Recently, President Donald Trump announced that the USA will be withdrawing their contract with the Paris Agreement. While this process takes about four years to complete, we should all still be weary of our own carbon footprints. You're probably thinking, "what is little old me going to change?", but if even only ten people implement these things, you can leave a mark on the future of the planet. Here are five things you can do to be more environmentally friendly, even if you're in college:
1. Recycle
Pretty easy. Just recycle your paper for class and your plastic bottles. Easy enough. Also, check plastic containers to see if it can be recyclable. Due to new technology, a lot more than you think can actually go in a recycling bin. There should be an embossed symbol on the bottom of the container identifying what kind of plastic it is and how to recycle it. Use Google for more assistance.
2. Use Reusable To-Go Containers
Invest in a steel tiffin and use that to take your food everywhere instead of a Ziploc bag. It looks cool and can hold all different kinds of food and keep it warm! I also highly recommend investing in reusable utensils.
3. Reusable Water Bottles
Just buy a steel water bottle. It keeps the water super cold. It's truly magical and a treat in obnoxiously hot weather. If you don't like tap water, maybe get one of those gallons or bigger sized containers of water from a supermarket rather than hundreds of smaller water bottles. One piece of plastic is better than 10.
4. Eat Less Meat
I'm not telling you to go vegan. But a lot of research suggests that meat agriculture is the number one contributor to global warming/climate change. If anything, cutting down on your red meat or even just eating three times a week rather than eight could make a huge difference. Maybe it'll even help with the health of your body, so double-whammy!
5. Buy Less Clothing
Clothing creates a lot of waste that ends up in landfills. Fast fashion companies such as H&M or Zara are big contributors to this waste and on top of that, have awful working conditions in third world countries that not many people discuss. Go watch the documentary "The True Cost" for more information on the fashion industry. If anything, go consignment/thrift shopping! You never know what you might find.
