Sustainable Buffs' Top Tips to Kick off the School Year

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:26:26 +0000

Sustainable Buffs' Top Tips to Kick off the School Year Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/03/2026 - 18:26

Sustainability at CU �鶹ӰԺ isn’t another item to add to your to-do list—it’s already woven into everyday campus life. From your morning coffee to how you get around campus and spend time with friends, small choices can help you save money, reduce waste, and connect with a community of Buffs creating positive change. As Sustainable Buff Sofiya puts it, “I’ve learned that sustainability isn’t all or nothing. I think of my efforts as a mix of learning from CU �鶹ӰԺ’s sustainability community, building daily habits that add up, and making meaningful choices that align with my values, all with a focus on progress over perfection.”

Routine swaps with simple sustainable habits

For most students, it’s phone, wallet, keys, backpack, then out the door for classes.

With simple swaps and preparation, you can stretch your budget and make a sustainable impact. CU is doing its part by swapping to recyclables in all campus vending machines. Learn more about that and how CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Recycling Operations Center works, check out this video.

This semester, the Alferd Packer Grill and SEEC Cafe are launching new reusable to-go containers! This will cut down on single-use waste as well as provide convenience for busy CU students.

Looking for even more ways to make sustainability part of your routine? Schedule a free EcoVisit. During this peer-to-peer walkthrough, another student will share practical tips for living more sustainably in your residence hall or apartment, and you'll receive free sustainability essentials to help you get started.

Sustainability between classes

Some of the best sustainability experiences at CU happen outside the classroom. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and campus events through the Environmental Center that make it easy to build new skills, meet other students, and make a positive impact. For many students like Sofiya, these choices become part of the memories they make in college.

“My friends and I use BCycles when going out, and some of the best memories come from those rides. Choosing the sustainable option can add to the experience, not take away from it.”

Whether you prefer to take the bus with your BuffOne card, bike our Platinum-rated trails, zoom around CU with Lime scooters, or car-share to and from campus, there is a sustainable mobility option for you! Learn more about the rules to maintain a safe and sustainable campus cycling community. Don’t forget to wear your helmet and have fun!

Remember, Progress over Perfection

You can’t always make the most sustainable choice, and that’s okay.

Being a Sustainable Buff is about making routine choices that add up to a larger collective impact, especially when the CU community acts collectively. Whether you are volunteering with Ralphie’s Green Stampede at football games, participating in Bike Fest, or joining CUSG’s Environmental Board, there’s an opportunity at every level to join the Sustainable Buffs herd.

The key to being a sustainable college student is finding balance through the accessible actions that fit into my day and create positive impact.

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Students and community partners keep thousands of items out of landfill

Jenna Morrow — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:25:57 +0000

Students and community partners keep thousands of items out of landfill Jenna Morrow Fri, 10/10/2025 - 13:25

Each move-out season brings a surge of unwanted items as students transition out of �鶹ӰԺ’s rental housing. To reduce waste and support reuse, CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Off-Campus Life (OCL) and the Environmental Center partnered with the City of �鶹ӰԺ, �鶹ӰԺ Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA), and local Zero Waste organizations for a coordinated effort to collect reusable items and divert materials from the landfill.

In 2025, five drop-off stations were set up on the Hill during both spring (May 11–14) and summer (July 31–August 3) move-out periods. Stations were located at 11th & Penn, 13th & Euclid, 15th & Euclid, 10th & College, and 12th & Aurora—with Aurora and 12th proving most popular in the spring, collecting 339 items, and 15th and Euclid taking the lead in the summer with 350 items.

Across both events, students and community partners made a measurable impact.

Spring 2025: 11.9 tons were sent to the landfill, while 5.145 tons were diverted, achieving a 30% diversion rate.

Summer 2025: 22.92 tons went to the landfill and 6.5 tons were diverted, for a 22% diversion rate.

Together, these efforts kept over 11 tons of materials out of the landfill in just two move-out periods. Volunteers and staff supported 43 pickups, sorted donations, and ensured items were properly managed at each site.

Looking ahead, OCL, the Environmental Center, and community partners are exploring ways to expand collection efforts into additional neighborhoods while keeping the program financially and environmentally sustainable.

Want to help?
Be part of the move-out solution next year! Whether volunteering with the Environmental Center, donating before trashing items, or shopping reused at local partners like Resource Central and CU’s Surplus Store, every action helps keep �鶹ӰԺ cleaner and more sustainable.

To reduce waste and support reuse, CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Off-Campus Life (OCL) and the Environmental Center partnered with the City of �鶹ӰԺ, �鶹ӰԺ Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA), and local Zero Waste organizations for a coordinated effort to collect reusable items and divert materials from the landfill.