At less than $2 a pound, brown rice bought in bulk delivers whole grain nutrition with a minimum of packaging. Add veggies, soup, sauces, or anything else you can scrounge up.

This one appliance can help set you free from dependence upon the cafeteria. Many cookers come with a steamer basket that can be used for making a complete meal. The automatic shutoff models shouldn't pose a problem with dorm fire codes, but check first. A great appliance to share in a common kitchen.

Prepared with a coffee maker or a French press and an electric kettle, coffee and tea help make all-nighters happen. Investing in your own supply (preferably fair trade) can save a bundle compared to running to the on-campus coffee shop. Add a refillable thermal cup and imagine how many paper cups you'll keep from the landfill.

It's nice to cool down during the warm months, but iced coffee drinks and frozen treats can be pricey. Make your own coffee ice cubes for iced coffee. For popsicles, experiment with fruit juices, or fruit/tea combinations like hibiscus and lime. Here's great list of unusual recipes...green tea root beer? applesauce?..to get you started.

Let's face it: college life may be exciting, but eating on a budget can get a little bland. In your dorm room, a community garden, or as a dorm project, start an herb garden. Many herbs, from oregano to rosemary to basil, will produce a good supply with a minimum of care. Besides adding much-needed flavor to your frugal meals, they will bring a little nature to your windowsill.

Another treasure from the bulk bins, GORP, otherwise known as trail mix, can keep the munchies at bay without supplying empty calories. Peanuts, raisons, apricots, sesame seads, cashews, and anything else that catches your fancy can be carried around in reusable containers for on-the-go snacking.

Whether for late study sessions or early morning classes, breakfast food is fast and convenient. It can also come in unnecessary packaging, which comes at a price to your wallet and the environment. Bulk grocery stores offer both cold and hot varieties without the brand name prices. Making your own oatmeal packets--cinnamon included--sets you back a fraction of what the store-bought envelopes cost...even better is branching out to other hot grains like quinoa, barley, and kashi.

Another great community effort is composting. Some schools don't allow bins inside the dormitories; others have community compost piles. Here are some basic instructions for setting up a worm composting bin if you do have someplace to put it like a balcony. Read about UC Davis students' experience with composting. However you go about it, composting reduces the food waste that ends up in landfills where it creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

College is a transient time, perfect for trying new things...and often leaving them behind when moving on to other things. This leads to a tremendous amount of waste, especially at the end of semesters. Some schools or dorms have informal swap piles, where students can leave their still-useful goods for others' benefit.