Lately I have been increasingly noticing some bad behaviors from my peers related to environmental practices. If you know my background, then you will know that I love the Earth and I love protecting the Earth, so bad habits kind of grind my gears. I’ve gathered a small list of really easy, really basic ways you can be eco-friendly (and maybe you can tell a friend too?).
Step 1: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
The phrase that we’ve heard our whole lives. Over the last few years however, I’ve learned that the most important one of the three is actually the first R, while the most practiced is the last! Put simply, buying things with less packaging (well, buying less stuff in general) is the best way to go about producing the least amount of waste! And reusing things is just plain fun (I will refrain from talking about all the ideas Pinterest has to offer). The internet is home to a TON of blogs and websites devoted to reusing and recycling, and I suggest checking them out! Recycling is super fun too. I like to see if I can produce more recycling than garbage. Set up a recycling “station” in your apartment/res hall to give it a try!
This also goes for water bottles! Don’t buy that 24 pack of water when you could buy a nice Brita to filter that water and a nice reusable bottle to carry it in! Reduce!
Step 2: Electronics
Have you ever heard of vampire power? It’s the power your electronic device charger uses when it’s plugged in, even if your device isn’t connected to it. Eek. Do you leave your charger still plugged in allllllll day long after a night of charging? Try to make unplugging it part of your daily habit! Not only will you be a planeteer, but you’ll be saving money on your bills! I also know that we aren’t really at a stage in our lives where we are buying things like washing machines, but keep in mind that electronics with Energy Star certifications are awesome (laptops!) and usually aren’t any more expensive than non-certified electronics.
Step 3: Food
I know that you probably think I’m going to tell you to buy organics. Well, I’m not because I think everyone already understands the benefits of organic… (right?) The most important thing you can do is buy LOCAL. Why? The local economy is more sustainable because of a few good reasons. Here in Kalamazoo we have a lot of local farmers (even more in a 100 mile radius) and the less the product has to travel to get to you, the better! There are also a few local AND organic farms, double good!
I also want to warn you that there are some foods that you should definitely buy organic, for your own health (apples) and things that are not as important (bananas). Don’t spend your precious money on organic items that are unnecessary (and may not actually be organic…) Take a trip to the People’s Food Co-Op and try out some locally grown chicken! You will taste a difference!
Good luck out there! Get Green!
Until next time,
-Alyssa
Editor: Katelyn Kivel