Easy Ways to Live Sustainably In College

As a college student who’s constantly on the move, it’s hard to be proactive where ecological awareness is concerned. However, there are things you can do throughout the day to reduce your carbon footprint. In celebration of Earth Day, here are some simple ways to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle:

Walk to class.

This is a no brainer, but even with Elon’s small campus, I’m guilty of driving to a majority of my classes out of pure laziness, and I know I’m not the only one. So unless it’s monsooning outside, go ahead and get those steps in. Mother Earth will thank you later.

Pay attention to Elon’s bin stations.

I’ll be honest--until recently, I never knew what should be recycled and what should be thrown away, so I put everything in the compost bin. The good thing about Elon’s new bins is that they have a chart above them that tells you where to dispose of each item of your trash, from plastic lids to utensils and containers. The next time you go to Qdoba or Acorn and aren’t sure what trash goes where, just look up. The answer is literally right in front of you.

Ditch the plastic bags.

Firstly have you ever seen a video of a sea turtle choking on a plastic bag? It’s enough to make you swear off using them forever. Not only are plastic bags extremely dangerous to aquatic life, they’re also not biodegradable. If you’re grocery shopping or even grabbing a few items from D-Nades, opt out of using a plastic bag. Instead try to bring your own bag or buy a cute reusable tote.

Invest in a water bottle.

In the same vein as plastic bags, plastic water bottles are detrimental to the environment and even worse, your health. The chemicals that are used to make plastic bottles can seep into and contaminate the water. Recent studies have shown that continuous exposure to those chemicals, such as BPA and PET, can have harmful effects on the hormonal system; not to mention how overpriced they can be. Do yourself, your wallet and the Earth a favor by switching out those pesky plastic bottles for a quality and reusable water bottle.

Eat Local Produce.

One of the best things about Elon is that we’re surrounded by farms. Fresh produce is abundant, especially with Loy Farm being so well-tended to by the community. The benefits of fresh food are endless, with the most important being that the food  tastes better, is safe to consume, and is grown and cultivated in a way that is sustainable for the environment. The dining halls are regular users of the local produce and the Burlington Co-Op is a prime example of a store that sells and prepares fresh produce for reasonable prices. I highly recommend going to check it out, and grab one of their delectable sandwiches while you’re at it.

Participate in Elon’s Don’t Trash It.

Throughout the the dates of May 10-24, Elon will be hosting a campus-wide event where you can donate anything from furniture to non-perishables. These items will then be donated to local nonprofits.

Become an Elon Eco-Rep.

If you’re looking to take initiative in the ecological fight, think about being one of Elon’s Eco-Reps. The position entails planning events, giving talks to Elon 101 classes, and helping with other fun events that will promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle across campus. Applications for these positions are open until March 31.

 

These simple changes are effective and easy to do. These efforts may not seem like much now, but if we are all able to gradually start living in a more sustainable way, those small changes will have a greater impact in the future.

If helping the environment is something you’re passionate about or you’re just feeling extra eco-friendly, you don’t need to look too far to get involved. Elon has a plethora of opportunities that encourage environmental awareness, and even better, the Office of Sustainability has a website with all the information needed to be active in the worthwhile fight to save our Earth.