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Healthy Sustainable Living in Harvard University Housing
The residential real estate portfolio and its community play a critical role in the University’s effort to confront the challenges of climate change and create a healthier, more sustainable campus community.
Making Harvard Home: The Basics
Blueprint for a sustainable apartment
- Install LEDs in floor, table, and desk lamps
- Utilize power strips and install outlet timers
- Use blinds and curtains to control daylighting, heat gain, and drafts
- Keep air vents clear of furniture and rugs
- Hang items in your home with removable mounting materials
- Create recycling stations (one trash bin and one recycling bin) in the kitchen and bathroom—remember, no plastic bags
- Keep reusable bags, bottles, and mugs by front door
- Install a shower timer
- Furnish home with pre-owned furniture or new furniture made with healthy materials
- Do less laundry, hang it up before placing in the hamper
- Shop local, seasonal, and organic
- Keep houseplants for natural air filtration
Green and clean laundry
- Not really dirty? Hang your clothes before tossing them in the hamper
- Wash your clothes on cold (it's just as effective)
- Use non-toxic detergent
- Clean lint trap for shorter dry time
Temperature control and comfort
We adhere to the Harvard Temperature Policy with standards for optimal human comfort, productivity, health, and safety.
Ideal settings for winter months:
Home setting: 68–71º F, 64º F at night
Away setting: 60º F and fan set to off
Minimizing waste and waste guidelines
Minimize waste by following the 5 Rs:
- Refuse: One-time use items
- Reduce: What you buy
- Reuse: And repair
- Recycle: In single stream recycling bins
- Rot: Compost, where available
Waste Guidelines: What Goes Where
Recycling:
Single stream recycling is implemented across Harvard Housing—all recyclable materials, including paper, boxes, bottles, cans, and containers, can be mixed together in the same receptacle. No sorting is required.
Translated recycling guides:
Trash:
- Food waste (where compost unavailable)
- Plastic bags
- Films & wrappers
- Styrofoam
- Used napkins
- Used paper towels
- Plastic utensils
E-waste, hazardous materials, bulk items:
- E-waste (electronic waste) bins are located in the Property Management Offices and/or laundry rooms
- Call the Property Management Office regarding the safe disposal of hazardous materials
- Bring bulk items (electronics, furniture, mattresses, mirrors) to Freecycles or the Harvard Surplus Center
Before you go checklist
Before you leave for the weekend, vacation, or break complete these easy actions:
- Take out trash and recycling
- Unplug small appliances and devices
- Close windows, shades, blinds, and curtains
- Check to make sure kitchen and bathroom vents are off
- Set thermostat to 60º F and shut off fan setting
- Turn off lights
Moving out sustainably
Moving out? Minimize your impact
Donate your unwanted books, furniture, and other materials before you move out. Help benefit charities like Harvard Habitat for Humanity (which resells the items in the fall) and reduce waste on campus.
More tips for Healthy, Sustainable Living:
Go Car-Free
Instead of driving and parking try:
- Public transit: MBTA (Subsidized passes for Harvard employees)
- Harvard and Longwood Shuttles (free for Harvard ID holders)
- Hubway (Membership discounts for Harvard ID holders)
- Zipcar (Membership discounts for Harvard ID holders)
Fall in love with tap water
Massachusetts public water supplies are among the best in the country and are subject to the most stringent government standards in the world (more than bottled water).
- Cambridge source: Hobbs and Stony Brook Reservoirs
- Boston and Somerville source: Quabbin Reservoir—Award-winning water quality!
Be active and mindful
Incorporate meditation, yoga, and other wellness activities throughout your day
- Check out the Harvard Center for Wellness for offerings
- Stand, stretch, walk to boost mental and physical health
- Bike, instead of ride
- Take the stairs to increase endorphins, burn calories faster, and save electricity
Connect with community and nature
Get outside!
- Attend a Graduate Commons event
- Plan a trip to the Arnold Arboretum or the Harvard Forest
- Make a point to volunteer this month
Healthy cleaning
Switch to non-toxic cleaning supplies which are just as effective and better for your health
- Make your own household cleaners (see recipes below)
- De-clutter by donating and freecycling unwanted items
Healthy household cleaner recipes:
Household cleaner:
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1 cup liquid castille soap
- 4 tsp vegetable glycerin
Mix in bowl and store in jar. Apply with damp sponge.
Glass and surface cleaner
- 2 cups distilled vinegar
- 2 cups water
Mix. Apply with soft cloth.
Drain cleaner
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup vinegar
Pour baking soda down drain and follow with vinegar. Cover drain and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Flush with kettle of boiling water.
Commit to better food choices
Shop the Harvard Farmers' Market
Tuesdays, 12–6 pm
June–November
Science Center Plaza
Grocery shopping list:
- Less red meat
- More fresh, quality (less overly-engineered) food
- Buy local and seasonal
Freshen the air with houseplants
Increase oxygen and filter dust and pollutants with houseplants.
Top indoor purifiers—NASA approved:
- Aloe Vera
- Chinese Evergreen
- Boston Fern
- English Ivy
- Spider Plant
- Peace Lily
- Bamboo Palm
Green building at Harvard University Housing
LEED Properties
The Harvard University Housing portfolio includes five LEED certified properties and two renewable energy projects. Sustainable operation and maintenance practices are applied portfolio-wide, innovative solutions are piloted through the Sustainable Community Initiative, and staff are highly knowledgeable and committed to ongoing resource conservation and high performance building management.
- Cowperthwaite
- Akron
- Peabody Terrace
- One Western Ave
- Cronkhite Graduate Center