10 Ways to Be More Sustainable As a Student
Environmental problems are at the top of the list of the most relevant issues. In response to this issue, more and more people are getting started with a sustainable lifestyle and taking care of the ecology. You might think you need to change a lot of your daily habits to do this but, in fact, becoming more conscious and eco-friendly is much easier than it might seem, especially for students. Below are ten easy steps towards becoming more sustainable as a student.
10 Ways to Be a More Sustainable Student
Can one student change the state of the environment? Well, every student who begins to change their lifestyle in order to protect the environment will be able to make real changes to the overall picture. Below you will find simple tips to change not only the ecological situation, but also change your life for the better.
1. Reduce Plastic Use and Sort Your Trash
The first point to start is to try to reduce plastic consumption. How to do it? Give preference to products that have eco-friendly packaging, avoid plastic tableware, and so on. If you can’t completely isolate yourself from plastic products, then be sure to sort the garbage. This is an important step on the sustainable path.
2. Get A Coffee Mug and Refillable Bottle
According to statistics, students drink coffee for various reasons, but it does tend to be a daily ritual. Whatever your reason, there’s no question coffee consumption by students directly affects the volume of waste stemming from paper cups and plastic lids. To reduce it, consider buying a reusable coffee mug for these purposes. The same goes for the water bottle. Grab a refillable water bottle and take a big step in the fight against plastic.
3. Buy a Bamboo Toothbrush
A bamboo toothbrush is a must-have for every eco-conscious person. Firstly, such toothbrushes are eco-friendly. Secondly, they are really pleasant to use and more effective than plastic toothbrushes.
Why choose an eco-friendly brush? Just imagine it could take 400 years to recycle one toothbrush. Now let’s remember the recommendation from the dentist that your toothbrush should be changed every three months. As a result, this is a minimum of four toothbrushes per year. Using a bamboo toothbrush generates less plastic waste and is better for the environment.
4. Choose Eco Transport
Many students may want to buy a car but, if you think logically, the need for this type of transport is not always so significant. If you are living near the university, then it is quite possible to get there by bicycle. Riding a bicycle to campus will reduce emissions into the environment. It can also help put you in a good mood and even improve your health. Riding the bus, carpooling or taking the train can be other eco-friendly options. Give preference to eco transport whenever it is reasonable.
5. Eat Healthy Food
Redefining your approach to nutrition can also help you to join the green community. Most of the food students choose involves various packaging and containers that take a long time to decompose. Therefore, if you switch to a healthy diet, choose fresh fruits and vegetables and prepare your own food, this can change the situation for the better. Moreover, it will benefit not only the environment, but also your health.
6. Save Energy
Everyone talks about saving their time, but they sometimes forget about saving energy. Let’s say, for example, you left your laptop on charge for a whole day, even though it is already fully charged. During this time, your laptop continues to consume power. Therefore, make it a habit to turn off all devices and equipment. This can save between $100 and $200 per year. Turning off lights in room not in use can also help save energy.
7. Control Your Water Consumption
It is worth paying attention to water consumption too. For example, when you brush your teeth, you can turn off the water until you need it to rinse your brush. There is research that shows by 2030, demand for freshwater will exceed supply by 40%. So, it is worth considering using water rationally. Perhaps you can shorten your time in the shower or save water while washing dishes, too.
8. Choose Eco-Friendly Shopping
Even a change in the way we shop can have a positive impact on the environment. Most stores, today, strive to be eco-friendly. For example, in some stores, you can come with your containers, glass jars or bottles to buy cereals and other bulk products.
Many other stores have begun using more eco-friendly packaging and safe products. So, even the choice of a store can affect the environment and this is a good chance to create changes in ecology.
The same goes for fashion. Consider buying one high-quality outfit instead of five from the mass, fast fashion market. Better yet, opt for eco fashion over conventional clothing.
9. Choose Used or Recycled Notebooks and Books
Did you know, the average US person uses 700 pounds of paper per year? For this reason, it is worth paying attention to what you buy. Today there are notebooks created from recycled materials, which can do a lot to help save the forests. In addition, the cost of such notebooks are typically in the same range as ordinary ones. And such notebooks and notepads also have excellent designs for every taste.
In some instances, you may be able to buy books from other students who no longer need them, or even suggest an exchange. If you change your mindset to think with not always having to buy new, you’ll save some money and benefit the environment.
10. Join Campus Activists
There is no doubt there are activists on your campus, or within your college community, who are committed to eco-friendly goals. Such communities are a good way to make positive changes, find like-minded people and learn a lot of new interesting information. Also, such communities often create various programs for students to allow them to learn more about environmental issues. You will also be able to better dwell on your experience when writing sociology and ecology papers.
Wrapping Up
Following these tips is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The benefit is, you save the environment, make your life better, and even save a little money. Isn’t becoming sustainable worth it?
Author Bio: Frank Hamilton has been working as an editor at essay review service Writing Judge and an author at Best Writers Online. He is a professional writing expert in such topics as blogging, digital marketing and self-education. He also loves traveling and speaks Spanish, French, German and English.
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