A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at �� Boulder

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:26:26 +0000

A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at �� Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 10/12/2025 - 18:26

The key to being a sustainable college student is finding balance through the accessible actions that fit into my day and create positive impact. Over time, I’ve learned that sustainability isn’t all or nothing. I think of my efforts as a mix of learning from �� Boulder’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.

Learning from �� Boulder’s sustainability community

This mindset sank in through Environmental Center events. At America Recycles Day, I received Tupperware and metal straws that quickly replaced single-use items. What felt like a small change became a reminder that reducing waste often starts simply. Volunteering at Ralphie’s Green Stampede made this lesson tangible by seeing the volume of waste produced at a single game. It emphasized the importance of our mindset about what we consume.

Routines add up

In daily life, these ideas show up in small habits. I start my day by filling my reusable water bottle, saving over 150 plastic bottles a year. I take the Buff Bus instead of driving, which helps get me further on campus, avoids the stress of parking, and saves money. These small choices help both the planet and my budget. On campus, sustainability shows up everywhere. At Folsom Field, Ralphie’s Green Stampede sorts trash after games, proving sustainability can be woven into traditions people already love. Even as Boulder’s composting rules change, �� and Ralphie’s Green Stampede community keep adapting.

Sustainable choices make memories

Off campus, sustainability blends into my social life. My friends and I use BCycles when going out, and some of the best memories come from those rides; even biking uphill on a half-dead BCycle feels worth it. Choosing the sustainable option can add to the experience, not take away from it.

Progress over perfection

Of course, I’m not perfect. There are days I forget my reusable water bottle or grab takeout in plastic containers. �� Boulder’s sustainability culture has shown me that it’s not about perfection, it’s about weaving sustainable choices into daily life. Sustainability here isn’t a separate “to-do list” for students. It’s built into the free bus rides, B-Cycles, Ralphies Green Stampede, and everyday conversations. In those ordinary, everyday life choices, sustainability becomes less about guilt and more about being a part of something bigger. Join the community today by signing the Sustainable Buffs Pledge.

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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Ralphie's Green Stampede spring semester recap

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Ralphie's Green Stampede spring semester recap Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/11/2022 - 00:00

Ralphie’s Green Stampede, a partnership between the �� Environmental Center, �� Athletics and Facilities Management, completed another successful basketball season. Ralphie’s Green Stampede had student volunteers at more than 20 men's and women's basketball games in the 2021-22 season. Volunteers educated Buffs fans about zero waste and how to be a sustainable Buff at home, work and play. RGS also helped achieve a record 91% diversion rate at the Buffs’ final home game against Arizona.

Zero Waste students (left to right) Moe, Emily and Maytal pose at a sustainability table at the �� Events Center
for the 2022 green basketball game. More than 200 fans visited the sustainability table at the green game.

At the sustainability table, fans could take a pledge to reduce their environmental impact and play a recycling
game in order to win prizes like bamboo utensils, water bottles, t-shirts made from recycled water bottles and bike
lights. Here an RGS student, Claire, and RGS program manager, Angie, hand out prizes.

At the sustainability table, Environmental Center student Maytal taught both Colorado and Arizona fans about
proper recycling sorting by having them play a game modeled on corn hole.

After the games �� Recycling students sort and audit all the waste from the game on folding tables at the event
center in order to minimize the waste sent to landfills.

At our green game, the Buffs’ upset win over Arizona on Feb. 26, we diverted 91% of the waste from landfills,
including 1,200lbs of bottles and cans for recycling and 1,500lbs of organic waste sent to a compost yard.

At sorts, �� Recycling students like Makayla (left), work with �� Athletics staff like sustainability coordinator
Alex Hoots (right) to audit the waste from concessions staff to ensure that they are following proper sorting
procedures. Students follow up with training for staff.

Ralphie’s Green Stampede MVP Lucas (center-left) poses with four of the volunteers he recruited and trained
this season to help make �� basketball zero waste.

Ralphie’s Green Stampede, a partnership between the �� Environmental Center, �� Athletics and Facilities Management, has completed another successful basketball season.

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volunteering

A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at �� Boulder

Learning from �� Boulder’s sustainability community

Routines add up

Sustainable choices make memories

Progress over perfection

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A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at ���������� Boulder

Learning from ���������� Boulder’s sustainability community

Routines add up

Sustainable choices make memories

Progress over perfection

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A Day in the Life of a Sustainable College Student at �� Boulder

Learning from �� Boulder’s sustainability community