10 Earth Friendly Tips You Can Share with Your Student
The majority of today's college students are eco-minded, very much wanting to reduce their impact on the environment. Here are 10 earth friendly tips you can share with your student to help her lead a greener lifestyle — and in some cases, save money too:

1. Take notes on your computer. Bring your laptop to class and take notes right on it. You'll save paper and since you probably type faster than you write, you might be able to take better notes too.
   
2. Carry your own bottle with you, instead of repeatedly buying them. Fill it up with water or another beverage of choice (just make sure to wash it out every once in awhile!).
   
3. Watch your water usage. It's easy to waste many gallons of water in our everyday lives, as we use toilets, showers, sinks and more. However, it's also pretty easy to save water by:
• not running the faucet when brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face
  
• keeping drinking water in the fridge instead of running the faucet until it gets cold enough
  
• taking quicker showers
  
4. Clean green. Instead of using toxic cleaners that can contribute to indoor air pollution and contaminate our water, check out some of the natural-based cleaners instead. Or use natural household items to clean, such as baking soda, salt, lemon juice and vinegar. Find out how at www.thegreenguide.com/doc/120/diy.
   
5. Be thrifty! Head to yard sales and thrift stores to locate unique items that can round out your room décor and your wardrobe. You'll be amazed at what you can find!
   
6. Utilize the Internet to stay connected. You can find so many news sources online these days that you really don't have to buy a paper copy of the newspaper. You can also save paper by reading books online too.
   
7. Buy Local. Support the local economy and reduce the transportation impact of food and other items by buying local. Check out community gardens, farmer's markets and local businesses.
   
8. Find out if you can submit assignments online, instead of printing them out. You might be surprised at how many faculty members actually prefer this method!
   
9. Take public transportation when you can and carpool when you can't. Or, travel the "old-fashioned" way — on bike or by foot.
   
10. Rent your textbooks, instead of buying them. Or, find them used through the campus bookstore. These days, there are a lot of options — saving paper and money.