cost, easy changes:

• Integrate more plant-based meals into your diet- good for you and the planet!
• Leave leaf litter and don’t clean up your garden until temperatures are reliably in the mid-40’s-50’s to help overwinter important pollinators!
• Plant native plants in your yard, click here and here for more information
• Switch to LED lightbulbs for less energy usage
• Install solar-powered outdoor lights
• Use smart plugs/powerstrips
• Seal air leaks with caulking/weather strips
• Install ceiling fans

Longer-term investments:

• Consider installing a heat pump and/or solar panels at your home- look into the Inflation Reduction Act’s programs for funding for these initiatives!
• Prioritize energy-efficient appliances
• Upgrade your windows and ensure your house is properly insulated… especially old homes!
• Update your plumbing and fixtures if they predate 1994 (when federal standards began to require fixtures use less water)
• Consider installing a tankless water heater
• Install a “cool roof”
• Look into geothermal heat pumps/HVAC

How does this work connect to the bigger picture?

Explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals