Here at Maryland, we pride ourselves on having one of the most sustainable campuses in the country. It’s only fitting that we celebrate Earth Day in a memorable fashion.
Whether you’ve been a nature-lover all your life, or you’re just easing into going green, there are plenty of movements near you, just waiting for some eco-friendly allies to help make a difference. So here are five “easy peasy” environmental picks around campus guaranteed to ignite your inner Lorax.
1. Shop Till You Drop at Campus Drive’s Weekly Farmers Market.
One of the simplest ways to practice sustainability is to start eating more freshly produced, locally grown foods, preferably plant-based. We cannot tell a lie: Chick-fil-A is pretty amazing, BUT taking the time to support homegrown businesses benefits the local economy AND reduces your personal carbon footprint. Challenge yourself to eat locally for the better part of the day, and head to UMD’s Farmers Market this Wednesday, where they sell wine, cheese, honey, meat, produce and even flowers! You’ve got a lot to work with.
2. Venture to D.C. And View A Touching Art Gallery
UMD has some great on-campus galleries to gaze through. But if you want to make a day of it, get all dressed up and check out D.C’s “eARTh Day” Art Night April 22 at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, a free exhibit showcasing local artists and their perspective of planet Earth. And afterwards, sink your teeth into a sweet cherry blossom cupcake courtesy of Sticky Fingers, a fun vegan bakery in the area saving the world one sweet tooth at a time.
3. Splurge on an All-Natural Beauty Box
Petit Vour does all the hard work for you, and for only $15 a box. They compile a different array of vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable beauty products shipped to you every month, Petit Vour is a monthly subscription service that gifts you with cosmetic products every 30 days. Sure, a day of going green is cool, but on a monthly basis is even better. And you don’t even have to leave the couch to do it.
4. Walk Over to UMD’s Earth Day Festival.
Head over to Stamp Student Union for a couple hours to enjoy some good music, good conversation and good vibes as the Office of Sustainability hosts an event centered on environmental justice. You may come for the free food, but you will be staying for the much-needed pep talk.
5. Go Green At Your Favorite Online Shops
Cheap clothes are great. Cheap and environmentally conscious clothes are even better. As you build on your style for the summer, make sure to browse through brands you may not even know has eco-friendly options. Take for example, the ASOS’ Green Room: Eco Edit, where the store partners with others from all over the globe and features plenty of green options shipped in fair-trade.