1. They’re implementing green campus initiatives

As students are catching on to the problem of waste and inefficiency, they're beginning to form groups to focus on solutions and awareness.

Many student-run green campus initiatives have started campaigns at their universities to bike to class, spread the word to other students, use composting stations and make responsible food choices.

Other green campus initiatives have a fund for green projects and even staff members to lead these efforts. Especially with roles devoted to energy-efficient changes, green campus initiatives give substantial focus to the wasteful habits and harmful actions of their colleges.

2. They’re aiming for "net zero" campuses

Several campuses are doing more than reducing their energy consumption — some are becoming independent of non-renewable energy sources altogether. The New Buildings Institute's Getting to Zero list shows an increase in the educational facilities concentrating on their "net zero" status.

Campuses will also save money by joining the clean energy endeavor. Maui College is one example of a "net zero" campus movement — they're aiming to generate all of their energy use via battery and solar sources.

3. Students are getting access to the NWF’s campus ecology resources

Through the efforts of the National Wildlife Foundation, college students have access to necessary resources to bring green practices to their schools and to continue pursuing sustainability beyond college.

With their many guides on how to alter their campus' behaviors, their resource center can inform interested students about paper recycling, climate action and wildlife.

Case studies give students the background to decide the next steps in eco-friendly strategies. Career-oriented tools can assist students in finding jobs in an energy-conscious field, too. Interested students can get involved in the EcoLeader program to dedicate their careers to the green movement.

4. They’re competing against other campuses to see who can be more green

When schools introduce sustainability, they use 20 percent less energy than other institutions and in the context of colleges, this could be even greater. So, for a few weeks each year, universities compete to channel efficiency and reduce waste on their campus.

Concentrated on electricity reduction, the event helps building residents accept the challenge to limit their use of lights, water and power.

Lucid hosts the event and they encourage separate buildings to participate. Dorms can compete against other dorms on the same campus and participants simply need to reach the highest percentage of energy cutback.

5. They’re making greenhouse gas reduction strategies

Carbon footprints are a top priority for university energy efforts and campus shuttles and buses are decreasing their use of greenhouse gases.

Commuters and on-campus rides are restraining overuse, so the vehicles don't shoot up the impact of greenhouse gas. Vanderbilt, Harvard, MIT and Yale are a few leading universities in their efforts to control their emissions.