Spartan Green Living Certification

Looking for ways to reduce your impact? Take it to the next level with the Spartan Green Living Certification. This program is designed by students for students to help Spartans embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives. Certification is open to any MSU student, whether living on or off campus. Get certified in 10 minutes or less.

October is Sustainability Month! To celebrate, students that complete the green living certification in October will be entered to win a free energy efficiency kit, including a smart charger, an LED lightbulb and more!

Take the Spartan Green Living Certification

---

Resources for the Spartan Green Living Certification

• Community Involvement and Awareness
  • Take the MSU Sustainability Pledge
    
    
  • Connect with MSU Sustainability
    • MSU Sustainability Facebook
    • MSU Sustainability Twitter
    • MSU Sustainability Instagram
      
      
  • Get involved with a sustainable student group
    
    
  • Foster a sustainable and equitable culture
    • MSU Hate Has No Home Here Pledge
    • MSU Inclusion
    • Reporting Harassment and Discrimination
      
      
  • Participate in Sustainability Events
    
    
  • Learn about the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
    
    
  • Volunteer
    • Spartan Serve
    • Global Day of Service
    • MSU Center for Community-Engaged Learning
• Energy
  • Saving Energy
  • Rechargeble Batteries for a Brighter World
  • Battery recycling in East Lansing or Lansing
  • Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly and Healthy Laundry
  • MSU Greenhouse Gas Calculator
• Water
  • MSU Water - Protect Campus Water Resources
  • Water Footprint Calculator
  • Flushable Wipes are terrible for plumbing
• Food
  • Eat at State Sustainability Information
  • Eat at State Nutrition Information
  • MSU Nutrition Program

  
  
• Health and Well-Being
  • MSU Health Promotion
  • Recreational Sports and Fitness Services
  • SPARTANfit Fitness & Wellness Program
  • Exercise is Medicine on Campus Initiative
  • Graduate Student Life and Wellness
  • Benefits of Indoor Plants
  • Sustainable Personal Care
  • MSU Tobacco & Smoke Free Information
• Purchasing Power
  MSU Resources

  • MSU Surplus Store
  • Resource Guide for Sustainable Giveaways
  • Spartan Thrift Club
  • MSU Student Organic Farm

  Local Resources

  • Greater Lansing Thrift Stores
  • Shop Local - Greater Lansing Area

  Sustainable Product Certifications and Guides

  • Seasonal Produce Guide
  • Forest Stewardship Council Certification
  • Sustainable Forestry Initiative
  • EPA Safer Choice
  • Green Seal
  • EcoLogo
  • Energy Star
  • EPEAT
  • Greenguard Certification
  • Cradle to Cradle
  • Certified B Corporation
• Transportation
  • Sustainable Transportation Options at MSU
  • CATA Clean Commute
  • MSU Bikes Service Center
  • Michigan Flyer
• Waste Minimization
  • MSU Recycling
  • Campus Recycling Guide
  • Spartan Upcycle
  • MSU Pack Up. Pitch In.
  • MSU Library - Affordable Textbook Program
  • Single Use Plastics 101
  • Make your own reuseable notebook
  • Upcycle My Stuff

  
  

Acknowledgments

The Spartan Green Living Certification was developed by the 2020-2021 MSU Eco-Reps cohort and reviewed by the Student Sustainability Leadership Council. The pilot version of the program launched during the Spring 2021 semester.

---

Sustainable Packing List

Get a head start toward your Spartan Green Living Certification! Use the packing list and tips to move in sustainabily.

What to Bring:

• LED or CFL light bulbs for any lamps you plan to bring
• Power strips that will protect against energy consumption even when electronics are not in use
• Bicycle, helmet, bike lock and lights (you can also pick up bike gear at the MSU Bikes Service Center or the MSU Surplus Store)
• Reusable water bottle, cutlery, plates, napkins, bags, Tupperware, etc.
• Energy Star certified electronics and appliances

Tips:

• Buy used items whenever possible. This will save you money and decrease your carbon footprint. Check local thrift stores, the MSU Surplus Store, or Freecycle for gently used furnishings available in the area. 
• If purchasing new, buy items with recycled content and/or that are local or fair trade.
• Pack with reusable containers such as laundry baskets and plastic bins.
• If you must use cardboard boxes, you may be able to pick some up for free at a local store. You can turn your used boxes into a recycling station for your room. Save two boxes and use one for plastic and metal and one for mixed paper.