This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Seton Hall chapter.
While recycling and turning off the lights are great, there are simple ways that we humans can be more productive in helping planet earth… Here are a few things that we do and may not realize how we are harming the Earth:
- Using Straws
- Plastic straws while convenient when you are trying to drink things without messing up your lipstick are not recyclable. Since you cannot recycle them, many end up in landfills and the ocean, which can be harmful to animals. If you must use straws, spending money on stainless steel or glass straws can make a huge difference because of the simple fact that they are reusable.
- Leaving Your Computer On
- Although no ever really turns their computer off (because why would you), leaving it on drains too much energy. Energy.gov recommends turning it off when you are not using it to conserve energy. Shutting down your computer if you are not going to use it for more than two hours can make all the difference.
- Wearing Jeans
- Levi Jeans apparently use 3,480 liters of water to make their denim. That is the equivalent to running a garden hose for 2 hours. Jeans while a staple in your closet are definitely not helpful to the environment at all. Limiting your denim ownership to two pairs of jeans max can make all the difference.
- Wasting paper
- Although paper can be recycled, most paper is not. Read the newspaper online and use reusable washcloths instead of napkins and paper towels.
Doing those simple things can make a huge difference in the world.