College is a great time to start developing eco-friendly habits that will last a lifetime. From the dorm room to the classroom and beyond, there are many simple ways students can reduce their environmental footprint. Here are some tips for channeling your inner activist and going green:
- Ditch Single-Use Plastics
Carry a reusable water bottle and ditch the disposable ones. Invest in a set of washable utensils, plates, and cups instead of using plastic throwaways. Say no to plastic bags by bringing reusable totes for groceries and shopping. Making this simple switch prevents plastic waste from piling up in landfills and oceans.
- Buy Second-Hand Clothes and Furniture
You can update your wardrobe and furnish your dorm sustainably by shopping at thrift stores, yard sales, and sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. This reuses items instead of buying new resource-intensive products. Check for campus “ReDo Sales” where students can score great deals on used dorm essentials.
- Print Smarter
Activate double-sided printing and use both sides of paper to reduce your paper consumption. Or go paperless by sharing documents digitally and utilizing e-books instead of hard copies when possible. Just making this simple change can save tons of paper waste.
- Take Public Transportation
Instead of having a car on campus, utilize public buses, trains, or shuttles for getting around or running errands off-campus. You’ll save money while also reducing carbon emissions from driving. Better yet, walk or ride your bike whenever practical for zero emissions local travel.
- Conserve Energy and Water
Turn off lights when leaving a room, take shorter showers, and power down computers and electronics when not in use to conserve resources. You can also join student campaigns to lobby for more efficient fixtures and appliances in dorms and campus facilities.
- Recycle and Compost
Know what materials can be recycled locally and use proper recycling bins. Start a compost bin in your room or apartment for food scraps to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants.
Even one student adopting sustainable behaviors creates positive impacts. But by collaborating with others, you can inspire community-level change. Small lifestyle changes add up to a big difference for the planet.
Sources
Green Living Tips for Students by HBCU Green Fund: https://www.hbcugreenfund.org
Sustainable Living Guide by UC Santa Barbara: https://sustainability.ucsb.edu/
Sustainability Student Resources by the University of Texas: https://sustainability.utexas.edu
Author: Conner Coursey
Georgia College Green Initiative 