Coming and going green.

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WHY WAIT UNTIL STUDENTS ARE ON CAMPUS TO BEGIN TEACHING THEM HOW TO LIVE IN AN environmentally sustainable manner? After many students at St. Lawrence University (N.Y.) scored poorly on voluntary green living audits, Sustainability Coordinator Louise Gava developed a back-to-school shopping guide to help them start their college career in a green way. "We realized it wasn't fair to tell them about it after they are here," explains Macreena Doyle, associate director of university communications. "We should give them guidance ahead of time." The list includes simple tips, including recommendations to check with your roommate before buying supplies and get an Energy Star-rated mini-fridge.

While St. Lawrence freshmen are learning the tricks, upperclassmen are old hands at leaving items in the Reuse Trailer instead of the dumpster during move-out week. The items are sold at low prices during the next move-in week, offsetting the program's costs. The three-year-old program has been so popular, a residence hall basement has been converted into the "Re-Cellar," open year-round. "These programs are good for the environment and the wallet," sums up Doyle.