College dorms and apartments don’t exactly have a stellar reputation for cleanliness.
This is a shame, because one simple way to get ready for finals is to do a little spring cleaning. If you clean up your space, it can also free up space in your mind. As the first LEED registered community designed for students at USC, West 27th Place would like to help you get your green spring clean on. Here are some easy tips:
Reuse or Sell it.
One way to reduce waste is to reduce consumption. Reusing something rather than throwing it away is one of the greenest ways to clean. If you can’t reuse it, can you sell it? Before putting your old stuff in a landfill, sell it. Retail outlets like Target are even starting buyback programs where they pay for your old electronics. Instead of pitching that old iPod – sell it to Target. Also, think about your cleaning supplies as reusable products. Trade paper towels for reusable microfiber cloths and ditch the Swiffer Sweeper for a broom.
Recycle it.
If you can’t reuse, recycle it. As a college student, a lot of your clutter is actually recyclable. Here’s a list of the things that might be clutter up your space that the city of L.A. will recycle: newspaper, cardboard, corrugated boxes, cardboard cereal & cracker boxes, 6-pack cartons, brown grocery bags, magazines, glossy paper, junk mail, stationery & envelopes, binder/notebook paper, any color plastic, glass, aluminum cans, jars (empty & rinsed), microwave food trays and frozen food boil-in-bag pouches. Use those blue bins!
Donate it.
Your oldies are another’s goodies. Think of all of last year’s fashions and somebody’s new wardrobe. There are a slew of great places that you can donate last year’s spring line to: St. Vincent De Paul, The Salvation Army, and the tried-and-true Goodwill.
Make your own cleaning supplies.
Buying eco-friendly cleaning supplies is a good start, but for a truly green clean, make your own cleaners. Yes, it’s time-consuming but it’s worth it. You’ll bypass the resources that go into production, shipping, and purchasing. Many cleaning recipes are just a combination of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. How easy is that? Don’t just do it for the planet – do it for yourself. Think of all the toxins you won’t be inhaling. The Naturally Clean Home is a cool book with over 150 easy recipes for green cleaning.
Do your part to make USC student housing a bit greener this year and make your spring clean a green clean. Clear that clutter and get ready for finals. Good luck!
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