How to Live Sustainably on a College Campus
If you have lived in an apartment shared with roommates or in a dorm, you know that it is not easy to balance a healthy, sustainable lifestyle while maintaining an efficient academic life at the same time. Don’t worry, there are many things you can do in all aspects of your college life to reduce your impact on the environment, from from transportation, dining hall, to residence hall. Take these small steps in save our planet:
Sustainability in campus transportation:
Bicycling uses no fuel, which is a good choice to save the environment. Take advantage of your college’s bike program. Different college may have different programs that encourage its students to bike to and from campus, especially those who cannot afford a bike or are not able to bring their bike from home. Not only does biking saves you a lot of money, it is also very good for your joints and keep your body active and in shape.
Sustainability in residence hall:
Participate in the resale and reuse events/programs. For example, sell your used housewares and clothes that you don’t use anymore to other students, or donate to local organizations. College campus is a great place to hold resale programs because every year, there are new incoming students and students moving off campus, they tend to leave behind housewares, clothes, furniture, books that others might be interested in. These programs give students the opportunity to sell things that they no longer need and also they don’t have to go look in stores for items that are much more expensive.
When you’re in the dorm, turn off electrical devices when they are not in use such as light bulbs, computers, and refrigerators over long breaks. Place your desk by the window so you can use natural light instead of electrical light whenever possible.
When you notice your hall’s kitchen or bathroom has leaky faucet or showerhead, report to an administrator right away.
Sustainability in dining hall:
Choose locally grown, farm raised food whenever possible. On some college campuses, there are farm markets that sell organic, locally grown vegetables on the weekends that is affordable and convenient for college students. If students consume local produce, the fossil fuels and the use of artificial fertilizers will be reduced. Not only does eating locally grown food good for you because it is fresh and cheap, but it is also sustainable and beneficial to the farmers and producers.
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