Do you know how often your parents took care of the recycling for you when you lived at home? When the bins went out, when they came in, or when the bill was paid? Most college students would probably answer, no.

Life gets harder when you go off to college. You leave your hometown. Everything and everyone you know and are comfortable with are gone. You must leave your parents — and their wallets — behind and make due on your own: get an on-campus job, wash your own clothes, do your own dishes — it is madness

Another thing that many college students did not think twice about at home was how much — or little — their parents recycled for them. Recycling programs in your hometown take care of themselves as long as the residents pay the fees, fill the bin, and put the bin on the curb. Recycling programs on your college campus are a little bit different than in your hometown. It is completely free to take advantage of all the recycling programs on campus, but you must be proactive, locate the recycling drop off locations, separate everything yourself, and figure out who to talk to about more specific details when you have questions.

Thankfully, younger generations are becoming more aware of their environment and the need to Go Green in their everyday lives. Fortunately, college campuses are noticing the need for increased sustainability efforts on their campuses that are simple for maximum student participation.

"Increasing the number of recycling bins throughout campus, including in residence halls and classrooms, as well as outdoor bins," says Chad Carwein, East Carolina University's Sustainability Manager, "makes it easier to recycle, and that's the most important part — making it as simple as possible."

However, if you are still unsure of how to do so while starting out on your college campus, then continue reading for some easy tips and tricks on how to go green in college!

Overall, transitioning to college can be difficult, but one thing is becoming easier and that is being able to live a green lifestyle while mom and dad aren't around to help you.

"At ECU, we are working to make recycling as convenient as possible," Says Terry Little, ECU Recycling Coordinator, goes on to offer advice to students on campus' worldwide, saying, "Consume less — only what you need! This can mean eating only what you need in the dining halls, not leaving lights on when leaving a room, or leaving the water running when not in use."

These simple, yet vital recommendations can go a long way in kick-starting your college lifestyle going green and helping to save the planet!