A Greener Packing List

As you pack for your move to college, keep in mind that Dickinson College is committed to reducing our collective impact on the environment and that you should think about "being green" in your residence hall, your room and throughout your life at Dickinson. We encourage buying less stuff, using recycled products, reusing items and developing community through the sharing of items in residence halls.

Upon arrival on move-in day, Orientation Assistants will help carry your belongings into your residence hall and show you where to recycle your move-in wastes. Remember, however, that many of the items you use at home will already be available to you at school—such as a refrigerator and microwave—and as you will soon find out, Dickinson always smiles upon sustainable choices. Most everything on this list is optional, so be thoughtful about what you really need, and what can be bought used. If you do forget something, you will most likely find it from a friend/roommate, in the College Bookstore, the Devil's Den (Dickinson’s convenience store), or at the local shopping centers and stores in downtown Carlisle.

Clothing

Bring clothes that are comfortable and that suit your personal style. Closet space should be sufficient for most students. Planning a wardrobe specific to the season and exchanging clothing over breaks will help you maintain the necessary space for all your belongings. You may want to bring a swimsuit to wear to the Kline Center indoor pool, and clothing for the occasional formal dance. Many students also choose to wear some sort of footwear and/or robe into the bathroom.

Carlisle has four distinct seasons. Summer and early fall can be warm (temperatures ranging between 70° and 90°F) and humid. Late fall is comfortable, but colder (temperatures ranging between 32° and 60°F). Winters tend to be cold with some snow (temperatures ranging between 10° and 40°F). Springs are wet but balmy. Carlisle can be rainy in all seasons, so bring an umbrella, rain boots and/or a waterproof coat.

Academic Items

Buy recycled (>50% post-consumer) and non-toxic products when available!

Pencils/pens/highlighters
Scissors
Hole punch
Notebooks & writing paper (check home for scrap paper/unused notebooks)
Stamps
Envelopes
Paper clips
Rubber bands
Stapler and staples
Ruler
Note cards (various sizes)
Glue
Transparent & masking tape
Thumb tacks
Calendar
Daily planner
USB Flash Drive
Dry erase board

Personal Items

Clothing (there are great thrift shops in Carlisle).
Twin sheets — extra long (natural fiber)
Towels
Blankets
Pillows
Re-usable bag (for shopping, to avoid plastic bags)
Thermos/portable mug (limit waste and you’ll also save $0.50 when you buy drinks on campus)
Water bottle (BPA free, aluminum or stainless steel)
Laundry bag or basket
Laundry detergent (choose a scent-free, chemical-free detergent)
Clothes drying rack to avoid clothes dryer
Toiletry items
Shower caddy
Shower shoes
Umbrella/raincoat/rain boots
Hangers
Bike (Get around sustainably)

Miscellaneous Items

Look for “Energy Star”-logo TVs, DVD players, computers and microwaves.

Desk lamp (with compact fluorescent light bulb)
Wastebasket (recycling receptacles provided)
Surge protector w/circuit breaker (switch to power down all appliances at once)
Alarm clock (single function uses less energy)
Flashlight
Bottle and can opener
Dishes & flatware (lots of events encouraged as BYO place-setting to reduce waste)
Shoe rack
Small tool kit
Safety pins
Non-prescription medicines/vitamins
Storage crates (recycled plastic)
Fan
Games
DVDs
Sewing kit
Coffee pot*
Iron/ironing board*

*Appliances such as coffee pots, curling irons and irons should be equipped with automatic shut-off.

Prohibited Items

No cooking devices in rooms with the exception of a microwave oven (which will be provided in the common space of all residence halls)
No pets except for fish that can be kept in a bowl or 20 gallon tank
No hazardous electrical appliances with open heating elements, including halogen lamps, cooking appliances, decorative lights, concealed extension cords, or multiple outlet adapters. Multiple strip outlets (fused, with at least 14 gauge wire, grounded cord) are allowed when needed to power electronic devices.
No candles, incense burners, or oil burning lamps and lanterns
No firecrackers, fireworks, or any explosive material
No gasoline motors of any type and no storing of fuels such as gasoline or propane
No guns, ammunition, or weapons, including but not limited to knives, darts, foils, and swords
No wooden frame or metal lofts

Items to avoid

Air fresheners (contain many toxic chemicals) (Consider this deodorizer instead: 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 tablespoons baking soda. Find other great alternatives to cleaning supplies online.)
Plastic water bottles
TV (already available in residence halls)
Aerosol cans

It’s easy to bring along all the items you might miss from home: a small refrigerator, microwave, hairdryer or straightener, printer, etc. In actuality, refrigerators and microwaves will be available in your residence hall, and your printing allotment will allow you to print in public buildings like the library. As always, Dickinson encourages and appreciates your efforts to Engage the World … Sustainably!