Freshman Green 15 Activities
15 Activities to Conscious Living
1. Movie Night:
Hosting an environmental movie night or green TV night is a fun and informative way to engage
students in change. Pick a great doc, a series of short films, or TED talks that you can screen for
your floor or building. (we will post a list on our FG15 page). Provide organic, non-GMO, snacks
for residents to eat during the film. Following the film, facilitate a discussion about reactions to
the film(s) and issue(s) at hand. We will provide information about Project Green Challenge
2013 and materials for residents to sign up if they are interested.
Materials needed:
– TV or projector
– Copy of the selected film or the links on YouTube, etc
– Organic, non GMO, sustainable, fair trade, healthy snacks
– List of questions for a post-film discussion
Movie and TV ideas:
 No Impact Man
 Food, Inc.
 An Inconvenient Truth
 The Story of Stuff series
 TED talks
o A New Ecosystem for Electric Cars: (18 min)
 http://www.ted.com/talks/shai_agassi_on_electric_cars.html
o Green Building: (6 min)
 http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/catherine_mohr_builds_green.html
o Greening the Ghetto (18 min)
 http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/majora_carter_s_tale_of_urban_rene
wal.html
o Tough Truths about Plastic Pollution: (5 min)
 http://www.ted.com/talks/dianna_cohen_tough_truths_about_plastic_p
ollution.html
Snack Ideas:
-Fair trade chocolate
-Organic popcorn
-Organic granola
-Fresh fruits and vegetables (locally grown and organic if possible)
-Products from Nature’s Path, Kopali, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, RW Garcia, Chipotle
2. Room or Door Decoration Contest
Now that the year has begun and your residents have started arranging their rooms and
meeting each other, it is the perfect time to have a room or door decor contest! Give students a
week or so at the beginning of the semester to decorate their room using the checklist from
Project Green Dorm (projectgreendorm.com). Challenge them to make their space as
sustainable as possible and to include great eco info to help inform other residents! At the end
of the week, residents and other RAs can vote to select the “best” room(s), based on certain
criteria, and the winner will receive a great eco prize (TTG can help). Not only does this project
promote sustainable living, it also helps residents bond with a little friendly competition.
Resources for your residents:
 Project Green Dorm website
 Earth 911 has really creative ideas about decorations that you and your residents can
create by upcycling old items.
o http://earth911.com/news/2013/01/03/crazy-diy-projects/
o http://earth911.com/news/2012/11/08/diy-small-space-solutions-made-fromtrash/
o http://earth911.com/news/2012/10/22/10-simple-reuse-projects-in-30-minutesor-less/
 Look for unique environmental images or bumper stickers to put on doors, or make your
own!
3. Eco Shopping Experience
Want a fun program to get out of the campus bubble? Gather a group of residents on a
Saturday afternoon (or whatever time works well) for an Eco-shopping trip. This is a great way
to get students comfortable exploring in and around campus and is a fun way for them to get to
know their community and visit places they might not have known about previously. You can
use public transportation, ride bikes, or walk to different locations on or off campus, and spend
an allotted amount of time at each location (20-30 minutes?) to look around and shop. Be sure
to map out where each location is so you can share it with other students via social media with
photos when you get back!
Examples of places to visit…
 thrift and vintage shops
 resale shops
 used book shops
 food co-ops or natural food stores
 farmer’s markets
 sustainable or vegetarian restaurants
 any other sustainable gems that you find in your community
4. Eco Top Chef
Few things draw people together as much as food; and the promise of an awesome meal or
yummy snacks. This time, get the residents behind the food preparation. Not only will they
learn about cooking, they will also develop a better understanding of what “organic,”
“sustainable,” “fair trade,” “non-GMO”, “locally grown” and “farm to plate” mean as these terms
relate to what they find on their plate.
This program can take many different directions; you might host a potluck, a cooking
demonstration, a sustainable version of Iron Chef, or any other event that integrates healthy
food into a fun, social gathering. This program can build community on your floor or hall, and
will teach residents real life skills related to healthy cooking to help sustain the planet! After all
if you think about it chefs can change the world just by the menus they create!
Options to help you get started:
 Talk to your dining services or food science department about hosting a sustainable food
related event and work with them to brainstorm ideas
 Talk to your hall director about good areas to host the program, places you will purchase
food (in case your hall director needs to help), and other campus resources that could
help
 Explore! Are there farmers markets or green grocers nearby? These would be great
resources! If not, hunt around in your regular grocery store. Do they carry organic or fair
trade products?
 Do you like to cook? If so, look up recipes online that use organic, fair trade, or locally
grown ingredients. These could even be vegetarian or vegan dishes!
5. Edible Landscape
An “edible landscape” means planting food crops in a yard or in the existing landscape near
homes, businesses, or anywhere there is some bare ground! Many foods are grown far away,
travelling an average of 1500 miles to reach our plate, a journey that creates pollution and emits
carbon dioxide (a contributor to global warming). Furthermore, synthetic pesticides and
fertilizers are often sprayed on the fields, polluting air, soil, water, and damaging human health.
Planting an edible landscape encourages local food choices and doesn’t require the use of
harmful chemicals.
How to get started: Ask local nurseries for plant donations and ask them (or a gardening club)
what plants grow well in your area. Or, check out this website: http://ediblelandscaping.com/.
Locate your zone number on the US map and then look for plants that will thrive in your area. If
you can’t get any plant donations, buying non-GMO vegetable or herb seeds is an inexpensive
option. Encourage students to plant food near their dorm or herbs in their dorm rooms! Given
time, your edible landscape project will turn into a free buffet of fruits, vegetables, and herbs
right outside your door! Watch the following talk for inspiration and ideas:
http://www.ted.com/talks/pam_warhurst_how_we_can_eat_our_landscapes.html
6. DIY Green Clean
Many household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to human and
environmental health. Common household products contain ingredients that have been linked
to cancer, allergies, and organ toxicity. Check out www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners for more
information and safety ratings on specific products. Luckily, it’s easy to make safe and healthy
alternatives! Plus, making your own products is often cheaper. Host an event where students
can make their own healthy products. Show them the online video: “The Story of Cosmetics”
beforehand so they understand the purpose of the event. Have some conventional products on
hand so students can use the Environmental Working Group database (link above) to look up
information on common products.
Using the following resources, select some green cleaners that your residents likely use on a
normal basis (laundry soap and all purpose cleaners are good choices).
Resources:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/20-diy-green-cleaning-recipes-141129
http://lisa.drbronner.com/?cat=12
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html
Most ingredients are available in regular grocery stores. The key DIY items are; Castile Soap,
Vinegar, Water, Lemon, and Baking Soda.
A great liquid soap is Dr. Bronner’s. It’s very concentrated so 16 ounces can last the whole year.
You can use it for everything from shower soap to cleaning counter tops and best of all it’s
certified organic, non-GMO, and fair trade certified.
7. Sill Garden
Planting some flowers or herbs to create a windowsill garden is a simple and fun activity. Get
some small pots, a few bags of soil, and some seed packets (look for organic soil and non-GMO
seeds!). Students can decorate the pots with whatever supplies are on hand. Everyone can
plant some seeds (flowers and herbs are good choices) and watch a tiny garden grow on their
windowsill. Having plants in your room helps clean indoor air, which is often not as healthful
and clean as outdoor air.
Check out the following for more information:
-http://www.cleanairgardening.com/houseplants.html
-http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/growing-an-indoor-window-sill-herbgarden-tips-for-a-indoor-herb-garden.htm
- http://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/windowsill-gardens/
8. Community Garden
If your school already has a community garden, contact the organizers and volunteer your dorm
or floor to go help out for an afternoon. If your school doesn’t have a garden, why not think
about starting one? A community garden on campus means fresh produce at your fingertips.
Produce from the garden can be donated to your local food bank to improve the diets of those
who need it most. Gardening reduces stress, and you will learn lifelong skills. Start asking
questions about where a community garden might be planted and what funds are available to
get started. Grants exist to help defray start-up costs (see link below), and in the long run,
planting seeds is a much cheaper alternative to buying produce at the grocery store. Offer
incentives to students: for a couple of hours of work in the garden they can take some produce
with them.
Links:
http://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/gardengrants.php
http://itemonline.com/local/x1095520547/Why-garden-Master-Gardeners-offer-a-Top-Ten-list
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/infographic-homegardening-in-the-us
9. Nature Hike + Picnic
Gather your dorm or floor and go on a nature hike. It doesn’t really matter where you go: check
out a natural area on campus or go to a nearby park or nature trail.
-Here are some ideas:
-Bring a Frisbee or soccer ball.
-Check out bird, flower, and tree guides at the library.
-Create a simple scavenger hunt.
-Bring along some sustainable snacks and have a picnic. (Ideas: Nature’s Path Granola, Guayaki
Yerba Mate, chips and guacamole, food from Chipotle, etc)
10. Recycling Bins as Art
A great way to promote recycling is to make it fun, as well
as more visible. Paint the recycling bins on campus for a
fun, artistic activity. Ask your school’s service or
maintenance department beforehand so you know which
bins are okay to decorate. Also ask them for paint and
brushes. They should have some unused items sitting
around. If that fails, ask Res Life or other student groups if they have some supplies. This event
may need to be run over a few days, to allow the paint to dry between coats. On the first day
paint the base layer, add another layer on the second day, and eventually paint the topcoat with
designs. To make this event educational, provide information about what can and cannot be
recycled on campus and the benefits of recycling. If you’d like, get multiple student groups
involved and make it a competition!
http://www.ehow.com/how_7922319_decorate-recycling-bins.html
11. Energy Off Party
Host an “energy- off” party for your dorm to remind students that many fun activities don’t
require energy. Depending on whether you host the party during the day or the evening, your
event can involve different activities. For daytime parties, encourage students to enjoy the
outdoors. Set up various games such as volleyball, Frisbee, and tag. For evening parties play
board games with a flashlight, tell scary stories, or play flashlight tag. Provide some healthy and
sustainable snack options and let the students relax and meet new friends. Calculate the
approximate amount of energy, money, and/or CO2 emissions saved while the power was off
during your party and announce it at the end. Give students tips on how to save energy in the
dorms: http://www.brandeis.edu/campussustainability/energy/resenergytips.html
http://www.unl.edu/unlpub/special/energy/
12. Recycle Art Contest
Bring in a pile of clean recyclable items (rescued from recycling bins!) such as cardboard boxes,
bottles, cans, paper, etc. Form students into teams and instruct them to design and create one
useful or decorative/artistic item from objects in the pile. Provide supplies such as staples, glue,
scissors, tape, etc. for students to build with. Give the teams a time limit and set a timer. Allow
them to work up until the last team is finished or until the timer goes off. Have each team
present their creation to the judges (can be RAs or other staff) and select the top entry for a
prize. Display the top creations in the dorm common area.
http://www.recyclart.org/
http://mentalfloss.com/article/13046/11-artists-doing-amazing-things-recycled-materials
http://pinterest.com/jvanders/recycled-art-ideas/
13. Bath and Body Bingo
Cheat sheet:
Explanation:
This game is a creative way to teach your residents about the harmful chemicals in our bath and
body products. Start the event by showing “The Story of Cosmetics”, a great online video
describing the effects of the “toxins in, toxins out” practice employed by the cosmetics industry.
Then, start the game of BINGO! Read each definition and let students fill in the blanks on their
cards. Once someone gets five in a row, they may pick a prize sponsored by organic companies
like Acure, Aubrey Organics, Dr. Bronner’s, Juice Beauty, Desert Essence and more! (TTG can
help with some giveaways).
Materials:
- Bingo Cards
- Organic candy to cover cards or small recycled cardboard squares
- Prizes (Suggestions Above)
- Definitions
- HDMI Cable
- Laptop to play “Story of Cosmetics”
- TV screen
Resources:
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/voc.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/029114_triclosan_antibacterial_soap.html
http://www.controlyourimpact.com/articles/antiperspirant-aluminum-and-alzheimers-disease/
http://notjustaprettyface.org/blog/the-dose-makes-the-poison-we-know-better-now
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/500/disodiumlauriminodipropionate-tocopheryl-phosphates.aspx
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductTesting/ucm072268.htm
Definitions to read (or come up with some of your own):
VOC- Commonly found in nail polish, high levels of some VOCs have caused cancer and affected
the liver, kidney and nervous system. You can usually smell this.
Phosphates – Usually something that ends in “phosphates” is dangerous, not because
phosphate is dangerous, but it is usually a component in preservatives that in low dosages can
have harmful effects.
Animal Testing – Many products claim they are not tested on animals, but there is a “cruelty
free” logo on some products that verifies this claim, and indicates a commitment to stop animal
cruelty everywhere.
“Natural” – This word is not regulated and can be used on any product as an incentive to make
you buy it. The best way to avoid this “green-washing” scheme is to know what is in your
products
EDTA - In personal care products, it is added to cosmetics to improve their stability in air, and it
is a carcinogen when mixed with other synthetic ingredients
Triclosan – found in toothpaste and antibacterial soap, recent studies have found it causes
endocrine disruption in the body and may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant "super"
bacteria (FDA).
Aluminum chloride – This can comprise up to 25% of your deodorant and it is absorbed well
through the skin. It has been linked to Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.
Fragrance - Since manufacturers aren’t required to list the ingredients used in fragrances,
choose items that are either fragrance-free or contain fragrance from natural sources like
essential oils. Fragrances can be made of up to 3,000 different chemicals!
Silicone – Provides a way for other chemicals to be absorbed better into the skin and causes a
lot of pollution and harm to wildlife.
Dose Makes the Poison - It’s not the dose that makes the poison, but also the timing of the
dose, the size of the person and the toxicity of chemical mixtures — factors that aren’t
considered in typical risk assessments.
Petroleum Based - petrochemicals in rodents resulted in anemia, kidney degeneration, and
nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. They have been banned in some European
countries, but not in the US.
Fair-Trade – Look for the fair trade label, which means your product was produced under ethical
conditions and that the workers were paid a fair living wage.
“Near the end” – Most of the harmful chemicals are listed towards the end of the ingredients
list, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed about looking for what ingredients to avoid, start “near
the end”.
Olive oil, vodka, lemon juice, water, and salt... All of these ingredients can be used to make a
hand softener. It’s amazingly easy to make your own products and you will always know exactly
what is in them.
USDA Organic – This label means that one or more of the ingredients in your product were
grown organically (without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers).
Beautorium - offers a handpicked selection of the best in natural and organic beauty products
from around the world
Artificial Color – Used to make things look “pretty”. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C,
followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic
colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfates - It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to
dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the
parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut."
PABA – derivatives used in sunscreen that also help menopausal women by regulating their
hormones. PABA was once widely used in sunscreen, but caused so many allergic reactions that
they had to start using derivatives.
Parabens - Defined as any of a group of compounds used as preservatives in pharmaceutical,
cosmetic, or food products.
Over Exposure - Because we use many products each day, the accumulative effect of toxic
ingredients may amplify the dangers of chemicals in body products.
The Safe Cosmetics Act – Legislation that will help get the toxic chemicals out of our cosmetics.
This legislation will be good for consumers, but it will also level the playing field for businesses
that are making the safest products. New advances in science have exposed the health risks of
repeated exposures to low-dose hazardous chemicals – while also enabling green chemists to
develop safer, non-toxic formulas.
14. DIY GREEN SPA
It’s remarkably easy to make your own body care products. Plus, it saves money, protects our
health, and is better for the environment. The ingredients are easy to find and should be
organic. Spend a fun evening and mix up some great products!
Part 1: Select some easy recipes and gather the ingredients and containers.
Here are a few pulled from the blog below. But there are tons of DIY recipes to choose from.
http://blog.lulus.com/beauty/diy-at-home-spa-treatments/
Brown Sugar + Unpetroleum Jelly Lip Treatment
Lip treatments are often overlooked but a little lip balm just isn’t enough sometimes. Using safe un-petroleum jelly
and raw sugar make a great little scrub for your lips when the weather dries them out. Rub a little on your lips and
rinse with a warm washcloth for a smooth lip that’s ready for a gorgeous gloss.
Raw Honey and Olive Oil are a great mix for a skin moisturizer. The smooth mixture of honey and olive oil make a
great moisturizing mask for your skin. Mix these two ingredients in equal parts and a keep the leftovers in a small
mason jar in your shower for a quick go-to when your skin is feeling dull or dry.
Rosewater and Coconut Milk make the most relaxing and soothing bath. The therapeutic scent of the rosewater is
so relaxing and the creamy coconut milk will make your skin super soft and silky. Throw a quarter cup of rosewater
into your bath with a quarter cup of coconut milk and soak the stress away.
Lemon Juice and Egg Yolk Anti Redness Facial: This mixture is great for an anti-redness facial and for spot treating
pesky blemishes. Use this treatment about once a week or as needed to give your face a cool, fresh feel and take
away redness from blemishes or sun exposure.
Part 2: Face Mask
Mix all the ingredients with a mortar and pestle or food processor to make a fine blend. Then
add just enough water to achieve a good consistency. For a complete materials list, see below.
Make this mask when your guests arrive and set it aside for 20 minute while they make other
take home DIY products. Then have everyone come back and brush on the green clay masks.
Leave the masks on for five minutes and take some hilarious pictures while you wait!
Materials:
-4 oz mason jars with lids
-Olive Oil
-Rose Water
-Un-Petroleum Jelly and Crystal sugar (like Turbinado or Sugar in the Raw)
-Brown sugar
-Rose Water
-Coconut Milk
-Small glass mixing bowls
-Re-useable silverware
Mask
-2 Tbsps. green clay powder
-Pinch of walnuts
-3 Tbsps. oats
-2 Drops of lavender oil
-2-6 Tbsps. of distilled water
-Mortar and pestle or food processing
-Music to play in the background
Tips and Tricks:
 Make sure you practice making the facial scrub before you put on the event to get the
right consistency


Research all the chemicals you are replacing and calculate how much money each
person will save—share this information at the event to promote the benefits of DIY
beauty products
Have fun and add some of your favorite recipes too!
15. Green Carnival!
How it Works:
Host your Carnival in a large area and set up 3-8 different stations with information on a range
of topics including waste stream, zero impact, carbon footprint, GMO’s, etc… Each station will
teach students about the issue through a game. If the student learns about the issue and
participates fully, they will get their card stamped and move on to the next station. If they finish
three stations they pick a small prize, five, a medium prize, and eight gets a fancier prize! It
should take about an hour to complete all stations. Everyone gets organic chocolate, a body
product or some other eco friendly item as a gift for participating. Two volunteers who are
informed about the issue and know how to run the game should staff the stations.
Timeline:
Week 1: Finalize proposal
Week 2: Create 8 unique stations with different sustainable themes and a game for each (little
things like bean bag toss, timed search and find, bingo, guess how many is in this)
Week 3: Finalize themes and make “to get” list
Week 4: Make poster/ banner, order prizes
Week 5: Finalize, approve, and print poster and banner, start recruitment of volunteers from
Eco-Reps, UNT Serves and RA’s.
Week 6: Get prizes and tablecloths, refreshment station with eco-cups or mason jars, balloons
or native flowers for décor
Week 7: Put up posters/continue to get décor
Week 8: Volunteer information sheet sent-out about specific stations/make sure everyone is on
board
Week 9: Week of event
Budget: $100-300
Tips and Tricks:
-Educate your volunteers about each station and print out descriptive guidelines to ensure
people will really learn about their station.
-Make sustainable choices wherever you can. Instead of balloons, try native flowers. For carnival
foods, find alternatives to greasy or individually wrapped foods. Make your banner from
recycled or upcycled materials.
-Carnaval in Brazil is really colorful so think BRIGHT AND FUN! It is sure to attract people to your
event.
Examples of Stations:
Stump the Activist: Can you beat an environmental activist at her own game?
Trivia Game that includes someone (faculty/grad student/student) who knows a lot about the
environment.
Labeling: How confusing is it?
A Fact or Fiction Game in which people try to determine the meaning of labels and learn
whether something is truly sustainable or not! This can include ingredients lists, GMO-labeling,
natural, organic, and vegan certified labels, and any others you can think of!
Collaborative Consumption: Be a Part of the Collage
Learn about yerdle.com and make art. Set out a huge piece of recycled/already used paper to
let people glue, paint, color, draw, design, cut, and create—see what your participants can
make!
Organic Food and Drink Station:
Not a game, but a delicious learning experience for your guests. Include Guayaki Yerba-Mate tea
(hot and cold), organic chocolate, organic granola, etc. Try to have mason jars (or other reusable
containers) to eat out of and return them before leaving the area.
Materials: (This excludes all stations except the drink/food table and the prize table because
they will differ for each event)
-25 to 50 Mason Jars or eco-plastic cups
-Numi/Guayaki Yerba Mate tea in individual bags
-Hot water portable dispenser
-(# of stations) Organic Cotton Tablecloths or reusable cloths
-Re-used/Recycled Banner Sign
-Native or local organic flowers for each station
-Advertisement flyers (post online/ print out a limited number to conserve paper)
-Volunteers T-shirts/uniform/Carnaval themed Costume
-Organic Chocolate Granola (in bulk)
-Fresh, organic fruits (cut into pieces or whole)
-Small Prizes (Lip Balm or Kopali Organic Chocolates)
-Medium Prizes (Love Crunch Granola or Yerba Mate Tea)
-Large Prizes (Eco-lunchbox or Soap/Conditioner Set)
-Everyone Prizes (Body Products or organic food)