POTSDAM – SUNY Potsdam’s College Store and Union Market are making efforts to stay environmentally friendly.

The stores, operated by Potsdam Auxiliary and College Educational Services (PACES), have added recycled and low-impact items to their stock, and they have invested in energy-efficient LED flood light bulbs for both stores, which last 10 to 12 years and use significantly less power.

The College Store is offering biodegradable caps and gowns for SUNY Potsdam’s Commencement ceremonies. The biodegradable fabric has been approved by the USDA and is a certified bio-based product.

“Our goal is to be good stewards for our students and for the environment, which means selling as many recycled products at a fair price as possible,” said Carlie Robinson, director of the College Store.

The College Store and the Union Market are “going green” by:

• purchasing from local vendors like the Potsdam Food Co-op whenever possible

• promoting and partnering with the College’s Physical Plant to recycle old batteries and cell phones; recycling ink cartridges

• selling BPA-free water bottles and travel mugs so members of the campus community can reduce waste from one-use cups

• selling compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)

• buying, selling and renting used textbooks, fiction and non-fiction

• selling recycled paper items, including greeting cards, paper, spiral notebooks, binders, pocket folders, sketch pads and journals, as well as other recycled items like pens and frames

• selling previously viewed movies and games

• selling environmentally safe cleaning supplies, all-natural laundry soap, and all-natural cosmetics.