Sustainable living is something we all should be striving for, but at times seems unattainable. It seems complicated and expensive, and overall not feasible, especially for college students working their way through school. But, a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Here are five small ways to integrate sustainability into your day-to-day life on campus.
Reusable Make-Up Wipes
Whether you use a face towel, small cotton wipes, or crochet your own, reusable make-up wipes are a great way to reduce your waste, and it’s such an easy switch to make. I use them with a regular, generic make-up remover, and I also use them with my toner. If you want to make it even easier, you can put the wipes in a jar and cover them in make-up remover and have them ready for use at the end of the night.
Reusable Water Bottle and/or Thermos
It’s practically an unwritten rule of being a CU Buff to walk around with an emotional support hydro flask—a dented and sticker-covered one at that. And there’s a reason for it: it’s super convenient. You stay hydrated, especially in the warming weather, and you reduce your plastic waste. You can take this a step further by using a thermos (a Yeti or Fellow) and using it for drinks other than water. I use mine for tea and lattes, hot and iced. An added benefit is that some cafés will give you a discount for using your own cup. Starbucks offers 10-cents off and 25 extra reward points when you bring your own cup.
Silicone Sandwich Bags
They’re a bit of an investment at first, but if you meal prep they pay off quickly. These reusable bags are dishwasher safe and the colors are super cute. I use mine practically every day, whether it’s for a pb&j sandwich, a homemade burrito, or a handful of pretzels. The seal makes it so that it doesn’t accidentally open in your bag, and they come in all sorts of sizes. You can find them at Peppercorn on Pearl St., Target, and Amazon.
Snake Plants
Not only are they super aesthetically pleasing, but they also act as air purifiers: they filter pollutants from the air, and they’re safe to keep in your bedroom. They’re very easy to care for and will live a long time.
Check out this Healthline article to read more about the benefits of snake plants.
Reusable Shopping Bag
Earlier this year, Boulder County implemented a 10-cent fee on all plastic bags to encourage people to use reusable bags instead. You can get these anywhere. Ones that I recommend are small ones that fold into themselves, that way you can keep it in your purse and always have one with you. It’s great for impromptu Target sprees and last-minute grocery runs.
Sustainability shouldn’t be hard. Small changes are the best way to start transitioning into a sustainable lifestyle, little things that are easy to integrate into your daily routine and that encourage you to keep being sustainable.