Going green is a trend that seems to be picking up speed. You can see the signs everywhere. Many neighborhoods have recyclable trash cans. Restaurants are showing calories next to the food on the menu. Also in 2011 the organic food industry outpaced the rest comparable nonorganic foods for the first time.

It’s time for ULM to go green as well. That applies to the students and the people in power.

To our fellow students, there is only so much we can do, at least those of us living on campus. One of those things any student can do is not leave their TV on all night or while you are in class. The same applies to lights. Both don’t help anything inside of an empty room.

Secondly, turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth or washing your face. The average faucet uses about two or three gallons per minute that you waste just letting it run for those few minutes.

Lastly, students should unplug any chargers when they aren’t being used.  Turning them off is not enough because chargers will still suck out energy.

As for the school, having more recyclable bins would be appreciated. There are a few places to recycle on campus, like the bottle shaped bins in the SUB, but that is not enough.

Many people need to throw away bottled beverages when they aren’t in the SUB. Putting a recyclable trash can near dorms or other high traffic areas would make recycling easier.

Telling employees not to print a receipt unless asked would also save trees.

These are just a few examples we as a school can do. Even if only a minority of campus recycles, that minority matters.