We may all know that it’s Emory Earth Month, and occasionally get a pamphlet shoved in our face with random facts and figures, what does being a green Collegiette really mean? It’s actually much simpler than it sounds. Her Campus Emory has compiled a list of small changes for you to make a huge difference.
1. Get some cute reusab
le bags. According to Californians Against Waste, in California, 19 million plastic bags are used annually which translates into $25 million a year to get them all into landfills where they don’t biodegrade, and can end up in oceans. And that’s just in one state!
2. Recycle what you absolutely must get rid of. There are bins all over campus so there’s no reason not to.
3. Hit up thrift stores for cheap, vintage and unique wear. Thrift stores keep still usable items out of landfills and keep money in your wallet – it’s a win/win situation! As an added bonus, chances are no one else will be out wearing the cute top you picked up at Clothing Warehouse.
4. Cut back on meat cons
umption or try out vegetarian/veganism. It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to yield just 1 lb. of meat while the same amount of wheat only takes 25 gallons! Vegan diets consume 300 gallons of water daily; meat-eating diets take 4,000!
5. Buy local. There’s an on-campus Farmer’s Market every Tuesday – hit it up for food that hasn’t had to travel across the globe burning fossil fuels along the way. Handmade Chocolate Sea Salt Pops? Fresh made salsa? Yum.
6. Unplug electronics when not in use. We all know to turn off the lights when we leave a room, but 40% of energy usage comes from appliances that are turned off but still plugged in! There’s no need to leave the hair straightener you use 30 minutes a day plugged in but off 24/7.
7. Get rid of paper cups and plates. Yes, we all hate cleaning up after eating, but reusable kitchen supplies don’t make tons of trash and look better anyways!
8. Carry a
reusable thermos for those coffee/tea runs. Starbucks even offers at 10 cent discount on your drink when you do. 10 cents a day can add up to tons of savings!
9. Bike. Especially now that the weather’s nice, give your car a rest and break out your bike or one of Bike Emory’s for some fresh air, exercise and earth-friendly travel.
10. Spread the word! The more people make these small changes, the bigger the overall impact will be.
This Earth Month, don’t just hit up the free fair trade coffee tasting and then forget about it, but keep living green all year long!
Happy Earth Month!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emory chapter.