Now that 2016 is finally gone, people are looking to make 2017 a better year with countless New Year’s resolutions to make a change in their life. Here is my challenge to you: practice at least THREE (if not all) of these sustainable ideas this year that will make the world a better place, one person at a time.
1. Quit buying disposable dishes and silverware.
Plastic silverware is actually banned in France, and for a good reason. They stay in landfills and are only good for one time use. Styrofoam dishes are even worse, made of a synthetic material that is practically resistant to decomposition and production increases air pollution. Plus, it can be costly, constantly having to buy these things. Instead, invest in some real dishes and silverware. It might be a hassle to wash, especially if you don’t have a dishwasher, but it will save you money in the long run and keep your household/dorm room more sustainable. Look at places like Ross, T.J. Maxx, Walmart, Target, and even garage sales for great deals on dishware.
2. Don’t take a plastic bag if you don’t need one.
We’ve all been there, we bought two or three things at Walmart and are automatically given a bag. Next time, tell the cashier you don’t need a bag. You’ll have your receipt so it won’t look like you’re stealing what you just bought, and you’ll be eliminating waste that will go into landfills or litter around outside.
3. Bring your own shopping bags.
On a similar note, bring reusable shopping bags if you’re buying a lot. Most retail and grocery stores sell their own branded ones for a dollar or two, but just pick a favorite and use it everywhere, people won’t judge. Old Navy and Barnes and Noble have a good selection by the register. The hardest part about this is remembering to take them -- I usually leave a couple in my car and a couple right by the door so I’ll see them when I leave.
4. Use only one paper towel in public bathrooms.
I’ve been guilty in the past of waving my hand in front of the sensors three times to get the amount of paper towels I thought I needed to dry my hands with. However, just one will always do the job. You might have to rub them on your shirt a little bit, but they won’t leave any water on your clothes. Imagine how many people use a public restroom a day, then imagine how much waste we can eliminate if people only used one paper towel.
Bonus: use the towel you used to open the bathroom door to save your clean hands.
5. Open the curtains/blinds during the day.
You’ll get natural light in your room/house while saving money and energy. It’s a win-win! Studies have also shown that natural lighting increases concentration and betters your mood.
Read more about it here: http://www.archlighting.com/technology/the-benefits-of-natural-light_o
6. Recycle!
Surprise, plastics don’t like to decompose. They are resilient and will last years in landfills (although not as bad as styrofoam), or worse pollute the land and ocean. Recycling is one of the easiest things you can do to live a more sustainable life. Check with your city what plastics they recycle (that’s what the number is for on the bottom), or save up your recycling and take it to a nearby recycling center. Make sure you only recycle products your city can recycle!
You can recycle paper as well, which will go toward making new paper goods. Don’t throw away your school essays, recycle them! Save more trees from being cut down and reduce waste.
7. Start walking/biking to places or carpool.
This will save you money on gas, plus reduce emissions! If it’s a nice day out (which I know we won’t be getting any time soon), walk or bike to wherever you’re needing to go if it’s nearby. Another option is to carpool, or take public transportation.
Calculate your current carbon emissions here: http://www.terrapass.com/calculate
8. Reduce water usage.
You can do this many different ways, like taking shorter showers or doing fuller loads of laundry. This will also help cut down your water bill!
9. Thrift shop!
No, not Mackelmore’s hit 2013 song. Go thrift shopping for new clothes! Not only can you get some awesome finds, but it’s much cheaper, and more sustainable. “Reuse” is one of the Three R’s after all.
Bonus: shop at a thrift store that gives back to the community/poor/those in need.
Being sustainable doesn’t necessarily mean getting a solar panel for your house or a wind turbine in your backyard. It might not seem like using one less paper towel after washing your hands or recycling a couple of cans a week will make a difference, but if you can challenge your friends to make a difference, and they challenge their friends, and so on, we can reduce our ecological footprint significantly and live healthier, more sustainable lives. All it takes is you to say yes to the challenge.
