Campus Sustainablity Month

Colorado School of Mines

Mines is proud to participate in Campus Sustainability Month throughout October. This annual event, hosted by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), celebrates higher education sustainability achievements while raising awareness of the value of sustainable behavior while on campus. Mines recently received a GOLD rating from AASHE for its 2024 sustainability report. To celebrate Campus Sustainability Month, the Sustainability Office will partner with other organizations on campus to host sustainability events in October. 

 

Sustainability Events:

Sustainable Careers Night

The Mines Career Center is hosts an annual Sustainability Careers Panel in October to help students and recent graduates learn about potential career paths in various companies, organizations, and industries related to sustainability. The event will consist of panelist questions, audience Q&A, followed by a networking portion of the event. Learn from experts and explore if a career in sustainability is a fit for you. Additional companies not on panel will join the networking section. All students and recent grads are welcome, and food will be provided! Check the Daily Blast in Sept. and Oct. for more event details.

Residence Hall Challenge

The Sustainability Office, in partnership with McKinstry, is hosting a challenge to see which residence hall can save the most energy during the month of October. Practice the energy saving tips on this page to help your residence hall win. The residence hall that saves the most energy wins a late night food party!

TBD

Sustainability Tips:

Save Energy

  • Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use (a powerstrip makes this easy)
  • Look for the EnergyStar label when purchasing computers, appliances, and other equipment
  • Switch to LED lighting, which uses much less energy to operate and lasts longer
  • Open blinds for natural light during the day
  • Turn off lights and equipment when leaving a room!
  • Reduce your room’s heating and cooling by 4 degrees
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Save Water

  • Wash full loads of clothes using cold water
  • Take shorter showers (around 5 minutes)
  • Report water leaks to your RA or facilities staff
  • Turn off water when brushing your teeth
  • Saving water saves energy (20% of all electrical energy is used for pumping, treatment, and transport of water)
  • Measure your water usage.

More detailed information is found below.

    • Check out our 11 tips for conserving water here!

 

Reduce Waste

    • Learn to RECYCLE RIGHT! This is an important one. Our vendor only allows 10% contamination rate. If the bin is too contaminated, they take it to landfill.
    • Use reusable water bottles, containers, utensils and shopping bags
    • Make sure your room or office has a recycle bin
    • Purchase products with recyclable packaging or no packaging
    • Consider donating old goods or thrifting
    • Try out zero waste cleaning methods such as lemon rind, salt, baking soda and vinegar
    • Learn about commercial composting services at Mines
    • Find out if your community has a compost drop site or services
    • Learn more about home composting benefits from the EPA

Sustainable Transportation

  • Walk or bike whenever possible
  • Carpool with friends and share a parking pass
  • Take the bus/lightrail one or more days per week
  • Consider buying an electric vehicle or more fuel-efficient gas vehicle
  • Explore working remotely one or two days per week
  • Okay to combine some of these!
  • Calculate your carbon footprint

Sustainability Resources