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Turn Down the Lights

Coming Fall 2021 The "Turn Down the Lights" initiative encourages the students, faculty, and staff of Northern Michigan University to be more conscious of their energy consumption. Each semester the EcoReps host an event challenging the buildings - and people - on campus to reduce their energy consumption and ultimately their carbon footprint.


Tips to save energy on your own:
  • Unplug electronic devices you aren’t using. If your phone is fully charged, unplug it!
  • Turn off the lights when you leave the room, even if they are motion sensor. Also, turn off or dim the lights when it’s bright outside and use the natural light.
  • Exchange incandescent light bulbs for more energy efficient fluorescent or LED ones.
  • Take shorter, cooler showers.

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Fix-It Friday

Coming Fall 2021 ~The “Fix it Friday” initiative focuses on material culture and changing the way people think about the objects they own, especially clothing. Instead of throwing out clothes with a tear or missing button, the EcoReps want to help you fix it! On the first Friday of every month, the EcoReps use the window in Jamrich to help students repair items.


By fixing what you have, you:
  • Save money from not buying a replacement
  • Prevent waste from entering a landfill and contributing to the pollution crisis
  • Gain new and useful skills

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Tune-Up Tuesdays

Coming Fall 2021~The “Tune up Tuesday” initiative provides quick fixes for bicycles during the fall and spring. The goal of the initiative is to encourage the NMU community to start or continue utilizing alternative transportation. By walking or biking to and around campus and local areas, students can lower their carbon emissions and get exercise.

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Sustainability Workshop Series

Coming Fall 2021 ~ The “Sustainability Workshop Series” is organized by the EcoReps to provide education and hands-on activities for all three aspects of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. Topics range from composting to minimalism, and seek to address all the different ways one can practice a sustainable existence.

Cold is Cool Campaign

The "Cold is Cool" campaign encourages students, and everyone for that matter, to be weary of their carbon footprint [pawprint] during seemingly innocent household tasks like doing the laundry. If you wash your clothes with cold water versus warm water, you can cut back on emissions by 90%! What is so crazy about that, is the fact that using warm water to wash your clothes is of no greater benefit to your clothes as cold water is. Cold water and cold water detergents decrease the setting of stains as well as the shrinking of clothes!

Look for the posters in your laundry room in campus residence hall or apartment!

Want to learn about more ways to conserve energy when doing the laundry?

Here are some tips brought to you by the Alliance to Save Energy:

  • Do full loads of laundry. Filling up your washing machine with water requires energy, and it’s a waste if done for a partial load.
  • Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate and gently worn clothes don't need as long of a wash cycle as soiled, sturdy clothes.
  • Clean the dryer lint filter after every load. A lint-free filter improves air circulation and quickens drying, whereas a clogged filter and vent can cause a home fire.
  • Separate light and heavy items before drying. Lightweight items take less drying time, so don’t waste dryer time by throwing your undergarments and t-shirts in with your towels and rugs.
  • Don't over-dry clothes. Take clothes out while they are still slightly damp to reduce the need for ironing — another energy user. If your dryer has an auto-dry feature, use that instead of the timer.