SUSTAINABILIty

When living off campus in Gainesville it is easy to do “your part” in making the community a better place to live, especially when it comes to being sustainable.

Sustainability is often defined as, “meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

Sustainability is a framework which ensures social justice, equity and diversity; environmental protection, conservation and resource efficiency; and economic viability and vitality are factors in thinking critically about our decisions and lifestyles. The UF Office of Sustainability works with campus stakeholders to generate knowledge, acquire skills, develop values, and initiate practices that contribute to a sustainable, high quality of life on campus and across the Gator Nation. Visit their website for more information at sustainable.ufl.edu.

Here are some things you can do in your daily life to be sustainable:

Buy local
Recycle
Reduce waste
Reduce your electric use
Take shorter showers
Use compact fluorescent light-bulbs
Use non-toxic cleaners
Bike, walk, use the bus, or carpool

So you want to be more sustainable and recycle but aren’t sure how to go about it? More tips for recycling, learning what's recyclable, reducing gas consumption and saving on utilities are available in the Gator Guide to Off Campus Life.