Look: we all know it's not easy to prioritize the environment when you have 8 classes, a slew of extracurricular activities, and hours of homework every day. Even with all of the stresses of college in everyday life, there are simple ways that you can help make a difference in your carbon footprint. We all know to get Brita pitchers, but there other things you can do. Here are some (relatively) hassle-free ways to have your most eco-friendly semester yet.
1.Cut out single-use plastics where you can.
If you can, bring your own bags to the grocery store. Buy some reusable containers instead of plastic bags. Actually use the brita pitcher/water bottle that you bought at the beginning of the semester. Even buying bio-degradable makeup wipes can be a healthy switch from plastic products to environmentally friendly products in the semester. (A list of eco-friendly makeup wipes can be found here)
2. Pay better attention to littering.
I'll admit it. I am so guilty of having little papers in my bag/pockets that fall out, but if you can help it, try to limit this. It's bad for the environment and the community in which you live. It can be as simple as making sure that wrapper makes it into the trash can, or making sure you don't throw your piece of gum on the ground when you're done with it.
3. Try out Meatless Mondays.
I'm lucky enough to go to a school where there are a lot of vegetarian-friendly options, but this one can be tricky for a lot of people. Studies show that limiting your meat consumption, even by one day a week, can increase your lifespan by 3 years, lower your chance of getting cardiovascular disease and cancer, and can help significantly reduce your harmful impact on the environment. Even cutting meat out of one meal, three days a week can positively impact the environment.
4. Use the recycling bins on campus.
There are days where some of us just cave in and buy a water bottle or a can/bottle of coke because it's easier and we can't always be our best selves. That's ok, too! The university you're at most likely has recycling bins. They're probably spread across campus, and there's probably not enough of them, but they're there! Try to utilize them as much as possible.
5. Buy more consciously.
There are all kinds of eco-friendly products that you can switch out, from binders to power strips. Here's a list of eco friendly products that you can buy as replacements for your regular school supplies.
6.Try bringing reusable bags to the grocery store.
If you can't bring canvas bags, try bringing grocery bags from the last time you went shopping as an easy way of recycling, or even ask for paper instead of plastic.
7.Unplug your electronics when you’re not using them.
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but you can save a lot of power by unplugging your chargers/power strips when you're not using them. According to the US Department of Energy, up to 75% of energy used to power home appliances is used when they're not plugged in.
If you're curious about your carbon footprint, figure out your environmental impact here.
You can help the planet this semester by doing any of these simple things! So go ahead and make a difference this year and make our planet a better place to live!
