• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Life / How to Go Green on Your Campus

How to Go Green on Your Campus

July 20, 2018 //  by Lillian Friedman

Shares19FacebookTweet

As negative news regarding the environment makes headlines, more people want to do something about it. But when you do the dishes, you might forget to turn the lights off before leaving the house or even when you buy your morning coffee, you unintentionally affect the E’arth in small but monumental ways. Every choice you make impacts the environment. Through “going green” and making more environmentally responsible decisions, you can change your lifestyle in ways that not only protect the environment but also the health and safety of future generations to come.

Read on for 10 steps to go green on your campus.

1. SEEK MORE INFORMATION

newspaper
unsplash.com

How do you begin to become more environmentally conscious when you don’t know what to be conscious of? An important foundation for anyone seeking a “greener” lifestyle involves having the proper resources, education and connections. “I would say the most straightforward first step is to seek out the environmental group on campus and go to a meeting or two and try to figure out what they are working on, what they’ve done already,” said Loyola University Chicago Director of Sustainability Aaron Durnbaugh.

Rather than turning to the internet and those inspiring documentaries on Netflix, perhaps you should utilize the resources on your campus. “Take a class in sustainability or the environment to learn about sustainability and the impacts of climate change on our planet and share that knowledge with other students and incorporate it into relevant class discussions. Find out why sustainability is important and how conserving resources now can impact future generations,” said University of Iowa Sustainability Communications Specialist George McCrory. Take advantage of your “green” life at college through sparking discussions with environmental professors, joining eco-friendly clubs or sustainability organizations. I have no doubt these sources will take pleasure in answering all your questions and sharing as much information as possible.

2. FIND SUPPORT

support
unsplash.com

You can go green on your own but it always helps to have some guidance and support from people you trust. Luckily, you have plenty of options. You can find support through environmental Facebook groups, campus faculty and staff, your Office of Sustainability and other ecological organizations and clubs at your school. “There’s student orgs, student clubs, the normal places you would go like student life, student development often times have resources. Don’t forget about the academic side, but don’t just be limited to the environmental science or the biology department. Also consider, theology, ethics, sociology and anthropology are all departments that have real rich connections with the environment,” said Durnbaugh. Regardless of whether or not the club directly relates to going green, attending a meeting or two offers the opportunity to meet people with similar interests that you can share your knowledge with and vice versa.

3. TAKE BABY STEPS

gardening
unsplash.com

You’ll have to take baby steps when changing an entire lifestyle. No one expects you to wake up one morning living zero-waste, eating little to no animal products or get a solar panel installed on your roof. “Everybody is at a different place when it comes to experience, some are conservation minded or active within an environmental club. The steps they can take are different from people that have taken none.

Some things you can think about are the impacts you have or the things you buy. Talk about it with others but ultimately do what is right for you,” said Durnbaugh. Transitions like these involve time, effort and realistic environmental initiatives. Spoon-feed yourself changes in doses. Begin with simple things like recycling and using a canteen rather than purchasing water bottles to save plastic and your money. Even gardening to replenish the earth and pretty up the view is a mindful action. Pick one day a week to eliminate something not sustainable from your life and replace it with a greener solution.

4. PRACTICE THE MANTRA “REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE EVERYTHING”

recycle
unsplash.com

Half the battle begins with remembering and practicing the above mantra. You can start by locating your closest recycling center and purchasing a recycle bin. To reduce and reuse, simple techniques like using washable towels, purchasing a water filter or portable water bottle, going paperless (saying ‘no’ to receipts and bills and ‘yes’ to emailed ones) and investing in reusable bags greens your routine. Pro Tip: leaving your shopping bags by the front door leaves little room to forget bringing them with. Take the campus bus system. “If it’s practical, use public transportation such as a bus, or walk or bike to class instead of having a car. If you don’t have a car, you save money on by not paying parking, fuel, and maintenance,” said McCrory.

Oh, we can’t stop there. Hand wash dishes and use a dish rack for drying. Take shorter showers. Set the washer on cold or warm. Invest in a drying rack. Turn your computer and other electronics off at night (including the TV). Using the stairs instead of the elevator. Live in the dorms. “For college students, it’s a lower carbon impact if they live in a dorm or apartment complex instead of a house. It’s more energy efficient to live in multi-tenant housing than a house that may have poor insulation, high heating costs, or old appliances, etc.,” said McCrory. Going green is all about finding positive alternatives that work best for you while being mindful of your actions, keeping the environment and this mantra in mind.

5. BORROW INSTEAD OF BUY

thrifting
unsplash.com

Borrowing creates the opportunity to make friends with your neighbors and classmates while saving money and the planet one step at a time. You can start by sharing school supplies or borrowing a peer’s textbook instead of buying a new one. Going to the library can save you money by eliminating the purchase of books and movies. “Another way to go green is to monitor your consumption habits. Ask yourself, do I really need to buy 10 T-shirts? Consider buying clothing from a consignment store instead,” said McCrory. Checking out garage sales and thrifts shops also greatly contributes to reducing, reusing and recycling. Remember to stay mindful and think about alternative ways to find products instead of buying them if possible.

6. SHOP LOCALLY

street market
unsplash.com

Many of us don’t stop to think about where our food comes from since we’ve adapted to taking trips to the grocery store whenever necessary. But buying locally-made products has so many benefits over buying from industrial farms, you can’t find a reason not to. For starters, shopping locally eliminates the pollution of toxic chemicals and waste of resources that stem from the global transportation processes. Shopping for locally-made green products such as office supplies or furniture also supports your local businesses and puts money back into the community. Through shopping at local farmers markets, you get organic fruits and vegetables that ensure healthier and more nutritious meals. If concerned about where to find local stores you can utilize Google Maps, green directories or niche websites.

7. USE NATURE-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

earth
unsplash.com

Switching to toxin and chemical-free recyclable products, especially when it comes to cleaning, can make a huge difference. To help, consider making your own cleaning products out of essential oils, vinegar or baking soda instead of purchasing them. Or, as many Twitter activits have called for lately, swap plastic straws for metal reusable ones. When it comes to environmentally-friendly items like clothes for example, it makes sense to invest in a higher-quality product that will last a longer time than something cheap you’ll end up replacing later. Ladies trying to save green and go green, did you know you can eliminate daily waste of pads and tampons during your menstrual cycles through adapting reusable products like the Diva Cup? With a lower long-term cost and the ability to last up to 5 years, sustainable alternatives are always worth looking into.

8. CHANGE YOUR DIET

healthy food
unsplash.com

The most complex and deal-breaking step arises from the idea of giving up a carnivorous diet… and cheese. Eliminating food from the agricultural industry makes one of the greatest impacts due to the pollution and animals lives you can save from it. Because adapting to a meatless diet may not be sustainable for some, this step also demands daily dosages. Before you can walk, you have to crawl, just like before you can go vegan you have to try vegetarianism. Start by cutting your meat and dairy consumption in half and working your way up from there. Diets similar to such also offer great physical health benefits if you balance them properly. While the thought of finding vegetarian options on campus or in your dormitory seem tricky, the options are there as long as you know what to look for. Any small contribution you make can make a huge difference.

9. STAY IN THE LOOP

world in hand
unsplash.com

You have to stay in the loop about what happens on our planet in order to save it. It’s not only important when it comes to sharing the information with others but also very important to know for yourself. Perhaps you’ll find out something you didn’t know before and this will lead to another greener and more positive lifestyle change. Maybe you’ll find a new blog site that can help you reduce even more waste in your life. Finding out new information and staying in the loop shouldn’t be too difficult as long as you actively seek out new knowledge and stay consistent. Watch active YouTubers, search for green recipes to prepare, follow some environmental news sources on Twitter and Facebook. We only have one planet. We should know what happens with and on it.

10. BECOME AN INFLUENCER

protest
unsplash.com

Talk about it. Discuss the information and knowledge you know with others who ask questions or aren’t already aware. Share your experiences going green and encourage others to do the same. If you haven’t already joined a green organization or club on your campus, do so now. Depending on how passionate you are, advocacy groups make for awesome ways unleash your thoughts and feelings on the topic while making a difference in the process. “While it’s good to take individual actions, being part of a group helps you and your friends understand why sustainability is important on a larger scale. Join an environmental club on campus or in the community and invite roommates and friends to come to a meeting. It’s a great way to network with like-minded students who share your interests and an easy way to introduce friends to going green. You can also invite friends to volunteer, attend a sustainability lecture or help with an environmental or social justice project,” said McCrory. Every person plays an extreme role and makes a difference. It starts with you and ends with all of us.

 

Shares19FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Life

About Lillian Friedman

Lily is a junior studying English and creative writing at the University of Iowa. In her spare time you can either find her with a book in hand or watching a documentary on Netflix.

You May Also Like

songs to belt out

21 Songs to Belt Out in the Shower

Top 10 Weird Scholarships You Can’t Miss

cultural identity and language

Language Abilities Don’t Define Your Cultural Identity, Unless?

How I Turned My Personal Journals into a Published Book

15 Alcohol-Free Activities for a Friday Night In

Reflecting on Fall 2020: How to Recover from One of the Hardest Semesters

How to Make Money From Home Without Taking Off Your PJs

15 COVID-19 Safe Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in 2020

Top 10 COVID-19 Safe Activities to Do Near Fresno, California

Breaking the Binary: My Journey into Identifying as Non-Binary

The Döner Project: My Berlin Budget as a College Student

CM’s Guide to the Print and Digital Journalism Major

Away from Home and Feeling Gross: Being Sick My Freshman Year

A Tale of Two Twin Flames

movies to binge over winter break

Battling Boredom: 10 Movies to Binge Over Winter Break

Being an Asian-American: Learning to Accept Both Halves of Myself

How to Become a Published Poet

ADHD or the Enemy? At Least My College Helped Me

berkeley outdoors

10 COVID-19 Friendly Things to Do in Berkeley, California

Top 10 DIY Gifts for Your BFF

Christmas

10 Gifts For Parents That They Want But Haven’t Asked For

friend group dressed up as Big Hero Six characters

Animation Nerds Unite: 10 Gifts for Animation Lovers

gifts for your girl squad

10 Gifts Your Girl Squad Can’t Live Without

10 Virtual Gifts for Your BFF that Will Make Them Love You Forever

Previous Post: «entry level jobs How to Maximize Your Time in Entry Level Jobs to Move Up Quick
Next Post: 7 Summer Albums to Take Your Playlists to the Next Level summer albums from panic at the disco»

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

99

10 St. John’s University Finals Activities to Help You De-Stress

mental health
81

Pandemic and Academic Blues: Being Aware of Your Mental Health

60

24 Ways My 2020 Survival Guide Turned into 2021 Lifestyle Habits

55

The Ultimate Auburn University Bucket List: 21 Things to Do Before Graduating

best classes
25

10 Best Classes You Need to Take at Drake University

Featured Chapter: St. John’s University

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.