When it comes to environmental destruction, everyone is guilty. When we drive every day, we are consuming gasoline. In using gasoline, we are fueling the extraction of crude oil in our oceans. When we make the decision to use plastic bags over reusable bags, we are making the active choice to use a product that requires either disposal or special recycling methods, both of which take energy. When we dump thousands of pounds of road salt onto our snowy roads, we are increasing local and regional water salinity levels, which can result in coral bleaching and poor tap water quality. Everything leads back to us, as individual consumers. Here’s what you can do as a college student to minimize having a negative impact on the environment.
REUSE PLASTIC BAGS
If there ever comes a time when you forget to take a reusable bag to Giant or Weis, keep the plastic bags. When move-in or move-out time rolls around, use the plastic bags to wrap fragile items or bag up food to take back home during break. Plastic bags can also be reused when grocery shopping or taken to local collection bins for proper disposal.
TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
Rather than wasting water, reduce shower time by setting alarms or creating a music playlist that lasts five to ten minutes. There’s nothing wrong with taking a long shower here and there after a long day, but even reducing your average time is a step in the right direction.
SHOP LOCAL FOR GROCERIES
Giant and Weis are the go-to locations for college students when it comes to grocery shopping. Instead, try shopping local at Renninger’s Farmers Market on Noble St. The market sells food, produce and various products from local farms and family-owned businesses. Supporting these businesses will discourage shipping of produce and other products across the country. Local produce is also said to be safer to consume, contain little to no pesticides and preserve green space that would otherwise be bought by developers.
RECYCLE
Though KU has single-stream recycling, students should recycle whenever possible. Doing so saves energy, protects the environment and reduces landfill. Buy a small recycling can or cheap bin from Walmart and use it to separate recycling from trash.
USE REUSABLE DISHES
Students are typically eager to stock up on plastic utensils, paper or plastic plates and straws. Instead, buy reusables. Avoid ceramic and opt for bamboo or melamine plates that won’t break as easily and will be easier to clean. Get a set of reusable utensils and a metal straw. Doing this will save money in the long run and prevent more material from making its way into landfills.
BUY OR RENT USED TEXTBOOKS
Buying new textbooks is expensive and enables deforestation. If the option is available, always buy used textbooks, rent new or used, borrow from a friend or purchase the online version. When the semester ends, consider selling or lending textbooks to friends or others to keep the cycle going.
GET A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
College students can easily tear through 24-packs of water bottles. We use them at the gym, in class, before a presentation and after walking across campus. They’re convenient to grab and throw away when they’re empty. Buy a quality, reusable water bottle to save money, keep water cold throughout the day, refill when needed and have a better impact on the environment. A higher quality water bottle will run about $20, but the price is made up for by the time five to six packs of water bottles would have been bought.
USE A LAMP INSTEAD OF OVERHEAD LIGHTING
KU dorms are in the process of being updated and renovated. One major flaw of the renovation is the motion-sensored room lighting. This system is meant to turn the lights off when students are out of their rooms or sleeping. Many people, however, are finding that these lights are turning on when they turn over in their sleep. The constant on and off has proven irritating among many students. There’s a simple way around this issue. Cover the motion sensor with a few layers of washi tape and buy a lamp with LED light bulbs. They are not as bright as the campus ceiling lights and will save energy. Just be mindful of lighting when leaving the room.
EAT SMART AT THE DINING HALL
24/7 dining, while convenient, is wasteful between students throwing out food they don’t like or food they took too much of. To reduce this issue, only take what can be eaten and refrain from taking too much of a new item.
BE AWARE OF YOUR ACTIONS
Educate yourself on environmentally friendly practices, local cleanups, organizations and what more can be done from an individual standpoint.