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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 CU 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 CU Boulder’s sustainability community

This mindset sank in through��. 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,��CU 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�� when going out, and some of the best memories come from those rides; even biking uphill on a half-dead�� 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.��CU 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.��