As college students, saving the earth and helping the environment are not typically things we think about every day. However, there are a lot of easy things that we can do to help save the earth that can really add up to make a significant difference.
Here are some examples of things you can start doing daily to help the environment:
1. Cut up six-pack rings before throwing them away. Dolphins, turtles and other sea life can get seriously injured by getting stuck in plastic rings if they get into the ocean.
2. Recycle. Get a plastic bin and put it next to your trash can, and once a week, take your recyclables to your nearest recycling location if you don't have recycling pick-up.
3. Make sure your tires are fully inflated to gain optimal gas mileage.
4. Whenever you can, print on both sides of paper.
5. Don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth.
6. Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room.
7. Whenever possible, avoid using plastic lids or straws.
8. Shorten your shower by a few minutes. This can really add up and save a significant amount of water!
9. Don’t hold the refrigerator door open any longer than you need to.
10. Turn your thermostat up a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter.
11. Use eco-friendly products to clean and avoid harsh chemicals.
12. Unplug your devices when they are done charging.
13. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. This will also make it easier to take only one trip from your car to your dorm or apartment!
14. Turn off your computer at night and whenever else you’re not using it for a period of time.
15. Use a reusable bottle instead of buying bottled water. This saves money too! Simply buying a Brita filter costs significantly less than buying a bottle of water every day.
16. Do not litter! It can be so tempting to toss your red solo cup on the ground on the way to a party, but it's not that hard to just find the nearest trash can.
Some of these may seem obvious, but it's so easy to forget about them. Just making a few small changes to your daily routine can make a huge impact on the environment!
