Going green and living an eco-friendly lifestyle is becoming increasingly important, especially for students who are the future stewards of the planet.

Living sustainably as a student involves making thoughtful choices in all aspects of life, from reducing waste to supporting eco-friendly initiatives.

Concerning academic tasks like doing my paper, choosing recycled paper, minimizing printing, and opting for digital submissions aligning with environmentally conscious practices, fostering a green mindset both on and off campus.

Adopting sustainable habits not only benefits the environment but can also save money and improve health. Here are some tips for students looking to reduce their environmental impact:

Reduce Energy Use

One of the easiest ways for learners to go green is to reduce energy use in their dorms or apartments. Some simple ways to cut electricity usage include:

Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Phantom energy wasted from idle gadgets can add up!

Turn off lights when leaving a room. Stick reminders near light switches to train yourself.

Open blinds during the day to maximize natural sunlight.

Use power strips for electronics and switch them off at night or when away.

Set computers, monitors, and TVs to enter sleep mode when inactive.

Dry laundry on a rack instead of running the dryer.

Lowering the thermostat by just 2 degrees in winter and raising it by 2 degrees in summer can conserve a significant amount of energy. Wearing warmer clothes indoors allows you to keep the temperature low.

Conserve Water

Showers, laundry, and dishes – water use adds up in student housing. To slash water waste:

Take 5-minute showers instead of long, leisurely ones. Install a shower timer if needed.

Turn off water when brushing teeth, washing hands, shaving, etc.

Interesting Fact:
As per the latest survey, Americans use 82 gallons of water each day at home. What about the whole US? The US in total consumes 322 billion gallons of water per day.

Do full loads of laundry to maximize each wash cycle.

Scrape dishes rather than rinse them before loading them into the dishwasher.

Report any leaky faucets or shower heads to maintenance. A small drip can waste hundreds of gallons per year.

Reduce outdoor watering in drought-prone areas.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The three R’s are fundamental to an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Children produce a lot of waste from school supplies, food packaging, and other items. To minimize the amount sent to landfills:

Use reusable bottles, mugs, bags, and food containers. Carry a reusable water bottle, travel mug, utensils, and bags for groceries, produce, takeout, etc.

Choose products with minimal, recyclable, or compostable packaging.

Recycle all accepted items – paper, plastic, glass, metals, etc. Check if any nearby public spaces have recycling bins.

Print only when necessary. Set printers to double-sided default. Print on scrap paper for drafts.

Donate or sell any unwanted items that are still usable. Books, clothes, appliances, furniture, etc. can be given a second life by another owner.

Compost food scraps if possible. Some campuses have composting programs in their dining halls or apartments. Otherwise, see if any nearby gardens, farms, or neighbors compost.

Striving to live sustainably as a student involves embracing eco-friendly practices in every aspect of life, including academics.

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Thrift stores are great places to find affordable products and reduce demand for new goods. Donating and shopping at thrift shops cuts waste when supporting local communities.

Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation

Transportation is a major source of carbon emissions for college students. Prioritize green commute options by:

Walking and biking as much as possible on and around campus. It’s healthy, free, and emissions-free!

Taking public transportation like buses, subways, and trains for trips farther from campus. Many schools offer discounted student passes.

Sustainable Cities Mobility Index from Arcadis

Statistics:
In the 2017 Sustainable Cities Mobility Index from Arcadis, among the world’s top cities for sustainable public transport, Hong Kong has been ranked the top city worldwide.

Using a shared ride service instead of driving alone. Set up carpools with classmates for common routes.

Refraining from idling if driving. Turn off the engine if stopped for more than 30 seconds.

Maintaining vehicles properly with tune-ups, tire inflation, etc. to maximize fuel efficiency.

Flying less when possible. Consider lower carbon options like buses or trains for closer trips.

Offsetting air travel emissions by purchasing carbon credits.

Living on or near campus eliminates many transportation emissions for students. Try to minimize daily travel distances whenever possible.

Eat Sustainably

Sustainable diets reduce the environmental impact of food production when supporting fair labor practices. Learners can adopt greener eating habits by:

Choosing plant-based foods over meat and dairy. Raising livestock contributes significantly more greenhouse gasses than producing fruits, vegetables, and grains. Try participating in Meatless Mondays.

Shopping at farmers’ markets for local, in-season produce. This supports small farms in the community and eliminates transportation emissions.

Reducing food trash. Only purchase what you’re sure to eat. Eat leftovers, repurpose scraps into soups/sauces, and compost the rest.

Bringing reusable containers and bags when shopping to minimize packaging trash.

Avoiding overly processed foods and drinks. They require more resources to produce and often use plastics in packaging.

Choosing organic and fair trade items when possible. This promotes sustainable agriculture methods.

Growing some of your food. Plant herbs on a windowsill or start a balcony vegetable garden.

Eating lower on the food chain reduces your carbon footprint and saves precious resources like water and land.

Be Mindful of Waste Disposal

Waste doesn’t just disappear once tossed out. Learners should be mindful of proper disposal methods:

Research local recycling and composting programs to sort everything correctly. Don’t contaminate recycling streams.

Take hazardous trash like batteries, CFL bulbs, paint cans, or chemicals to a designated collection site. Don’t risk contaminating waste facilities.

Do You Know?:
In 2017, according to an EPA study conducted on waste disposal, it was found that each person in the U.S. throws 4.51 pounds of garbage per day.
However, it ends up being 267.8 million tonnes of waste each year.

Bring e-waste like computers, tablets, printers, and cell phones to a collection event. They contain toxic materials not meant for landfills.

Avoid flushing anything down toilets except toilet paper. Other items can damage sewer systems.

Pick up litter. Make it a habit when walking around neighborhoods or when hiking and camping.

Use reusable cloth pads/menstrual cups instead of disposable feminine hygiene products. Billions of pads and tampons clog landfills annually.

Purchase recycled-content notebooks, paper, and other school supplies to complete the recycling loop.

Proper garbage disposal keeps hazardous and recyclable materials out of ecosystems and landfills. Being thoughtful about what we use, consume, and toss makes a huge difference.

Make Sustainable Purchasing Choices

Children may have limited budgets, but should still apply principles of sustainability when possible:

Choose products with minimal, recycled, reusable, or compostable packaging. Avoid plastic packaging when alternatives exist.

Opt for used or rental books and music/video content when available. Digital books eliminate paper scrap.

Seek out sustainable brands for clothes, shoes, accessories, dorm supplies, etc. Support companies committed to environmental and social responsibility.

Buy high-quality items built to last. Avoid “fast fashion” and cheaply made disposable goods. Spend more upfront for durability.

Research brands’ labor practices before purchasing electronics, clothing, food, and other products. Ensure fair wages and conditions.

Shop at thrift and secondhand stores first before purchasing new items. Extend life cycles of already manufactured goods.

Conscientious purchasing allows learners to use their dollars to drive change.

Get Outdoors

Spending time outdoors enhances appreciation for nature and its wonders. Students should seek out opportunities to explore green spaces by:

Visiting parks, nature preserves, forests, lakes, rivers, and beaches near campus. Immerse in wild areas and fresh air.

Trying outdoor activities like hiking, camping, skiing, cycling, wildlife viewing, etc. Many schools have outdoor programs with gear rentals.

Volunteering to maintain nature trails, restore habitats, or clean up parks and beaches. Give back to recreational spaces.

Growing a garden with native flowers, shrubs, or trees. Help sustain biodiversity.

Joining environmental clubs. Organize outings, talks, cleanups, and other eco-activities.

Experiencing and bonding with nature inspires students to protect the planet. These habits begun in college can shape life-long earth stewardship.

Conclusion

College is the perfect time for learners to align lifestyle choices with environmental values.

Little changes in energy use, diet, transportation, spending, and waste habits do add up, collectively creating a significant positive impact.

Eco-friendly learners help steward precious resources, so future generations can thrive on a healthy, sustainable planet.

Tips for Environmentally Conscious Students