Top 10 Ways Your Student Can Save the World
By: Courtney Mueller
Earth Day is on April 22nd this year, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be mindful of it every other day! Below are ten tips that can easily be made into habits, and will ultimately benefit the environment. What could be better?!
1. Use a recyclable mug and/or water bottle.
Americans drink 400 million cups of coffee a day. The types of cups often used to serve it are not very eco-friendly. You can imagine how many coffee cups alone are flooding landfills. It’s easy to toss a cup in the trash and not think about the repercussions, especially if you’re in a bit of a morning funk. Get a reusable mug! On-campus coffee spots will give a 35 cent discount to anyone purchasing coffee with a reusable mug. Zag Dining staff are also handing out “You’ve Been Spotted” vouchers for individuals they find carrying eco-friendly mugs or bottles.
2. Take shorter showers.
Does your student really need to take a 30 minute shower? Probably not. Although calming and rejuvenating, there is most likely someone else waiting to hop in. Save some water, and keep those friendships afloat by making shower time a bit quicker. It’ll allow time for other activities!
3. Turn off the light when you don’t need it or aren’t using it.
Pull back those curtains and let the natural light in, now that it is making its springtime appearance!
4. Try going meatless once a week.
Zag Dining offers Meatless Mondays every week. Grilled cheese and tomato soup are a crowd favorite. This is also easy if you don’t eat meat, or are a practicing Catholic, as the Lenten rule is no meat on Fridays. It’s just one day a week, saves water and energy, and will provide a break from the norm.
5. Bring a reusable tote when you go grocery shopping.
This will prevent the buildup of plastic bags in your student’s room, and ultimately, landfills. They are more durable than plastic or paper, and there are lots of styles from which to choose!
6. Turn off electronics when you are going to sleep.
This simple task is an energy saver all around! As difficult as it can be to shut off personal devices, especially for the college demographic, doing this before bed will benefit both them and the environment. Your student has an uninterrupted rest, and energy is not being wasted.
7. Carpool or walk!
Everyone likes to get off campus, especially on weekends, and if your student is an underclassman, it’s likely they only have a select few friends with access to a car. That makes it easy, and almost necessary, to carpool when they want to go out and do something. Now that the weather is nicer, they might also consider taking a stroll to their destination – if it’s within reasonable distance. The Centennial Path is an easy jaunt to downtown where they can find all sorts of entertainment. By carpooling or walking, they are saving gas and money, and making the air that much cleaner.
8. Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth.
In just about any college setup, bathrooms are going to be shared, unless your student lives alone. It is easy to get into a chat session while brushing your teeth, as it is something everyone has to (or should, anyway) do. Make sure your student is mindful of shutting off the faucet when they’re not using it – it is easy to forget that it’s running. Lots of water is wasted by forgetting this simple step.
9. Buy local!
Supporting local farmers will not only benefit the community, but the environment as well. It diminishes the use of gas, energy, water, and packaging products. The food will be cheaper, fresher, and tastier. Zag Dining does all they can to purchase food from local, sustainable vendors like Shepherd’s Grain, a no-till farm.
10. Save heat!
The winters can be cruel, and heating your home is fine, but there is a point where it becomes excessive. Turn down the heat if you are not home. Dress in layers while you are puttering around. You can always stop by the Zag Shop and purchase a blanket or sweatshirt to snuggle up in to avoid cranking up the heat and, ultimately, your bill. You can find a shop nestled right next to the BARC, or at the Kennedy Apartments.