You can make small, daily changes that prioritize the environment.
Check out life hacks that can help the planet below!
Thrift or Buy Used
Thrifting or buying used products prevents them from ending up in the landfill, stops emissions from new products being produced, reduces transport emissions since the products generally stay local, and saves you money. Plus, you can find cool stuff that is more durable than cheap products and fast fashion.
Recycle and Compost
This one is talked about a lot, but when landfills contain hundreds of millions of tons of materials, most of it organic or recyclable, recycling and composting becomes a key tool to reducing waste. Landfills also produce toxic gasses and greenhouse gasses, so doing everything we can to keep materials that don’t have to be in landfills out of the landfills is essential to protecting the planet.
Mend Before You Buy
Repairing items you already own instead of buying new ones keeps those items out of landfills and prevents emissions from the production of new items. Additionally, mending fosters a culture of “repair before you replace.” It can also be a fun craft and teach you new skills, like sewing!
Choose to Reuse
Avoid single use items by using reusable containers and products. From Tupperware to water bottles, keep waste out of landfills by reusing as much as you can!
Be Mindful about Water
Little things can add up quickly, and that includes water. By turning water off while you wash dishes, brush your teeth, or are scrubbing your hands, you can save large amounts of water over time. Additionally, when showering, you can use water just to rinse and turn it off while soaping up. Finally, make sure faucets aren’t dripping; if you see one leaking, report it to facilities on campus.
Choose Eco-Friendly products
When doing laundry, washing dishes, and cleaning, focus on using products and practices that minimize harm to the environment. Additionally, when choosing products to purchase, always see if a plastic-free version is available. Of course, you have to take into account your budget and what the product is used for (might not want to have a biodegradable garden hose, for example), but just be mindful of where you can reduce plastic consumption.
Extra tip! See if you can make the product at home instead of buying it. For example, baking soda and vinegar can be a useful cleaner.