As we find ourselves living in an era where our daily activities have a considerable impact on the environment, there’s growing enthusiasm among the college crowd to actively participate in sustainable practices. This article outlines key steps towards establishing a ‘green’ college lifestyle, offering practical advice to ensure an eco-friendly existence while hitting your academic stride.
Why adapt to a green lifestyle in college?
Living sustainably isn’t just about leaving a smaller carbon footprint. It can have an amazing cascade of benefits – not least of which is cost savings. A green lifestyle can influence your well-being, enhance your academic experience and bring about a sense of fulfillment. But how does one start? Let’s jump right in.
Top Five Practical Steps to Green Your College Life
- Switch to Reusable Products
- Reducing Food Waste on Campus
- Active Advocacy: Join a Green Club
- Adopt a Plant-Based Diet, If You Can
- Power Down, People
1. Switch to Reusable Products
From water bottles to shopping bags, swapping your single-use items for reusable alternatives is an easy transition to make. Invest in a good quality, BPA-free water bottle and avoid contributing to the 38.5 million plastic bottles that end up in landfills each day. That’s a big number, wouldn’t you agree?
2. Reducing Food Waste on Campus
Implement strategies to reduce food waste such as planning your meals, eating leftovers, and composting. If your campus doesn’t have a composting program, why not spearhead one? Earth will thank you.
3. Active Advocacy: Join a Green Club
Colleges are full of clubs and organizations dedicated to sustainability. Joining one not only allows you to contribute firsthand to your college’s sustainability projects but also provides the opportunity to educate others on their own environmental impact. Plus, it’s a great way to meet like-minded friends.
4. Adopt a Plant-Based Diet, If You Can
Did you know that meat and dairy production generate 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions? Try adding more plant-based meals into your diet to reduce your carbon footprint. Even one meat-free day a week can make a difference.
5. Power Down, People
Sleeping computers, gaming consoles left running, lights left on – these are notorious energy suckers. Try to make a conscious effort to switch off when your tech is not in use. Consider it your personal switch-off challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to live sustainably?
Quite the contrary. Living a sustainable lifestyle often involves reducing consumption, reusing what you have, and only buying what you need. Such habits often lead to cost savings!
What if my friends aren’t into living sustainably?
The first step in changing minds is to lead by example. Show your friends the benefits and joy of living a green lifestyle. With time, they may become more open to making some changes themselves.
Paving the Green Road
Establishing a green lifestyle is not just an individual activity but a collective effort towards the well-being of our planet. Becoming ‘green’ in college can shape your everyday habits, setting up your life for a more positive environmental impact. Are you ready to join the green wave and turn your college experience into an eco-friendly voyage?