Sustainability Bingo is a rewarding way to learn about how UNL is committed to sustainability and the individual actions faculty, staff, and students can take to make a difference and help UNL reach its sustainability goals! Bingo activities represent the different dimensions of sustainability and are intended to foster increased awareness around why sustainability is the smart choice for UNL and how individuals can achieve greater sustainability in their lives on campus.
How to Play:
Sustainability Bingo is completed at your own pace and self-reported using the form linked below. How you decide to track your progress is up to you!
Use the bingo card image and information below to view the activities and additional instructions.
Decide what activities you want to complete in a row, column or diagonal to earn a bingo.
Participants are eligible to earn incentives based on the number of bingos completed.
Tier 1 = Complete 1 row, column or diagonal
Tier 2 = Complete 2 rows, columns or diagonals
Tier 3 = Complete all bingo activities
Once you have a Bingo (Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3), submit the Sustainability Bingo Completion form
Please note that some activities require a response to validate completion!
The Office of Sustainability will review your submission and contact you with instructions for picking out your reward. Rewards are designed to help you continue to build sustainable habits in your life on campus.
The completion form will ask you to log-in using your NU ID so that you may leave without losing your progress.
Submit the Bingo Completion FormQuestions?
If you have any questions about Sustainability Bingo, email the Office of Sustainability.
Email the Office of Sustainability
Activity 1
Take Waste All in the Hall
Locate the nearest All in the Hall recycling station.
Learn about UNL’s All in the Hall recycling program and your role in recycling on campus by visiting the webpage, which offers information about recycling right. Don’t forget to check out the videos for a brief overview of the program!
Activity 5
Beet Food Waste
Switch up your dining habits to reduce waste.
Stop food and packaging waste from entering the landfill! When bringing food from home, pack your lunch with reusable containers. If visiting a campus dining center, choose to dine-in or select a reusable to-go container and bring your own cutlery. UNL Dining Services is also doing the work to divert food waste from the landfill by using biodigesters in campus dining centers. Learn more about the biodigesters here!
Activity 9
Know What You Throw
Know the steps to take before recycling.
Being aware of what you can and cannot recycle on campus is an important first step to recycling right at UNL. Check out UNL’s recycling guide and remember to ensure all items are empty, clean, and dry before recycling to avoid contamination.
Activity 13
Ditch the Disposables
Sign up for your ReusePass account.
Dining on campus? Make sure you register for a ReusePass account and opt to use a reusable to-go container for your next meal at Selleck, Abel, or the Nebraska East Union dining centers. One reusable container replaces 1,000 disposable containers, which is equivalent to three years of daily lunches.
Activity 2
Don’t be a Litter Bug
Pick up litter on campus.
It is everyone’s responsibility to protect UNL’s beautiful campus and maintain a safe environment. Be mindful to not litter and pick up any litter you might find. This is a great way to support UNL’s Landscape Services team, as it allows them to focus on keeping campus beautiful, safe, and sustainable!
Activity 6
Ride on the Sustainable Side
Walk, bike, or bus to your next class or meeting.
UNL is recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University and has partnered with BikeLNK, Lincoln’s bike share program, to make bicycling accessible and affordable for campus community members. UNL faculty, staff, and students can purchase their unlimited annual BikeLNK membership at a discounted price of only $25 - which is a 75% discount!
Activity 10
Slay Energy Vampires
Reduce your energy use by unplugging.
Energy vampires are devices and appliances that continue to use energy even when turned off. You can slay energy vampires by using power strips and unplugging devices when not in use. Also, don’t forget to use energy saving features such as sleep mode, or turning a device off rather than leaving it in standby mode.
Activity 14
Branch Out
Connect with the Office of Sustainability.
Follow the Office of Sustainability on Instagram and/or subscribe to the Sustainability Scoop newsletter for events, updates, and to learn more about how you can participate. You can also reach out with any sustainability-related questions or request resources by connecting with the team via email.
Activity 3
Don’t Landfill, Refill
Identify and replace a single-use item.
Swap disposables for more sustainable alternatives like reusable bottles, containers, bags, or cutlery. Campus buildings make it convenient to refill at water bottle filling stations, and most coffee shops on campus offer discounts for using a reusable cup or mug!
Activity 7
Touch Grass
Spend some time outside.
Taking a break to connect with nature can benefit your mental and physical health. UNL's campus is recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor Day Foundation! This program is a framework for colleges and universities to grow their community forests and create a campus their students and staff are proud of. Check out these campus spots or use one of the outdoor walking routes created by HealthierU.
Activity 11
Be Sun-Sational
Use the power of the sun to reduce energy use.
The sun is a powerful tool that can reduce the amount of energy you use! If you have access to a window, sunlight can be used to illuminate your space on sunny days and warm it when it is cold outside. If the rays are too strong, close your shades to naturally regulate the temperature and keep your space cool.
Activity 15
Cultivate Wellness
Engage with HealthierU or the Well-being Collective.
Learn about the important connections between sustainability and wellness. Participating in the HealthierU Employee Wellness Program, attending a HealthierU Webinar, or meeting with a student Well-being Ambassador are great ways to increase your wellness.
Activity 4
Claim Your Free Bus Pass
Claim and download your StarTran bus pass.
All UNL students, faculty and, staff are eligible for a StarTran bus pass. Bus and van services connect UNL campuses with full weekday routes and schedules. Campus bus routes #22, #24, and #25 run every 10 minutes during business hours!
Activity 8
Explore Sustainability
Attend or host a sustainable event.
Many campus events address different dimensions of sustainability. Consider attending an event listed on the Sustainability Events Calendar; you can even subscribe to stay up to date on upcoming events! If you’re planning your own, you can also check out the Sustainable Event Guide and Certification Program to incorporate action items to achieve a sustainable event rating!
Activity 12
Change up Your Commute
Test out a sustainable commute option.
Try riding a bike, taking a bus, or carpooling for your next trip to and from campus. Sustainable commuting protects the environment, promotes healthy living, and can save money in the long run. Staff and faculty can utilize the UNL carpool program to share the cost of a parking permit.
Activity 16
Dress for Success
Reduce your energy use by dressing for the weather.
Choosing lightweight clothing in summer, warmer clothes in winter, and dressing in layers allows you to adapt to varying conditions in your space and be comfortable without having to adjust the thermostat.
