This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northeastern chapter.

We’ve all heard it: climate change is upon us, and if we don’t change our ways Planet Earth will be doomed.

In reality yes, climate change and pollution are serious threats in need of global attention, so it’s easy to feel like your personal efforts are not going to make a difference. When faced with this dilemma try to keep in mind that little changes will always accumulate, which lead to bigger changes and great impact. This is true in every aspect of our lives. Little things matter, we should never forget that.

First of all, being environmentally friendly is not just about fighting climate change. It’s also about adjusting your lifestyle to live sustainably, healthily, and in harmony with the environment. We should all strive to be eco-friendly, if not for the planet then for ourselves. Here are a few simple ways to do just that.

The Basics

1. Go paperless

From books, to bills, bank statements, movie tickets, and travel passes. By going paperless, you can get rid of so much clutter in your purse and/or desk. Oh, and you will also be saving trees. It’s a win-win.

2. Unplug and turn off

Many electronics use up energy even when they are turned off, which is bad for the environment and your wallet. In fact, electronics in standby mode are responsible for more than $10 billion in annual energy costs in the U.S. So try unplugging your electronics when they are not in use. This includes chargers, appliances, TV’s, etc.

3. Print double-sided

Have a big paper due? Ask your professor if he/she would be okay with double-sided printing. Want to print a professor’s 50-slide Power Point presentation? Try adjusting the printing format so you can fit more slides in each page.

4. Switch to fluorescent

Compact fluorescent lamps (CLF’s) last between 8 to 10 times longer than traditional light bulbs, while using 75 percent less energy and producing 90 percent less heat. It sells itself, really.

PS. Remember to turn off all lights before leaving a room.

Water Mindfulness

5. Limit usage

This is pretty straightforward: only have water running when you need it running. Take shorter showers and close the faucet while you brush your teeth, soap your hands, or scrub dishes. This easy habit tweak can lead you to save between 40 and 90 gallons of water every day, depending on the efficiency of your utilities.

6. Drink tap

It’s hip and it’s free. It takes three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water… such a waste. Here in Boston, tap water is subject to many strict regulations that make it safe for everyone to drink. In fact, Boston just won the 2014 “Best of the Best” Tap Water Taste Contest, so there’s literally zero reasons why you shouldn’t drink tap.

7. Eat less meat

Practically every product has a water footprint (the volume of water needed to produce the product), and beef has one of the biggest. Believe it or not, in the United States it takes approximately 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. By cutting down on the amount of meat you consume per week, you will also be conserving water.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

8. Recycle properly

Unfortunately, many recyclables containing traces of food or oil are not accepted and can contaminate other recyclables, sending entire batches to landfills. That cheesy, oily, delicious pizza you ordered? Don’t recycle the pizza box, Northeastern won’t accept it. That plastic container filled with leftovers from the North End? Rinse it first and then place it in the recycling bin.

Also, it is actually illegal to throw rechargeable batteries away. Luckily, Northeastern has a drop-off bin at the bookstore where you can recycle your cellphone and computer batteries.

9. Use reusable containers, mugs, and bottles

Again, there’s no need to buy plastic water bottles. There are water fountains everywhere on campus. And many of them include a bottle-filling station. You could also consider using travel mugs and eco-friendly snack bags, as opposed to paper cups and containers.

10. Don’t pour cooking oil down the drain

Whatever you do, never pour cooking oil down the sink. It clogs sewer lines and may cause sewer spills, which harm the environment and your drain. The best thing you can do is wait for the cooking oil to cool, pour in a plastic container, and either reuse it or throw it in the trash.

11. Get creative

Before throwing anything away, ask yourself: Can I recycle it? Perfect, throw it in the bin. Can I reuse it? Good, save it for later. Can I donate it? Great, Northeastern has a Trash2Treasure program where you can donate items during move-out dates. Can I make anything with it? Marvelous, get crafty. Turn an empty wine bottle into a flower vase, or a mason jar into a pencil holder. The sky’s the limit on this one.

Know What You Buy

12. Avoid microbeads

Not all scrubs are created equal. A lot of them contain microbeads, which are microscopic plastic beads that make their way from the drain into oceans and lakes. Fish eat the microbeads, and then we eat the fish. How does it feel to know you might have consumed plastic bits of someone else’s face wash? Yuck.

13. Organic vs. “Natural”

Did you know the term “natural” is not regulated? When you buy a product because it calls itself “all natural,” you’re not buying as eco-friendly as you think. To put it in perspective, it’s okay to call high fructose corn syrup “natural.” However, the FDA strictly regulates the term “organic”. When you buy organic, you can trust that the product was made using specific practices and complying with various regulations.

14. Buy local

“Food miles” refers to the distance food has traveled to your plate. The longer the distance, the less nutritional value the product will have. It won’t be as fresh. Also, processed products require more water and energy to produce. And considering the greenhouse gasses emitted by transporting food, it becomes clear that buying local is the eco-friendly way to go. So hop on over to one of Boston Farmers Markets, they’re great.

Sources

http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/dpw/recycling/residents/cfl.asp

http://www.entrustenergy.com/25-ways-to-save-on-electric-bills-unplug-your-appliances

http://ianrnews.unl.edu/shorter-showers-new-technology-can-save-water-use

http://pacinst.org/publication/bottled-water-and-energy-a-fact-sheet/

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/18/boston-wins-annual-tap-water-taste-contest/

http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/2012/03/virtual-water-real-impacts-world-water-day-2012/

http://www.wm.com/thinkgreen/what-can-i-recycle.jsp

http://www.northeastern.edu/facilities/guidelines.html

http://www.guc.com/cease-the-grease

https://sites.google.com/site/nutrash2treasure//about

http://gizmodo.com/why-those-little-plastic-microbeads-in-your-soap-are-so-1588673783