Guest post: Jakob Barry
The environment may not be the number one thing most students spend time thinking about. But the truth is that wherever there are people, local ecosystems are affected. And this is no less the case at college and university campuses.
In fact, the likelihood is high that university campuses end up producing far more waste than other types of residence, simply because of the high population they are catering to. After all, in some areas the population can jump tens of thousands when university term begins!
So, how can you incorporate a little green-mindedness into your daily student life, and help to create a more sustainable campus ? Here are 8 ways to get started:
1. Stop using disposable items
One of the biggest sources of waste are disposable items such as plastic forks, knives, spoons, cups, water bottles, and everything else which gets used once and then tossed in the trash. Usually things made of paper are biodegradable, but most disposables composed of plastic aren’t. That means they can sit in landfills for hundreds of years before breaking down.
It can be tempting to save yourself the chore of having to wash dishes. But by sticking to permanent reusable plates, cutlery and cups, you’ll be living much more sustainably – and also save money in the long term.
You can also buy yourself a nice reusable water bottle, instead of buying water every time you go out. Some universities have even banned the sale of bottled water on campus, to encourage everyone to contribute to a more sustainable campus.
2. Buy second-hand, buy local, and re-sell
Although most student dorms come semi-furnished, you may want to add a few extra items like a rug, pictures or even a couch to make the room feel more like home. There are three main points to remember to do this in a sustainable way.
First, buy second-hand items. This means giving new life to something that still has a lot of years left in it. Second, buy locally if possible, instead of ordering from further away. This helps support the regional economy and creates less of a carbon footprint than shipping from out of town. Third, when you move out, resell what you don’t need, or donate it to charity. Some universities actually organize collections of unneeded items at the end of each year, which can then be passed on to new students.
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