MELVILLE, N.Y. _ Although today̢۪s college students are more environmentally tuned than their parents were at that age, creating an eco-friendly dorm may still be a challenge. Shopping for green alternatives to the extensive list of supplies they will need can be a practical way to protect the Earth and their new room.

Before you shop, check with the school to see if it has recommendations for green options, says Amy Provenzano, executive director of environmental stewardship at Stony Brook University. “Then look for items made out of recycled content . . . and try to stay away from plastics. You can get substitutes for all kinds of items, like hangers and rugs,â€Â she said. “Go more organic for bedding and towels, like 100 percent cotton. They cost more and don’t always come in the extra long twin for dorm rooms, but you can opt for an organic pillow, at least.â€Â

Don’t assume you can only buy new, says Jessica Jensen, chief executive of Low Impact Living, a green home improvement site. “Students can decorate their dorms with items purchased from Goodwill, vintage shops and Craigslist. And many schools have recycling programs whereby items kids didn’t take home with them last year are available to students for this school year.â€Â

Other green alternatives for students include reduced packaging for laundry detergent and other products.

Students also can use eco-friendly cleaning products, clothes racks for air drying and double-sided printing on recycled paper. They can unplug power strips when appliances are not in use to save electricity.

By Liza N. Burby, McClatchy Tribune