Be Green

We continue to explore ways in which we can inspire and motivate you to be conscientious green citizens on a day-to-day basis.This is reflected from the beginning of your term in in the content of orientation sessions, and throughout your study abroad experience in our communications with you.A variety of programs have been instituted to offer you the opportunity to be involved – here are just a few.

Sustainability Lecture Series

Lectures in the series happen once a semester and bring prominent intellectual figures to Foundation House to bring their ideas around sustainability to all FIE students. Accessible to the whole FIE learning community, these speakers address innovative solutions to our current social, economic, and environmental dilemmas and give FIE student insight and access into ways they can get involved themselves and make a difference, opening up new possibilities and ways of thinking about our responsibility as citizens in a global sense.

Student Competitions

On occastion, students have the opportunity to participate in an environmental challenge.Challenges are different for each residence.The possible challenges are as follows:

Students often comment on the prominence of environmental discussions in the U.K.media.To encourage students to think more deeply on this subject, an essay competition may being held asking students to reflect on the differences between British and American attitudes toward environmental issues.The top five essayists will receive dinner at a local restaurant.
In order to inspire prudent energy consumption by FIE students, the flat to consume the least amount of energy per person by the end of classes may also be rewarded with a special prize.

Cheap (and Green!) London

Each week you will receive a Cheap London e-mail from the Student Life office, which now contains a Green Tip-O-The-Week, like links to great walking maps of the city, events featuring sustainable issues, or information about what carbon off-setting actually means.

Reusable Tote Bags

During orientation you will receive a fun, reusable cotton tote bag and asked to use it rather than amassing plastic shopping bags when you go shopping.You can feel good about carrying this lightweight bag.

Be More Environmentally and Ethically Responsible

Save Energy

  • Turn off the lights and any electronics when they’re not in use.
  • Don’t leave appliances on standby – turn them off instead!
  • Turn off your laptops or switch them to hibernate rather than standby.
  • Unplug or switch off chargers and any electronics/appliances with battery packs (i.e. a laptop) at the wall because they continue to consume energy even if they’re not connected to the device they power.
  • Wash clothes on the lowest temperature setting and only when you have a full load.
  • Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need.

Save Water

  • Turn off the taps completely.
  • Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth or do the dishes.
  • Take showers rather than baths.

Reduce Waste

  • Be careful not to waste food by watching expiry dates, freezing leftovers, sharing excess with others, and not leaving food out to spoil.
  • Support your local charity shop by donating old items and buying “anew” from them.
  • Buy products in bulk or with as little packaging as possible.
  • Bring your own shopping bag/tote (a backpack is much easier to carry!).
  • Reuse any plastic bags and recycle products.
  • Use a water filter and re-fill a good quality, reusable bottle rather than buying bottled water.

Reduce Consumption of Toxic or Polluting Products

  • Buy and use rechargeable batteries.
  • Use eco-friendly laundry detergents, cleaning products (e.g. Ecover) and cosmetics/toiletries.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Live More Ethically

  • Walk or use public transport rather than taxis where possible.
  • Try traveling by train instead of airplane.
  • Buy local and organic produce, and use this as an excuse to frequent the many farmers’ markets in London.
  • Eat less meat and fish.
  • Volunteer and give back to the community.

MONEY SAVER Tip:

  • To save energy, air-dry your clothes on a clothes rack and with hangers rather than using the drier.
  • To reduce waste, cook in your kitchen and avoid heavily packaged and single-serving meals.