In many phases of life, you have either time or money. Young children have the time to do whatever they want, but no way to make money. Older folks have more money along with assets like homes and cars, but less time for recreation and creativity due to their jobs and commitments. College students, however, are a unique group that tends to have neither of the two. Busy class schedules usually limit how much they can work. Between class, homework, and making what little money they can manage, their free time becomes very limited. As a college student myself, I can attest to the fact that many of my peers and I live busy, stressful lifestyles during the school year. It’s a tough grind sometimes, but it’s what we chose. In honor of this lifestyle, I’ve compiled three easy, short-term goals for one to be more environmentally friendly as a college student.

1. Take Advantage of On-Campus Environmental Initiatives

These things can differ from campus to campus. At most colleges, there are multiple clubs and organizations that emphasize sustainability, including environmental awareness and activism programs. You do not have to major in environmental science to be a part of these programs, and you’ll probably make some like-minded friends.

If you’re attending a school that offers environmental sciences, there are most likely electives available that offer moderately easy coursework and hands-on experience. I personally took a class called Geography of Oceans and Coasts at Salisbury University, which included a field trip to Assateague Island to study the structure of the beach, waves, and tide. This class had many lessons that emphasized saving the oceans and marine animals.

This part might be obvious, but your school’s recycling program counts as an environmental initiative. Encourage your friends to throw away their recyclable materials in the correctly marked containers on campus. If everyone does it, it goes a long way.

2. Shop Sustainable at The Grocery Store

In our society, it’s impossible not to create waste. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t make an effort to limit our waste output. Examples of sustainable shopping choices include purchasing organic foods, local produce, and products with recycled packaging. Also, buying seasonal foods is a great way to limit waste, as they’ll only be good for so long. If money makes this difficult, consider splurging on just one or two organic items that you know will be an upgrade from your typical buy.

When attempting to sustainably shop, it is important to remember the prevalence of greenwashing: when companies pretend to be sustainable to make money. To learn the ins and outs of greenwashing, check out our previous post on the subject linked here: Greenwashing vs. Genuine Sustainability: How to Tell the Difference

3. Invest in Reusable and Non-Plastic Goods

College students know the importance of staying hydrated, and a reusable water bottle can help with that. They’re fairly inexpensive depending on the brand and can save you money when compared to the combined price of single-use plastic bottles. They’re a win for both the environment and your wallet. Plus, they can be customized with color options and stickers to become a part of your style.

You can also switch away from plastic by purchasing a bamboo toothbrush. The cost is about the same, and bamboo is much more durable as well. There are plenty of options for the bristles, length, etc. just like there are for your traditional plastic toothbrush.

Reusable shopping bags are also a great option to try. Most of them are much bigger than the plastic bags at the grocery store, so you can carry all of your groceries in just one trip. Also, many grocery stores charge for their bags now, so by bringing your own, you can avoid those fees.

Conclusion and Other Resources

College is a very formative era for the youth, where we transition to self-sufficiency and build habits that will last for life. It’s important to start our adult lives with sustainable choices that work towards a bright future for us and for Earth.

If you enjoyed this reading and want more ways to be environmentally conscious at home, check out some of our similar articles linked below.

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How to Use Tumbling Composters: A Comprehensive Guide

Sustainable Banking and Investing is the Ultimate Voice of the People – Green Villager