Sustainability Guide
Freshman year orientation introduces you to college life. You learn about groups, clubs, services, tutoring, how to find your classes, where to buy books and how to succeed in college. But where can you learn about making a lighter environmental impact on your new home? On campus sustainability projects and companies in the greater Reno area provide green services that are easy to access for college students.
Transportation
Whether you have a car or not using public transportation or a bike in Reno is a cheap and easy way to get around. Riding your bike to school saves you money on gas and allows you to ride straight to the doorway of your class building instead of parking and trekking across campus. Some places to get a good deal on a bike are College Cyclery, Bicycle Bananas and Reno Bike Project. If you need a ride downtown the RTC Sierra Spirit takes you from campus to downtown for free. The service operates every day, every ten minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Recycling
UNR recycles aluminum, glass, plastic, paper and cardboard. Recycling containers are in every building on campus. You can take the initiative to not only recycle but to use less and think about what you’re putting in the trash. Reusable bottles, coffee mugs and bags save money and use fewer resources. Use less, reuse materials, buy products made from recycled content and recycle everything you can. Learn more at University of Nevada Recycling.
Food and Drink
If you are not living in the dorms and dependent on dorm food (or even if you are and want a change) there are delicious places to eat close to the university. More restaurants in Reno are teaming with sustainable farmers to bring local food to diners. Some of the best and closest restaurants are Daughters Café, Imperial Bar and Lounge, LuLou’s Restaurant, Pneumatic Diner, Sezmu Restaurant, Bibo Coffee Co., 4th Street Bistro, Dish Café and Se7en Tea House and Bar. For grocery shopping stop by the Great Basin Community Co-op, a short bike or bus ride away from campus.
Shopping
Buying new clothes on a college budget is challenging not only on your wallet but also on the environment. But sometimes you need things. Luckily thrift and consignment stores abound in the Reno area and many are close to UNR. Some of the best places to buy clothes second hand are Plato’s Closet, Junkee, Saver’s and St. Vincent Thrift Shop. If you want to buy new clothes head to the Patagonia Outlet, REI, Sierra Trading Post, The Melting Pot World Emporium and look for organic cotton and bamboo products in other stores.
Health and Beauty
Many health and beauty services and products are some of the worst environmental offenders. Carcinogenic and toxic chemicals fill many of the most popular beauty products (even Men’s products). For hair cuts and dies go to salons that use non-toxic products like A Salon 7 and L’Essence Day Spa and Salon. Check the safety of your cosmetics and beauty products at Skin Deep and find better, healthier options.
Get Involved!
Spread the word and join on campus environmental groups like EnAcT and community organizations that make a difference. Nevada Econet offers a complete Green Guide to Reno, look under their organizations and agencies to find many opportunities to volunteer. Finally keep your eyes open for a campus green guide coming out Fall 2010.