Climate change is a global issue that threatens our future. Our impact on the environment results in pollution, increased diseases, rising temperatures, and destroyed ecosystems. Unless we become more eco-friendly in our daily life and take action to curb climate change, the environmental issues will become irreversible.
Sustainable living starts with small changes that don’t need much effort or investment. It’s a choice. A choice to be more responsible and mindful about your actions. Here are 12 tips that will move you a step closer to sustainable living in college.
1. Bring a Reusable Bottle
Plastic water bottles are unnecessary waste. Yet, millions of them get thrown away every day. You can easily reduce this waste by getting a reusable bottle and using refill stations around your campus. In addition to reducing waste, this will also save your budget.
2. Borrow Books
Students need new books each semester. Instead of getting a new copy, you can get a book from the library or other students. It’s a perfect way to save some money and cut down on the use of resources needed for printing.
3. Go Digital
Another sustainability tip that involves reducing your paper usage is to make all your learning materials digital. Most books have electronic versions. Besides, you can take your notes and write essays digitally using research help from DoMyEssay, an online write my paper for me service for students. Aside from reducing waste and resource usage, keeping your learning materials digital makes them more accessible and portable. However, if you like taking your notes in longhand, consider using notebooks made of recycled material.
4. Be Mindful of Packaging
While choosing products in a store, try to pick those items that have less packaging or use eco-bags. Your purchasing decisions will encourage manufacturers to switch to more sustainable packaging options. This can potentially reduce the amount of trash and environmental pollution.
5. Unplug
Students can’t imagine their life without technology. On average, every person has five devices that they use daily. Although students can’t give up using them, occasional unplugging is a good strategy to reduce energy consumption and improve your well-being. Besides, consider pursuing an “unplugged” challenge one day of the week or trying tech-free weekends.
6. Switch to LED Light
Investing in LED bulbs might be more expensive than getting their alternatives. However, in the long run, they are more cost-effective as they last longer and consume less energy.
7. Turn Off the Water While Brushing Your Teeth
If you leave the water on when brushing your teeth, it just goes down the drain for a few minutes without any use. Remembering to turn it off is a practical habit that allows you to save this precious resource as well as the energy invested in cleaning and heating it.
8. Join On-Campus Initiatives
Every campus has its own green organizations that you can join and offer your help in raising environmental awareness. You can help them develop projects and organize events. Besides, there are also ways to donate clothes and furniture on campus to give these items a new life instead of throwing them away.
9. Support Brands That Promote Sustainability
Our purchasing decisions are a result of various factors. Yet, if you have the possibility, support brands that care for the environment, providing sustainable and organic products. Businesses are looking for ways to attract more clients and serve their needs. By choosing eco-friendly companies, you encourage whole industries to choose sustainable practices.
10. Plan Your Meals
Food waste is one of the biggest challenges. You can help curb the issue by getting only those products that you need. Also, consider taking your own lunch and using lunch boxes and bamboo cutlery instead of grabbing pre-packaged lunches wrapped in plastic.
11. Pay Attention to Local Seasonal Produce
By getting fruit and vegetables grown locally, you reduce carbon emissions from transporting foods. Yet, this refers not only to groceries. You can find any other living essentials locally and reduce the impact of their shipping on the environment.
12.Choose Eco-Friendly Products
Soap bars instead of bottled soap, bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic alternatives, beeswax wraps instead of clingfilm… These are some of the easiest product swaps. They are affordable and perform the same function as their plastic alternatives but don’t harm the environment.
To Sum Up
Change starts with small habits. By rethinking your purchasing behavior, reducing waste, and controlling your use of resources, you can minimize your ecological footprint. Individual effort of each person to be more mindful of their day-to-day activities makes it possible to slow down climate change and preserve the environment.
