Let’s be honest. It can be quite the challenge to be eco-friendly in college. With classes, homework, studying, and keeping up socially, it can be difficult to keep mother nature in mind.
Fortunately, being eco-friendly doesn’t mean you have to break the bank or devote too much of your time and effort. In fact, it can save you money in many ways! I mean, how can you go wrong with that? Here are some simple ways to be an eco-friendly college student that you can start doing during Earth Week!
Buy only what you will use
Again, if we’re being honest with ourselves, we have bought things we thought we’d use, but just ended up sitting on the shelf collecting dust.
Buying more than we need causes direct and indirect costs to the environment such as the energy consumed and pollution emitted in the exploitation of natural resources, as well as in manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of the items.
Avoiding impulsive purchases and making a fair assessment of use and need before purchasing will significantly lower these costs. When you do need to make purchases, look for long-lasting alternatives with the least amount of packaging and the smallest carbon impact possible
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Buy secondhand
Where can you find long-lasting items? Go to secondhand stores or even browse on eBay, Craigslist, or Offer Up and browse for items you need. Secondhand items are just as appealing and practical as new ones and giving a household item a second life can reduce its carbon impact by half. Who knows, you may even find an item at a great cost and condition!
All in all, secondhand shopping is better for the planet, and also gives opportunities for individuals who are underserved to find fashionable and affordable wardrobe items.
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Unplug your electronics
While they may not be in use, standby power is utilized by many electronic devices such as televisions, microwaves, and printers to reduce warm up power. Because most of our electricity originates from fossil fuels, disconnecting useless gadgets minimizes our carbon footprint.
Using power strips for idle electronics can simplify plugging and unplugging, just be sure to unplug or flip the switch when not in use!
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Drive more efficiently
Accelerations and high speeds consume gasoline quickly, while sudden stops lose energy. Driving gently can reduce you gas mileage significantly and can even extend the life of your vehicle.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your car runs at peak efficiency and resolving significant maintenance issues can increase mileage.
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Volunteer!
Volunteering allows you to meet new people, remain up-to-date on current environmental concerns, and make a difference in maintaining our planet. Whether it’s picking up litter, clearing trails, fundraising, or teaching others, your time can make a positive impact!
Learn more about volunteer opportunities by attending the last ASI volunteer meeting of the semester on April 28 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom Click here to register!
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Alt text: Simpson characters gathered and raising their hands to volunteer
Everyone can make a difference, especially when environmentally conscious decisions become second nature and even influence others to take similar actions. Doing the right thing for the planet’s future might even provide personal benefits. It may help tap you into your creativity, get you more involved in your community and the worlds, and overall help you live a better lifestyle. What ways are you going to practice being eco-friendly? Let us know on ASI social media on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at @asicpp.
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