Living on a college campus makes environmentalism difficult – from the constant stream of dining hall bags and the inaccessibility of buying local food, it’s normal for students to forego any attempt at environmentally conscious decisions. However, don’t give up – there are small changes you can make in your daily life!
1. Reusable Bags and Cups
The plastic bags from the dining halls add up. Try getting a reusable bag or making your own. There are tote bags for sale at most art stores, or you can try your hand at crocheting/knitting it yourself. If you are interested in taking an extra environmental step while supporting a student’s work, Kylen Matthews has begun to make reusable bags out of plastic bags!
With the convenience of buying Starbucks drinks on campus, it would also be a good idea to buy a reusable cup or thermos. Not only does this prevent using single-use cups, but you get a discount, and your drink stays hot/cold for longer!
2. Try Ecobricking
Ecobricking is an environmental concept originating in Guatemala. It was started to combat an excess of plastic accumulating around the country, and nowhere to put it. It has since become a popular way to environmentally “dispose” of trash.
These “bricks” can be used to build, including garden boxes, walls, and much more.
3. Efficient Heating
Many students do not realize the environmental impact their heating decisions can make. It is important to make efficient decisions about heaters/air conditioners in your space; it has been predicted that, in 25 years, around 25% of global warming will be due to heating and cooling.
Some simple ways to combat this are to avoid having your window open and AC on, your AC and heater on, or heater on and window open. These combinations largely cancel each other out, and only lead to wasting energy.
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