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So you’re already running late for classes and overwhelmed with homework? You’re meeting new people and plugging back into your school’s gossip network? Well – welcome back to school! As you enter the new academic year don’t forget some easy steps you can take to make your environment a better, greener place for all.
1. Print efficiently: It would be great to minimize printing completely but even if you can’t do that there are three things you can do to minimize the impact on the environment. First, always use duplex printing – in fact make it the default setting on your printer so that you don’t have to think twice about it. Second, if you’re printing something that doesn’t need to be handed in – grab some used paper lying around and print on the other side. Third, start using recycled paper yourself and petition your school’s computer lab to start doing the same. It costs just a little more than regular paper but is significantly better for the environment.

2. Unplug appliances: We all do it – leave appliances that aren’t being used plugged into outlets. But, what most of us don’t know is that these appliances even when in a turned off state actually consume electricity – aptly called vampire power. Power consumption on some devices can be as high as 10 to 15 watts and recent studies have estimated that this adds up to between 5-10% of your total household electricity consumption. The good news is that you don’t need to chew garlic to fight this vampire – simply unplug them when not in use to not only help the environment but also save with lower electricity bills.

3. Use CFL lamps: While the US government is mandating for this to happen by 2014, there is no reason you shouldn’t get a head start. It takes less than five minutes, but switching from regular incandescent lamps to compact florescent lamps (CFL’s) will not only benefit the environment but also save you money. In fact, CFL’s use 20-33% of the power of equivalent incandescent lamps and have a rated life of 8-15x longer. And while the cost of a CFL is higher than that of an incandescent lamp, the lower energy usage means that a household that spends around $100 to switch 30 fixtures to CFL’s could save almost $1000 in electricity bills over the five year life of the bulbs. So track down the incandescent lights and start saving!