Congrats! You have taken a step, maybe the first step and now, you want to do more for the world. That’s great.
With all the awful things we hear going on in the world – the amazon burning down, animals dying by the masses, climate change, plastic in our oceans, the list goes on and on – it can be overwhelming to learn. I’ve discovered that acknowledging these problems isn’t enough. I need action. So do you or else you wouldn’t have given up the oh so beloved plastic straw. Maybe you bought a metal straw. Maybe you go sans straw and lid. Maybe you’ve ditched the cup altogether and just bring your reusable bottle everywhere! Whatever it is, it helps. Don’t let anyone tell you that one person and one action can’t help. Because it can.
Here are five more easy ways to live more sustainably as a UNCW student!
- Ditch the Cup altogether!
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It was briefly mentioned above, but if you ditch the plastic or Styrofoam cup altogether for a reusable cup, you create less waste. Places like Starbucks and the library’s Port City Java give you a discount when you come in with your own cup.
- Eat less meat or Go vegan!
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Take advantage of all the plant based and vegan options around campus! Everywhere you go whether it be Dub’s, Hawk’s Nest, or Wag, you will find vegan cheese and mock meats that taste better than the real thing.
- Unplug!
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Unplug your stuff when you aren’t using it. This one is so simple, but it often overlooked. Unless you are charging your phone or computer, unplug it! This can go for household appliance too such as toasters, coffee makers, and electric kettles. This is a huge energy saver and for my off-campus peers, helps out with the utilities bill.
- Tackle the plastic bags!
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Say goodbye to plastic (and even paper) bags. For any late night runs to target or a trip to one of the many grocery stores around the campus, bring a cute tote or even a cardboard box you found lying around from back when you moved in a month ago to stock up on food, snacks, school supplies and whatever else you need.
- Get active on campus and in your community!
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Join an eco-conscious club! There are so many great ones on campus. UNCW’s vegan club brings together like-minded individuals who try to live a conscious life style. 350 UNCW is an activism club dedicating to divesting UNCW from investing in fossil fuels. There are many people out there who are trying to protect our precious planet.
There are hundreds and thousands of more ways to make more sustainable and eco-conscious choices. Pick a few and slowly build them up more and more! Don’t forget to get talking about how we all can play a part in taking care of the place we all get to call home. You got this!