Sustainability

Sustainable On-Campus Living

Residence Life is committed to supporting efforts to make UCCS sustainable. UCCS is committed to eliminating its energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By becoming a student at UCCS, you are now part of the mission. It is all about the choices you make because they have an effect on our campus community. In each of the Housing Facilities, there are waste containers as well as single stream recycling containers. 

• In Summit Village and the Village at Alpine Valley, the containers for both waste and recycling are located on each floor and are emptied every day of the workweek.
• In Alpine Apartments (Shavano, Crestone, and Antero Houses), residents are responsible for emptying their room's recycling and waste and taking it to the containers that are located outside of the Crestone and Shavano Houses. Plastic grocery bags and large plastic bags are not recyclable and are to be put into waste containers.
• Residence Life recommends that residents use compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs for personal lamps as they consume less electricity than standard bulbs. These bulbs are also known to last longer than traditional bulbs. This recommendation applies to each Housing Facility.
• In the Lodge and Roaring Fork dining facilities, residents must compost: 1) food that does not get consumed; and 2) compostable cups, straws, and napkins. The food collected from the compost will help create fertile soil for the greenhouse located on campus. 

Many of our buildings have achieved LEED Gold certification, a designation outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency's criteria for energy efficiency. Copper, Eldora, La Plata, San Juan, and Cucharas Houses all meet this benchmark. In an effort to make all residence halls more sustainable, various retrofits have been equipped to the interior and exterior of the buildings:

• High efficiency shower heads have been added to Summit Village. These shower heads out put 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) - versus the 2.5 gpm of standard shower heads.
• Hydration stations are installed in Copper, Eldora, La Plata, Cucharas, and San Juan to help eliminate plastic water bottle use on campus and plastic bottles from entering the landfills.
• LED overhead lighting helps to conserve energy while also lasting longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
• Exterior rain gardens take advantage of rainfall and stormwater runoff to help nurture native plant selections.

Clyde’s Sustainable Shower Secrets

• Shorten your shower.

  • Don’t let the shower run too long before you step in.

    • It doesn’t take long for the water to warm.

    • Or... simply keep the shower cold! It’ll bolster your immunity, improve your circulation, increase your metabolism, and reduce/prevent muscle soreness.

  • Measure a 5-minute or 10-minute shower:

    • Check out our timed playlists created by your Naked Truth Mountain Lion champions! Spotify- The Naked Truth Champions!!!

    • Listen to a 5-minute song:

      • “The Last Time” by Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody (4:58)

      •  “Somebody to Love” by Queen (4:55)

      •  “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes (4:55)

    • Use the handy suction timer from Colorado Springs Utilities (free to all Shower Showdown pledgees).

    • Set the timer on your phone or watch.

    • Sing the ABCs 10.5 times. Stop after M on the 11th time.

    • Count backward from 300, which can also be relaxing and meditative.

• Turn the water temperature down a notch, slightly cooler than your current shower temperature.

  • If you share a bathroom with a roommate, consider taking back-to-back showers so no time is wasted waiting for the water to heat up again.

  • Transition gradually! Turn the temperature down for a small part of your shower one day, then a little more the next shower, and so on.

  • Remember that cold showers not only boost immunity and increase energy, but also moisturize your skin and reduce irritation!

• Shower every other day.

  • ​​​​​​Keep your pits and other bits clean with a quick wipe-down by the sink, using a wet washcloth.

• Wash your hair no more than 4 days a week.

  • Without showering, you can still get your hair wet for easy styling – just use water from the sink. If you’re showering, wet your hair without washing it to save water (and time!).

  • If your ‘do is already done, use a shower cap to keep it dry.

  • Use dry shampoo (or baking soda!) to keep your hair looking clean.

• Turn the water off while shampooing, shaving, and scrubbing.

  • Keep a bucket or small container in your shower to capture water that you can use to swish your razor clean while shaving. If you’re not shaving, use it to water your plants.

• Report leaks.

  • Check your showerhead to ensure that it’s turned off completely.

  • Report leaks to UCCS Residential Life & Housing Services at Housing@uccs.edu or 719-255-4042.

• Read more:

  • 8 Mistakes We Often Make When we're Showering | Glamour

  • Your Skin Microbiome: Are You Washing Too Much? | Amy Myers, M.D.

  • Health: Environmental Public Health: Water Conservation Tips (in.gov)

  • 7 Benefits Of Cold Showers For Skin & Hair, From Experts | mindbodygreen

  • Save Water and Energy by Showering Better, with water-saving calculator | EPA WaterSense

  • How Can I Stay Clean Without Showering? | Outside Online