It's that time of year again when we pack the bags, kiss our loved ones goodbye and head to Columbia's campus. There are many things we need to remember and we here at Environmental Stewardship want to guarantee your move-in is as environmentally friendly as possible.

Most importantly, we need you to be our eyes on campus. We need to know if a recycling bin is missing, if you're having trouble setting your power settings on the computer--anything! Feel free to e-mail us at environment@columbia.edu or contact Facilities at (212) 854-2222.

There are many aspects of the move-in that can be examined for environmental impact. Below are just a few selected for your consideration...

Transportation

There has been a lot of talk about individual carbon footprints in the past year. Here are two ways of determining your carbon impact on the environment:

Individual Carbon Footprint:

Measure your individual carbon footprint here.

Transportation Footprint:

Measure the amount of carbon your transportation to school produced here.

Move-in

The Columbia EcoReps have created a wonderful move-in program called Give + Go Green.

In the Spring, when students are moving out, EcoReps stay behind to collect any unwanted stuff left by those moving out.

Now, you can also purchase items from the EcoReps for your dorm room. The EcoReps will be selling dorm furnishings to benefit the program in different locations during the days of move-in:

September 11: 12pm-4pm in Broadway Hall 1^st Floor Alcove Lounge
September 12: 12pm-4pm in Schapiro Hall 1^st Floor Lounge
September 13: 12pm-4pm in Wien Hall Lounge

For more information about the EcoRep Give + Go Green sale, click here!

Computing

Here at Columbia we have approximately 30,000 computers in our dorm rooms, offices and labs. By conservative estimates, these computers consume 3.5 million kWh of electricity each year, resulting in the release of more than 4.5 million pounds of CO² into the atmosphere. If these computers aren't properly recycled at the end of their useful lives, their toxins may contaminate soil and water.

Be sure your computer is environmentally friendly by bringing it to CUIT on check-in:

CUIT will staff a "Greening Station" in the Carman Lounge during Orientation Week to help students save energy by giving assistance with the power management settings. You can also receive help greening your computer at the CUIT Client Service Center at 102 Philosophy Hall.

Let a professional set your computer to be more environmentally friendly and be entered for a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to the great, local restaurant Community Food & Juice!

Click here to get more information from Environmental Stewardship about sustainable computing on Columbia's campus.

Looking for a sustainable computer?

• Click here for Apple
• Here for Dell
• Here for HP

General Tidbits

Columbia's Guide to Green Living (G2GL) is a great resource to conserve energy and a great guide to a more sustainable dorm life.

Also! Don't forget to collect your FREE, beautiful water bottle from Environmental Stewardship. Keep your eye out for the aluminum bottles to create instant bottled water and preserve the environment!

Recycling

A lot of garbage gets generated during move-in, and we'd like you to help us reduce, reuse and, most importantly, recycle as soon as you get on campus. Here's a list below of the things that can be recycled (taken from NYC.gov):

• white, colored, and glossy paper (staples OK)
• mail and envelopes (window envelopes OK)
• wrapping paper (remove ribbon and tape)
• smooth cardboard (food boxes — remove inside & outside plastic wrappers — shoe boxes, tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls, cardboard from product packaging)
• paper bags
• cardboard egg cartons and trays
• newspapers, magazines, and catalogs
• phone books, softcover books (paperbacks, comic books, etc.; no spiral bindings)
• corrugated cardboard (flattened boxes)