Go Green or Go Home

How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint as a College Student

BY ANTHONY CAGE GRUBB Staff Writer

WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALYSSA KING Staff Writer

The global initiative to create an environmentally sustainable society has left many wondering what they can do to conserve energy, reduce their carbon footprint, and take care of their local ecosystems. This task seems daunting, especially to college students, as coursework, jobs, sports, and countless other obligations keep them busy. The idea of becoming environmentally sustainable seems nearly impossible. However, there are several ways that students can do their part in protecting their local environment.

One of the best ways to become more sustainable is to reduce plastic use. Plastic remains one of the most dangerous materials to our planet. The material, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (ESA), “does not fully biodegrade in the environment” and contributes “over 36 million tons” of waste every year in the United States. Avoid buying plastic bottles of water at the grocery store. Instead, consider investing in a stainless steel, refillable bottle. Students can refill these bottles continuously at any of the several filling stations found across campus. The stations are in most men’s and women’s dorms, in the Boswell Campus Center, and many of the university’s academic buildings.

Reducing the use of plastic bags is another way to have a more sustainable lifestyle. Consider bringing reusable tote bags instead of using the store’s plastic bags when shopping. These tote bags are cheap and sturdy and replace the need for plastic bags found in most stores. After only one use, many typically discard plastic bags. However, tote bags can be used several times over many years, meaning that one reusable one will keep thousands of plastic bags out of landfills and away from the local environment.

Studying is a big part of a student’s life, so an efficient desk lamp is essential. The lamp students choose, however, plays a large role in the local ecosystem’s health. Many lamps use halogen lightbulbs, which have short lifespans, need a lot of maintenance, and have a higher cost. These lightbulbs only last a few months before needing to be discarded and replaced. LED lamps, however, are far more cost-effective and have a lifespan of several years. These lights do not have a high wattage like halogen lamps, which allows LED lights to conserve energy rather than waste it. So, before students start studying, they should change their halogen lightbulbs to LED ones.

As spring approaches, many students may switch their heat off and turn on their air conditioning units. The constant use of the air conditioning or heating unit is one of the most significant ways students waste energy. While students are in class, it is crucial to turn off the unit to save energy. Students can also open their curtains and windows to help cool off or heat their rooms. Allowing the natural temperature to aid in cooling down or heating a dorm room will reduce the overuse of air conditioning and heating units and conserve energy. Turning lights off when students are not in the dorm will also help save energy.

A fun way to help keep the local environment clean is to shop at Goodwill and other thrift stores. Buying clothes from these stores reduces the amount of clothing sent to landfills and allows articles of clothing to have a longer lifespan. Instead of spending money at larger corporations, thrift shopping is a great way to find clothes for low prices. Thrift shopping will save students money and provide new homes for clothes that otherwise would have ended up in the trash. Everyone can play a part in the push to reduce humanity’s carbon footprint. College students are in a unique position, however, as they can both actively participate in sustainability efforts and take on the role of innovators of the future. These individuals can transform the world into an environmentally sustainable society by taking a few simple steps to save energy and reduce the amount of waste they produce. All they have to remember is to reduce, reuse, and recycle!