It can be hard to think about how you might be harming the environment as a student. Many of your peers are probably doing the same thing, and it might not seem like there’s much you can do.
Thank goodness there are a lot of easy changes you can make in your day-to-day life that will have a significant impact on the world around you. This article will explore many ways to begin living an eco-friendly life as a school-college goer.
Table of Contents
Use E-Notes Instead of Paper Notes
Use an online notepad or planner to keep track of your schedule, due dates, and coursework. Most software programs like Microsoft Word and Google Keep also have a feature that allows you to create a page for every week, month, or semester to see all of your assignments in one place. Students of literature can use these tools to prevent editing their work on paper. MS Words, for instance, allows students to re-type their work end-number of times without creating paper waste.
Many other programs allow you to take digital notes from websites and convert them into .pdf files for later viewing on a tablet or computer screen at home. Programs such as Evernote can sync across multiple devices, so there is no need for students who like this method to carry around stacks upon stacks of printouts anymore!
Use Audiobooks and E-Books to Save Paper
There are many ways to save paper, but one of my favorite methods is using audiobooks or e-books. The average person reads about 528 pages per year, so if you’re reading a hard copy book, you’ll have a lot of wasted trees. By switching over to listening to audiobooks or buying e-books instead, you can keep the number down while still getting all the benefits of what makes reading so great!
Establish a Zero-Waste Lifestyle
The average American produces 4 pounds of garbage per day, so it’s essential to learn how to reduce this number as much as possible. You can start by finding ways to reduce the amount of waste that your household creates daily. For example: buying bulk items instead of individually wrapped snacks or condiments; choosing products with less packaging (such as cardboard boxes instead of plastic containers); bringing reusable grocery bags with you when going shopping; making fewer trips back and forth from home with empty bottles or containers if possible; etc.
Conserve the Tap Water
We all know how easy it is to forget about turning off our taps after taking a shower or washing dishes—don’t do this! There are many ways to do this—you could set up an alarm on your phone if necessary!
If possible, plan out your morning routine so that these tasks are done before leaving home to conserve water as much as possible during regular activities like cooking dinner and brushing teeth/washing hands.
Look For Sustainable Transportation Options
You can also make a difference by finding sustainable transportation options.
Use Public transit
Many cities and towns offer bus, train, or ferry services to get you where you need to go without using your car.
Walk or Cycle
Walking and cycling are great ways to keep fit while reducing carbon emissions associated with driving a car!
Use carpools
Carpooling reduces traffic congestion and pollution and helps us save money on gas costs!
Pack a Lunch Box Instead of Buying Food Outside
Pack a lunch box instead of buying food outside. This way, you are saving time, money, and the environment. It’s also a great way to ensure that you’re eating healthy food throughout the day!
Buy Only What You Need
As you’re shopping for groceries, only buy what you need. Do you use mustard every day? Or can you make it a few times a week instead of every day? By being more mindful about how much food we consume, we cut down on waste and unnecessary spending.
The same is true for clothing; don’t buy things just because they’re on sale or fit well. Instead, try to purchase stylish and functional items for your lifestyle. The less money we spend on “fashion” items, the better!
Ditch Plastic Utensils and Straws for Metal Ones
Another easy change to make is to ditch plastic utensils and straws for metal ones. Plastic utensils and straws are a significant source of plastic pollution in our oceans. They’re used once and thrown away because they take centuries to decompose once dumped into landfills or oceans.
Metal utensils and straws will eventually biodegrade when exposed to heat from the sun or bacteria in the soil. They won’t end up polluting our waterways forever as their plastic counterparts do! You might be surprised at the amount of plastic you use, but it’s essential to do something about it.
Carry a Reusable Metal or Bamboo Coffee Cup:
Bamboo coffee cups are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. They are biodegradable, but they’re also made of renewable resources. Plus, they have the bonus of being excellent insulation so that your hot drink stays hot longer! The next time you’re at the coffee shop, ask for reusable metal or bamboo coffee cups instead of getting a plastic cup.
Buy Products Made of Recycled Materials
When shopping for products, look for ones made of recycled materials. You can find recycled paper in magazines and newspapers or buy paper products made from 100% recycled materials. Recycled plastic is also widely available as a substitute for regular plastic bottles and containers.
When it’s time to replace items like batteries or light bulbs, choose those made with recycled materials instead of new ones—you’ll save money by not having to repurchase them!
Study in Sunlight to Save Electricity
When you study in the sun, you are saving a lot of money and helping the environment at the same time. It is free, so why not? The sun can be used for many tasks such as heating water and food, air-conditioning homes, making plastics, etc., but it’s also a great light source for reading during daytime hours.
Living an eco-friendly life is more important than ever! You can make a difference. You can save money and have a positive impact on the environment at the same time. You can contribute to environmental conservation by turning off lights when leaving a room, using both sides of the paper or no paper, washing clothes with cold water, and drying them under the sun.
