With Earth Day just last week and the news coverage showing the many Marches for Science that sprung up across America, protecting our environment is a popular issue on many people’s minds. Particularly on a politically active campus such as Mount Holyoke, students are always looking for ways to engage with the issues they care about. While there are plenty of ways to practice sustainability, reducing waste is a simple goal that college students can practice. Being aware of the waste we create is the first step to reducing it. When you’re out and about on campus, keep these waste-reducing tips in mind!
1. I’ll take that to stay
While it’s incredibly convenient that Blanchard offers meals in to-go packaging and that to-go containers are available in the dining halls, these wrappers produce an incredible amount of waste. Obviously we all have busy schedules and using to-go containers is not always avoidable, but opting to have meals to stay is a great way to reduce waste.
2. Clean Your Plate
Food waste is an incredibly important issue, especially as we still have decentralized dining. To help reduce food waste, take only the food that you know you want to eat, and finish with a clean plate! Even if you compost unwanted food, that food still needs to be produced, stored, and prepared, all tasks that use energy and create waste on their own.
3. BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug)
Caffeine is a must for college students, there’s no denying it. Unfortunately, those one-time use coffee cups can be very wasteful. Invest in a reusable coffee mug and ask the barista to put your drink inside of it instead! Many coffee shops will even offer a discount for customers who bring a reusable mug!
4. Paper or Plastic? Neither
I would venture as far as to say that many college students don’t do very much shopping, because, well, we have no money. But on those occasions that you do take a trip to the grocery store or mall, bring your own bag so that you don’t need to take a single use paper or plastic one.
5. Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
When you can’t reduce, reuse. Obviously, some items you just have to use, but you can reduce waste by making single-use items into multiple-use items. For example, try rinsing off your plastic utensils at Blanch and sticking them in your bag for your next meal. Or if you do take a plastic bag when out shopping, give it a second life by using it as a trash bag.
While reducing waste many not always be the most convenient, it is incredibly important. Just making small changes to your habits can make a world of difference. Imagine the change we could make if all students on campus started doing something as simple as bringing a reusable coffee mug!
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