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Student volunteers plant flowers on the grounds of a local retirement community.

Everyone

Download Cornell's Sustainability Guide (pdf)

  • Your building: Track your building's energy and resource use at the Tracking Your Facility's Resource Use page.
  • Your computer: Visit the Cornell Computing Directors' website to learn how you can change your computer setting to save energy.
  • Your Printer
    • Use recycled toner cartridges for laser printers.
    • Print double sided and on 100% post-consumer paper.
    • Turn off the printer when not in use.
  • Reduce paper use:
    • Lower consumption by emailing drafts, notes, and newsletters instead of printing them.
    • Make your own notepads using scrap paper.
    • Edit documents online instead of printing drafts.
    • Reduce your margins when printing.
  • Travel mug: Remember to bring your non-disposable mug whenever you leave home. Many stores give a discount if you use a travel mug.
  • Let your voice be heard:
    • Write a letter to the editor about a sustainability issue that you care about.
    • Lobby congress. Visit these websites to prepare for a lobbying appointment: Speakout.com: tips for effective activism; Project VoteSmart: know your representatives.
    • Vote! Click here to learn about your candidate's environmental voting records.
  • In the store: use these online tools to inform your purchasing decisions:
  • Measure your Ecological Footprint
  • In the Mail
    • Packaging Peanuts: Call the Peanut Hotline to learn where the nearest packing peanut recycling center is located. 1-800-828-2214
    • Junk Mail: Fill out this online form to decrease your junk mail
  • In Transit: Take advantage of Cornell's many transportation options.
  • In your house:
    • Visit New York State Electric and Gas's website to learn how you can reduce your energy bills and use energy most efficiently.
    • Start a compost bin at home. Cornell Cooperative Extension offers several fact sheets on composting.
    • Grow a garden and turn your yard into a wildlife habitat.
    • Become a member of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which links consumers to local farmers. For more information click here (pdf) —note: this pamphlet has a nice description of CSAs, but the farm information is outdated. For current information call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-272-2292.
    • On Campus:

Students:

  • Join In! There are many student groups who are in need of enthusiastic new members. Here is a list of meeting times and places for several organizations. Your participation is welcome! Click here for more information.
  • Student Guide:
    • Check out this brochure (pdf) and discover many ways you can contribute to sustainability.
  • In class:
    • Ask your professors if you can submit electronically via email or blackboard.
    • Inform yourself by taking courses related to sustainability.
  • In the library: Change your net-print default so that you don't print a cover sheet by going to CIT's web page. Go to "Manage Your Account " on the right-hand side of the page and select the Banner Page Option as "No banner page".
  • In your dorm or apartment: Make sure to turn off and unplug appliances during school break.
  • In the Dining Hall: Avoid using disposable food containers. Keep your eyes out for local, organic, and fair trade foods.
  • Get outside: Ithaca has dozens of beautiful places. Get to know the many natural areas on and off campus and join in the many outdoor activities, including your very own Student Farm!

Faculty and Staff:

  • Join in!
  • Get in touch with a student group to see how you can assist them or even become a faculty advisor
  • In class:
    • Encourage electronic submission via email or Blackboard.
    • Inform your students and advisees about Cornell's sustainable campus efforts and encourage them to get involved.
  • In the department:
    • Encourage your department purchaser to buy 100% post-consumer paper.
    • Engage colleagues in discussions on sustainability.