9 Small Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly in College
Taking care of our Earth is very important, but you might think that while you’re a college student there isn’t much you can do. But there are actually easy changes you never thought of that could help. Check out these nine ways to become more environmentally friendly as a college student.
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1. Wash Cups and Plates
As a college student the last thing you want to do is wash dishes, but it’s one of the best ways to be eco-friendly. Having plastic cups and dishes may make life a little easier at the moment, but you will be saving the earth in the long run.
2. Turn off the Lights
Although most universities leave lights on 24/7 for safety purposes, you can still do your part. If you’re leaving your dorm, be sure to turn your lights out. Or, if you’re the last one out of the classroom, turn off the lights in there too.
3. Use a Reusable Water Bottle
You’ll see most athletes walking around with their reusable water bottles or containers. Not only does this decrease the demand for plastic water bottles, but it also saves you money. You can make this easy change by using a reusable bottle yourself. You’ll be helping the environment and it looks cool!
4. Recycle
According to a recent study at Yale University, people in the U.S. recycle less than 22% of its discarded materials. Locate and utilize the recycling bins at your school and encourage others to use them as well.
5. Take Notes Electronically
Today’s world has become heavily focused on digital work and we have the availability to work and take notes from tablets, laptops, and even our phones. Take advantage of these resources because you’ll be able to save money on buying notebooks and loose-leaf paper, plus you’ll be saving the planet as well.
6. Take Shorter Showers
Everyone loves to take a nice relaxing shower, especially after a long day of classes. But shortening your time in the shower can create a major difference. If you shorten your time in the shower by two minutes, you’ll save 10 gallons every time you shower!
7. Eliminate Plastic Bags
Try to adapt to using reusable bags. Plastic has a hard time decomposing, so look into using a reusable tote bag when shopping. Plus, there are different types of tote bags that you can carry around to represent an organization or style and they can easily fold up and fit into your purse or backpack.
8. Change Your Traveling Style
As a college student, you probably don’t have access to a car. So, if you can’t walk to your destination, take public transportation or ride a bike. Uber (you can use UberPool to be even more eco-friendly) or Lyft are other good options.
9. Shop in Thrift Stores
Thrift and consignment stores are the best of both worlds: you can save money, still get stylish clothes, and help the environment. You’ll find plenty of nice clothes, accessories, and other items that seem new but are much less than the original price. You’ll be paying for previously made items instead of similar ones from a company that contributes to factory-made pollution.