We are all on Twitter, right? So we have all seen the pictures of how the world needs us to save it because we are the ones destroying it. Naturally, my heart went out for the oceans and deforestation. I wanted to help in any way I could. I started my research and came down to a couple of things I could do.
Plastic Bottles When I got to college in August 2018, my roommates and I were buying cases of water almost twice a week. In the back of my mind, I felt so horrible about using so much plastic when I could do something about it. Every Pinterest board for what you need your freshman year in your dorm had a Brita water pitcher in it. My mom told me it would be a waste of money because I would never use it. I listened to her. Then one day, I was on Amazon searching for things I didn’t need to spend my money on and found a Brita water bottle. How cool is that? I bought that and five filters and my total was barely $30. It was a little much but in the long run, I actually saved money from not buying so many cases of water bottles. The bottle itself was around $18. Throughout the semester, I began to see girls in my hall using the filtered water bottles and felt so proud of myself. No one on my floor uses plastic water bottles anymore! One small move could make a bigger impact.
Plastic Bags I HATE plastic bags so much. They are only used once to transport things from the store to your room and then your trash can. Reusing them as trash bags is cool and all until you have to carry five out to the dumpster. Usually, I would only use them a total of two times and to me, that wasn’t enough. My family goes to truck shows because my dad drives a semi so we have TONS of the reusable shopping bags that they send home with you. Living in a dorm and on meal swipes doesn’t require much shopping, but I love a good Target run. Target has paper bags that you can use too so if you don’t have the reusable ones then you’re all set. You just have to say something to get the paper bags. I have about three reusable bags that I keep in my trunk in case I go on any impromptu grocery runs. Most stores usually have the reusable bags for a couple of dollars near the checkout lanes anyways, so pick a couple up and let’s save the earth together!
Printing I don’t print documents unless I have to. I try to not use as much paper if I can help it.
You don’t have to be all in when you go green. If you’re not using as many plastic bags and use a couple of reusable ones then you’re off to a great start. As long as you’re trying, the earth still appreciates you.