• Recycling Dumpster Mural Painting: 

• • • Each year depending on chapter interest, the Office of Sustainability, DFSL and Facilities Management team up to paint recycling bins that will be placed around campus. These painted bins encourage other students to recycle by improving the visibility of the recycling bins. Chapters are each given one side of a dumpster to paint over the course of week. It's lots of fun and a great way to promote recycling along with your chapter!

    • More information will be sent out during the Spring Semester to chapters participating in the program.

• Host a DIY/sustainable crafting night with your chapter*. Examples include:

  • • T-shirt Tote Bags

    • Upcycled Magnets  

    • Upcycled Air Fresheners 

    • Recycled Collage Cards

    • Upcycled Hemp Bracelets 

    • Coffee scrub  

    • Recycled gift bows

    • T-shirt Dog Toys 

• Host a thrift store pop-up shop!

  • • Create a chapter-wide clothing donation box for the event 

    • Advertise your chapter's event on social media to increase turnout and discuss sustainable consumption.

    • You can even collaborate with other chapters! 

*Educational component (presentation, dialogue, etc.) must be included in the crafting night.

• Volunteer at Terp Farm, Community Learning Garden, or UMD Arboretum & Botanical Garden:

  • • Contact terpfarm@umd.edu,  umdlearninggarden@gmail.com, or arboretum@umd.edu (respectively) for more information

    • Flower Power Hour or Weed Warriors with the UMD Arboretum and Botanic Garden

• Participate in Terp-to-Terp ReUse Store:

  • • Make sure to review the Terp-to-Terp Chapter-Wide Action Guide

    • The Green Chapter Program is partnering with the Terp-to-Terp Reuse Store to reduce waste generation among chapter houses 

    • The Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store collects and distributes unused or gently used small appliances, cooking/kitchen items, room accessories, and school supplies donated throughout the year 

    • Green Chapter Program staff will help assist sustainability chairs in: 

      • Learning how the Terp-to-Terp Reuse Store works 

      • Getting a collection box for chapter houses

      • Providing signage 

• Host a canned-food drive for Campus Pantry:

  • • Identify a donation collection site in your office (front desk, central location, etc.) /common space for your organization 

    • Educate members on how food drive's can relate to UN Sustainable Develop Goals (i.e. SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production)

    • Repurpose an office supply box to collect the food & identify it with a basic flyer

    • Spread the word with your office through staff meetings, events, posters, flyers, emails 

      • Some offices/organizations have organized special events/competitions/incentives to increase participation 

    • After you are finished collecting donations in your office, either schedule a pickup for Mondays 1:00 – 4:00pm or feel free to bring the donated items over to the Campus Pantry on Mondays - Friday 10:00 am -5:00 pm

• Organize a Sustainability-Related Community Service Event

• Host a Sustainability themed game night!

  • Host an interactive, game-show style event where chapter members compete in high-energy challenges focused on various sustainability themes. 

  • This turns environmental education into a fun, social competition that engages members while teaching them how to make a tangible impact on campus. 

• Highlight one of your members as “Green Member of the Month” each month: (a fan favorite!)

• • Do you notice a Chapter member who loves sustainability? Someone who encourages others to recycle, turns out the lights, unplug chargers, or walk to class?

  • Display their photo with space to write why they are a green Greek.

  • Decorate that person’s bedroom door for recognition.

• Include one sustainability article in your annual chapter report: 

  • Waste, water, energy, transportation, food and dining, and cleaning products make good starting points to talk about sustainability issues.

  • What area of sustainability can your Chapter improve on and how?

  • Highlight something your Chapter has done to contribute to campus or community sustainability efforts.

  • Write a story about your experience in the Green Chapter program and what impact it had on you and your Chapter.

• Include information about sustainability in your new member education process:

  • Write a one-page information sheet on your Chapter’s sustainability policies and goals.

  • Ensure your Sustainability Chair provides an orientation to new members.

  • Plan a sustainability event during recruitment so that new members know about your priorities.

• Organize a presentation with the Recycling and Solid Waste Unit for chapter members 

  • Contact recycle@umd.edu about availability

  • Chairs must contact the Recycling and Solid Waste Unit to schedule a waste sorting presentation with a Recycling staff. Chairs should not be delivering their own self-made presentation.

To have an action be counted towards your "Chapter Wide-Actions" 30% of your chapter must engage in the action.

• For Chapter House Improvements consider what percentage of your chapter will engage with the improvement.

  • For example: 

    • Only two members may help installing a rain barrel, but if you encourage members to use the water from the barrel you could reach your 30% threshold.

    • Eliminating disposable cutlery and plates at a small event may not engage 30% of your members, but making the switch at a chapter-wide or recruitment event and engage more members! 

• Apply for a Sustainability Fund Grant!

  • Have an idea for a sustainability project or a sustainability upgrade to your house? Consider applying to the University Sustainability Fund or Mini-Grant.

• Rain Barrels: 

  • Rain barrels are a great way of collecting and reusing rainwater at your chapter house. To install a rain barrel, students have to coordinate with facilities management and a point an interested member to help with installation and be the "keeper" of the rain barrel and look after it once it's been installed. 

  • Inform chapter members about the benefits of Rain Barrels and use for 

• Create a system for storing and reusing materials for events like Recruitment, Homecoming, Spring Fest or other rituals: 

  • Instead of giving a prize to everyone, consider a raffle for a more substantial prize.

  • Can you rent equipment instead of purchasing it?  You can rent just about anything from a chocolate fountain to a tripod. Use your personal network, the web and your local business directory to do some research about what’s close to you.

  • Cloth tablecloths. These can be washed and used next year.

  • Purchase one reusable item each year to minimize the impact on your budget.

  • Avoid helium-filled balloons that can escape and travel long distances. Helium is a non-renewable resource and is in short supply.

  • Keep all your Halloween costume elements for other times when you’ll need to dress up and be in character.

• Launch a campaign to “Power down” the entire house before breaks: 

  • Unplug all cords and chargers from wall outlets.

  • Empty mini-fridges and unplug them.

  • Ensure windows are tightly closed and blinds/curtains are drawn.

• Eliminate disposable cups, plates, and utensils for meals and events hosted inside your house:

  • Work with your caterer to ensure the house is well stocked with washable materials.

  • Try melamine or other reusable plastic dishes and utensils if you are concerned about breakage.

  • As a last resort, request compostable plates, flatware and cups from your caterer and collect them in a compost bin after the meal.