A lot of people believe that, with the current climate of the environment, there is no helping the world we inhabit. I’m here to say that it is not too late to make a change for our Earth. With Earth Day being early this week, I have made a goal for myself to live with a lower carbon footprint. Living zero trash in a dorm room is, basically, impossible. That doesn’t mean you can’t cut down the amount of waste you use daily. Here are the steps that I’ve already been taking to improve the environment we live in.
1. Reusable Water Bottles.
I know everyone is sick of hearing about water bottles and the damage they have done to the world, but it’s just the truth. So many water bottles are wasted daily. Buying an aluminum water bottle or a nalgene reusable bottle saves, not only plastic from being thrown in the ocean but money as well. Not to mention most water bottles are just full of tap water with a label pasted onto them. Save yourself time and just get a reusable water bottle, please.
2. Reusable Straws.
Here’s another plead that people are just sick of hearing. Here’s the truth: around 500 million straws are used daily. That means 500 million straws are being thrown into the landfills every single day. This can be so easily avoided by buying a reusable straw. I bought a pack of 6 straws, which came with a cleaning pipe, for $6 at TJ Maxx. I keep a straw in my backpack, one in my purse, one in my dorm room and one in my car. When I go to Dunkin on my drive to work, I just simply say, “No straw, please.” It’s really that easy. This is a big first step that everyone should be able to take. Even just deciding to not use a straw at restaurants is one small, but important step.
3. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products.
Instead of reaching for that Clorox in the store that’s packed with harmful chemicals, try going for an eco-friendly alternative. This is true for all cleaning products, from window cleaner to laundry detergent. A lot of times the eco-friendly versions are less expensive, and they do just as well with cleaning your home. Green Works is an eco-friendly window cleaner that can be used as a replacement for the smelly toxic Clorox in your cabinet. It’s also half the price of Clorox! Save some money, while also saving the environment.
These are just three simple steps that anyone can accomplish. In the long run, it saves you money, while also helping improve the environment. We only have one Earth. It’s not too late to change the way we treat it. Even these small steps can make a huge impact on the outcome of our Earth. Even a small ripple can create a wave. Encourage your friends to join you on your environmentally-friendly journey.