• 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

    • Adopt-a-Garden 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 

    • 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

• 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.

• Establish a Sustainability Committee within your chapter: 

  • Want to ensure on-going support for sustainability in your chapter? Want to provide leadership opportunities for your fellow chapter members?

  • Establish a mission and outcomes/actions for the committee and create an annual mandate.

  • Appoint leadership positions within the committee.

  • Sustainability Committee Chair can attend FSL Student Sustainability Group meetings and offer to host one meeting in their house.

• Make a cash or in-kind donation to a sustainability oriented non-profit:

  • Food Recovery Network takes donations in the form of leftover foods.

  • Used furniture, appliances, and building/landscaping materials can be dropped off at Community Forklift.

  • A Wider Circle will take clothes, household items, bedding, and towels.

  • Donate used sporting equipment to Leveling the Playing Field.

  • Other charities may include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Rock Creek Conservancy, Goodwill Industries, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Anacostia Watershed Society, etc. 

• 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.

• Create an annual budget specifically dedicated to sustainability efforts: 

  • Work with your chapter's Executive Board to create a budget specifically for the Green Chapter Program. 

• 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.

• 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 grouped into teams of four to paint the dumpsters over the course of a week. It's lots of fun and a great way to promote recycling along with your chapter!

    • Make sure to review the Recycling Dumpster Painting Guide

• 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 

    • You can even collaborate with other chapters! 

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

• 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 apoint an interested member to help with installation and be the "keeper" of the rain barrel and look after it once it's been installed. 

• 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.