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Politics and Activism

7 Ways To Reduce Waste Besides Ditching Straws

Yes, straws suck, but so do a lot of things.

Samantha Tremblay

Feb 14, 2019

The Ohio State University

Pixabay.com

We've all seen the news about plastic straw bans around the country. Some may even have seen that sea turtle video that showed just how badly we're making the environment for other animals. Overall, while banning straws is a step in the right direction, there are so many things we can all do to reduce how much we waste. If you think it's hard, here are 7 simple things you can do to help go green.

1. Use Mason Jars For Snacks

Yes, plastic bags may be easy to buy and grab on the go, but they ultimately all end up in the trash. Mason jars are easy to store food in, easy to carry around, and can be washed out and reused.

2. Reusable Water Bottles

Buying reusable water bottles not only prevents plastic ones from cluttering up your room and landfills, but you also won't have to go out and keep buying bottles when you run out. It's really a win-win situation.

3. Recycle Your Receipts Or Just Get Them Emailed

When you buy anything you get a receipt for it. They're little papers that can turn quickly into clutter. But they are paper and can be recycled or better yet, some places offer to just email you the receipt instead so you don't even have to waste the paper.

4. Eat Out Less

Restaurants can be huge sources of waste, so by eating out less you'll be saving money while playing your part in saving the environment.

5. Bring Your Own Coffee Cup

If you're always grabbing coffee in the morning, consider just buying your own cup to fill instead of constantly throwing away the cup you're given. Places like Starbucks even sell cups in their shops so you don't have to go out of your way.

6. Don't Support Fast Fashion

Fast fashion, while affordable, is rapidly produced by mass-retailers. Because the goal is to keep up with current fashion trends there's a lot of turnover and fast fashion brands aren't exactly environmentally friendly when making garments.

7. Donate Clothing You Don't Wear Anymore

We also need to focus on what happens to our clothes after we're done wearing them. If you grow out of your clothes or notice you don't wear them much anymore, consider donating them or selling them to used clothing shops instead of just throwing them away.

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

32772

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

96388

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

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waitlisted

Recommended for you

7 Ways To Reduce Waste Besides Ditching Straws

Yes, straws suck, but so do a lot of things.

1. Use Mason Jars For Snacks

2. Reusable Water Bottles

3. Recycle Your Receipts Or Just Get Them Emailed

4. Eat Out Less

5. Bring Your Own Coffee Cup

6. Don't Support Fast Fashion

7. Donate Clothing You Don't Wear Anymore

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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