Lauren Miller, our Web 2.0 Marketing & PR Associate, addresses the looming challenges of spring cleaning for college students.

As spring rolls around, so do graduation and the dreaded thought of moving to a new apartment again (for the fourth time in 4 years), or back into your parents house… maybe it would be a good idea to find a job (yikes!).

So with moving, comes cleaning. Another dreaded task most people seem to avoid during their college years, until the dirt and dishes pile up and something is finally done to stop the invasion of filth. But with graduation creeping up slowly, it might be a good idea to get a head start on the spring cleaning and preparing for moving out and moving on!

Let me put another spin on things now… Rather than putting everything in a dumpster, to later be taken to the dump, let me insight you with a few green solutions for getting rid of this so called “trash.”

• Plan ahead … Give yourself enough time so that you know how much stuff you will be keeping and getting rid of.
• Ask around: Talk to neighbors, family, friends, and acquaintances. See if any of them are in need of anything you are getting rid of. The more you give away, the less you have to transport around. Less time in the car equals less pollution in the sky!
• Check your local listings, see if anyone around you is in need of the “trash” you no longer need. I do believe there is a famous quote that states: “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure”
• Create a separate area dedicated to things you know can be recycled. If your goods are made from recyclable materials, please do not put them in the trash pile.

Although most people are tired of the dish build up and clogged drains, If nothing has been done before you move out in the spring, you better hope that your landlord knows some good cleaners!

Lauren (@lkmiller1014) can be found searching for fish tacos on the California coast.