Green Living Guide
Green Living Guide
UNC Charlotte is committed to fostering a culture of sustainability. As a student, you can support our community by finding sustainable ways to use materials, conserve energy, make food choices, get around, and engage on campus. This guide from the Office of Sustainability offers practical tips to help you get started on your sustainable journey.
Recycle often
Use the Waste Wizard
Not sure what can be recycled on campus? The online Waste Wizard is a tool to get quick answers about specific items: what is trash, and where to put recyclables.
Sort Smart
Know your bins—indoor recycling stations have bins for trash, containers, and paper. Residence halls have more options in recycling rooms, and several locations across campus have Weird Recycling Centers for items like electronics waste.
Donate or Swap
Look for campus collection events to donate gently used clothing, dorm items, or nonperishable food, especially at the end of each semester.
Go Reusable
Reduce your waste and save money by avoiding single-use items. Develop habits for using reusable water bottles, mugs, bags, or utensils. Enjoy our dining halls, where we can wash your dishes and compost any leftovers, and where, if you need takeout, you can borrow a reusable OZZI container to use and return.
Save water
Reduce Water Waste
Turn off faucets while brushing or shaving. Be mindful of the flow or time in the shower.
Run Full Loads of Laundry or Dishes
Maximize efficiency by waiting to run your laundry or dishwasher until you have a full load.
Conserve energy
Embrace Natural Light
Open your curtains or blinds and tap into our free daylight. This not only saves energy but can also enhance your well-being. Remember to turn off electric lights in empty rooms.
Mind the Calendar
Adjust your wardrobe for the seasons and keep your thermostat cooler in the cold season and warmer in the hot season.
Manage Electronics
Unplug the devices that suck electricity when turned off, including chargers, screens, and coffee makers. Power strips are easier than unplugging.
Eat Mindfully
Dine for Your Health
Explore new foods, diets, and cooking with advice from campus dieticians. Our dining halls offer small plate sizes that encourage mindful eating, allowing you to return for seconds if desired.
Dine for the Planet
The planet will be less polluted if you eat more plants and less meat, throw out less food, and cut back on the single-use takeout containers.
Support Food Security
The Student Pantry offers free groceries and household items for students facing food insecurity. Consider volunteering at or donating to the Pantry to support your fellow Niners.
Shop Local
Seek out products from local farmers at farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and some campus events. Our dining halls also prioritize sourcing seasonal, local foods when available.
Transport lightly
Know Your Modes
UNC Charlotte is designed for a variety of transportation options, including walking, biking, scootering, boarding, bus, paratransit, light rail, cars, and trucks. Experiment to find the combination that works best for your schedule and preferences, benefiting both yourself and the environment.
Access Your All-Access Pass
Students have an All-Access Pass for unlimited rides on Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) services, including city buses and the light rail trains. Use the CATS-Pass app for your ticket and to plan your trips. City buses and trains also have convenient racks for bicycles.
Roll Your Way
Bring your bike, scooter, or board to roll your own, or sign up to use the shared e-bike and e-scooter program. Please wear a helmet, and lock your gear securely at our 2,000+ bikerack spaces across campus. If you drive to campus, bike lockers are available in parking decks to store your bike on campus.
Ride Our Way
Take advantage of the free bus service with multiple routes connecting the campus. Track Niner Transit buses and stops using the Passio Go! app. If you drive to campus, Niner Transit stops will be nearby to help you complete the trip. If you are on a bike, you can put it on the front rack to hop on the bus.
Commute and Recreate
Utilize the paved multi-use trails for walking, running, or rolling to get to or across campus, or simply to enjoy the outdoors. The campus interactive map can help you locate trails on campus, and the county has maps for greenways, including the 10.5 miles connected to the Toby Creek Greenway through campus. Be aware that most greenways lack lighting for nighttime travel.
Engage Deeply
Join the Gatherings
Discover opportunities to learn more and connect at campus events year-round, especially during Campus Sustainability Month (October) and Earth Month (April). Traditional events include Earth Day Festival, Student Sustainability Summit, Transportation Fair, Campus Beautification Day, and Student Garden Day.
Follow the Leaders
Explore the many general and specialized organizations dedicated to sustainability on campus and in the community. If you have an idea to share, know that the Charlotte Green Initiative can help students fund projects and events.