Sustainable living is a burning need of the hour. And with climate change and increasing natural hazards, each one of us should lead life more consciously and be mindful of how we use our resources.
However, if you are a student, it becomes a little difficult to understand what small life changes you can make to go greener in college. Limited budget and lifestyle choices can further challenge your will to reduce your carbon footprint.
So, how can you make a difference?
Here are some easy and affordable ways to be eco-friendly in college. Fortunately, these tips also help you save money and live more sustainably. Furthermore, just as you approach academic assistance services to “do my homework” and receive CPM homework help from professionals for your coursework, you can also consult with environmentalists in your region for guidance.
9 Ways to Be More Environmentally Conscious in College
Say No to Single-Use Goods
Single-use items are the most useless and damaging for nature and the earth. From disposable dishes to coffee mugs and straws, every single-use item is often made of non-compostable material. And even if you use compostable goods, oftentimes, these things end up in landfills and don’t decay as expected.
You can use reusable water bottles, metal straws, travel mugs, fabric towels, metal tea infusers, and beeswax food wraps to avoid using throwaway goods.
Opt for Eco-Friendly Commute
Another sustainable swap you can incorporate is to opt for a more eco-conscious commute in your day-to-day life. Many countries have started to move toward green mobility in recent years. Why? Because transport is one of the biggest sources of air and noise pollution.
To do your bit, walk to nearby locations, use bicycles for short distances, and use public transport, such as the metro, bus, and trains, for other commutes. Avoid driving a car if you travel solo.
Save Water and Energy
Saving water and energy is absolutely necessary due to the fact there is only limited drinkable and usable water. Besides, lots of water is used to create energy, and a lot of energy is used to process water. So, wasting either is unwise.
Try to be mindful of how you use these resources. Minimize long shower sessions to once a week or once two weeks. Finish up water in your bottle instead of throwing it away unnecessarily. Power off electronic items when not in use. Switch off lights and fans when you leave.
If any tap is leaking in your home or dorm room, get it fixed on priority. Learn tricks to recycle water and repurpose used water.
Replace Plastic With Natural Materials
Plastic is not only unfavorable for the environment, but it also seeps into your body, risking your health on many levels. Microplastic pollution is very real. In fact, scientists have recently found microplastic in almost 80% of blood samples. And we all know what this dangerous material does to animals and sea creatures.
Hence, try to eliminate plastic from your life. You can switch to organic fabrics for apparel, towels, innerwear, and even kitchen napkins. Use metallic or glass containers instead of Tupperware. Also, if you get periods, use period undies or menstrual cups and ditch commercial sanitary pads and tampons.
Buy Local and Organic
Local shopping does not only support domestic vendors, but it also cuts down on shipping and all the carbon footprint created in the process. Locally grown organic food is the best option for your health and environment since it is not tempered with chemicals. Besides, it helps reduce shipping on a large scale.
To be sure that your food is locally grown, look for seasonal vegetables and fruits. Non-seasonal items are stored in large amounts and preserved with chemicals to extend their shelf-life. So, if you buy such food items, you encourage these practices.
Use Reusable Bags to Shop
Single-use plastic bags have done more harm to the environment than you can imagine. Since polythene carry bags are produced in bulk, there is practically no way to trace how these bags are being disposed of. These polythenes often end up in water resources or pollute soil in open and forest areas.
It is best to own a few fabric bags, such as jute bags, canvas bags, and thick recycled plastic bags in different sizes. Carry them whenever you are out for grocery, vegetable, or other retail shopping.
Ditch Consumerism and Opt for Essentialism
While consumerism is said to be good for the economy, over-consumerism has created a huge waste and pollution problem. The never-ending urge to shop and consume goods is further fueled by discount sales and new launches every other season by brands.
Once you overcome this consumerism mindset, you will want to make the most of the products you own before discarding them. Step back for a moment when you feel the urge to buy something, analyze whether you need it, and purchase only if it is essential.
This mindset shift takes a lot of willpower in the beginning, but you eventually start to enjoy the minimal lifestyle.
Adopt Plants
Trees are the ultimate necessity in the fight against climate change. A simple step towards an eco-friendly lifestyle as a student can include adopting plants. You can plant one or two seeds nearby and take responsibility. Or you can simply buy some indoor or garden plants and nurture them. It won’t take much of your time but will improve your surroundings by purifying the air.
Delete Your Emails and Free Up Your Cloud Storage
Not many people realize that loads of emails and stuff on the cloud affect the environment. In fact, the cloud storage industry has a higher carbon footprint than the airline industry. The more data, the more energy the storage server would require. Hence, take time to clean your emails and storage. Delete unnecessary data, and unsubscribe from newsletter and ad campaigns you don’t need.
Conclusion
A sustainable lifestyle may sound fancy. But when you leave the life of convenience and become thoughtful of your actions, nothing can match the joy it brings. Try joining a campus campaign, educating yourself and your close ones, and learning more ways to live consciously. Contrary to popular belief, this switch is neither difficult nor costly. Start by making small changes in your life, and you will see how economical it is.
