Sustainable Living

Sustainability can be interpreted and defined in many different ways. Different sources define the word sustainability as the capacity or ability to endure; durability; permanence.

The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainability as “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (1987)

• How Can You Lead a Sustainable Lifestyle?
  Living a sustainable lifestyle is easy! Here are some ideas to get you started in our residence hall communities:

  • Replace inefficient lightbulbs in your lamps with more efficient ad energy-saving bulbs.

  • Turn off all lights when you leave the room.

  • Or – even better – use a power strip and flip the strip off when you leave the room.

  • Clean using products with non-toxic ingredients 

  • Try participating in Meatless Monday 

  • Visit a local Farmer’s Market (there is one on campus every Wednesday!)

  • Shop at environmentally sustainable businesses.

  • Ask your RA to request a recycle bag for your suite! At FIU, you can recycle:

    • Plastic bottles

    • Glass bottles and jars

    • Aluminum, steel & tin cans

    • Newspaper & magazines

    • Office & School paper

    • Paperboard (cereal & snack boxes)

    • Cardboard

• Why Practice Sustainability in the Residence Halls?

  • It saves energy and energy costs it takes to grow, harvest, or manufacture products.

  • It conserves natural resources such as water, soil, metals, fuels, and forests.

  • It helps protect the environment by minimizing the introduction of harmful substances into waterways and waste streams.

  • It keeps fees and costs to students lower due to reduction in water and electricity.

• Residence Hall Recycling Program

  Recycling bags are provided to all residents when they check into their residence hall. We hope that by providing these bags it will make it easier for our residents to recycle every single day!

• The Dream Machine at Lakeview North

  The Dream Machine at Lakeview North is a way to earn rewards while you recycle! Once you sign up and create an account at the Dream Machine, you will receive points every time you recycle a bottle or can. You can redeem those points online for coupons to local restaurants, movie theaters, and stores!

• Sustainability LLC
  The Sustainability Living-Learning Community welcomes upperclassmen students who are interested in learning how to personally live in a manner that supports ecologically, socially and economically healthy environments.