Tip 1
So that I did not have to purchase a coffee mug and a bowl, I found a coffee cup that is big enough to function as a bowl. Not only am I not making two purchases, but I am also practicing a minimalism by using this one product for two purposes. The first mug is similar to the one I purchased. Before going out to purchase a new mug try scouting out thrift stores. Purchasing from a thrift store is a method of shopping helps you to reduce your ecological footprint.
Tip 2
Instead of using paper plates and plastic silverware, purchasing plates and silverware is another tip to living sustainable while in college dormitories. I found this awesome product on Amazon that I just had to share. These plates are made from the vegetable waste matter of corn, starch, bamboo and rice husks. It is a product that can withstand everyday use and will naturally biodegrade within 2-3 years once buried in the ground. The plate is also dishwasher safe. Like it will say with all of these items, only purchase a new item when you don't already have one or can't find what you are looking for at a thrift store. Asking your parents if there is microwave safe plate that you can take with you is an option that eliminates purchasing a new one completely.
Tip 3
Going along with the theme of dinning needs, another great product that can be purchased and used outside of college is bamboo silverware. You can use this in your dorm and when you go out to eat. If your college uses disposable silverware this is an option for helping to lessen the amount of waste you are sending to the land fill. What is also great about bamboo silverware is that it requires hand washing, which is basically the only way to wash dishes while living in a dorm. The second option I included comes with a travel case and chopsticks.
Tip 4
Recycle, recycle, recycle. Take advantage of the recycling service that is available in your dormitory. Know what can and cannot be recycled. The iRecycle app is a great resource of finding facilities that will recycle materials that local sanitation services will not.
Tip 5
Do not use plastic water bottles! Purchase a glass or stainless steel water bottle. I am guessing that you already own a water bottle that fits these requirements, its just the effort of remembering to use it that can be difficult.
Tip 6
Something that can make a big difference in your efforts to live sustainably while in college is by using an electronic or digital planner. There are many different ways this can be done. You could simply use the notes app on your smartphone. I would say this is the easiest because you can just update it while in class when the assignments are given or when the professor publishes on the class website. A way to make sure that you do not miss any assignment deadlines is by setting reminders. If you want a more creative digital planner you can use the GoodNotes app to create different spreads. I plan on creating a number of different planner related spreads for students. Stay tuned for that post.
Tip 7
Purchasing electronic copies of your textbooks is the most sustainable option. This can be expensive, but for me I find it to be very beneficial because I have assess to the textbook at all times. If you cannot purchase an electronic copy of a textbook, then next best option is to use a rental service. This can either be done through the bookstore at your college, Amazon, Chegg or other online companies. If you are unable to rent the needed textbook you can always purchase the textbook and when the semester is done you can use the same services to sell or rent out the book. Another option is to contact the professor of the class when the next semester has started and ask if there is a student in need of the textbook. Some universities have Facebook groups dedicated to students selling and renting textbooks to one another. I would highly recommend checking this out.Tip 8
Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use. Every morning when I do this I say to myself "I am cutting the power." Using daylight to light up your dorm room instead of turing on the lights and using energy when there is an available option that is free and sustainable.Tip 9
To avoid creating excessive amount of paper that will just be disposed of (hopefully recycled) at the end of the semester make the switch to taking electronic lecture notes. You can do this using a laptop or an iPad. If you are interested in taking notes on an iPad check out my blog post Taking Notes on an iPad. Another way to avoid paper waste is by only printing out documents or files that are required for class. Instead of printing documents and keeping them in folders or binders, you can create folders for each course on your laptop or iPad. This is an easy and effective way to keep everything organized and paper-free.Tip 10
To minimize food waste, get small portions of food and if you are still hungry then you can go back to get more. If you are going to purchase food from the grocery store, try to find a bulk grocery store or at best a store that has a bulk section. By bringing your own containers for the bulk food, you are not using the plastic bags which will just end up being thrown away and cause a number of problem for the environment. Another tip for grocery shopping in general is to bring your own grocery bags.
Tip 11
My next tip is to use a hand towel instead of paper towels. The residential hall that I live in does not have hand dryers, it only has paper towels. By using a hand towel to dry your hands you are eliminating the amount of paper waste being sent to the landfill. I am not ashamed to carry a towel around in my backpack if I know I am making a small difference to improve the quality of our environment.
Tip 12
University clubs and organizations love to load students up with free stuff. Refrain from taking the free study. In the lobby of my residential hall the health club is always handing out sample size products. An item that I am always eager to pick up when clubs are passing them out is reusable bags.
I hope that these products and tips not only inspired you to live more sustainably in your dormitory, but also allowed you to see that you can easily make small changes in your day to day life that will have a lasting impact.
Don't forget to stay up to date on my blog by following my social media accounts!
Instagram: @whenishouldbestudying
Pinterest: @whenishouldbestudying
I hope that these products and tips not only inspired you to live more sustainably in your dormitory, but also allowed you to see that you can easily make small changes in your day to day life that will have a lasting impact.
Don't forget to stay up to date on my blog by following my social media accounts!
Instagram: @whenishouldbestudying
Pinterest: @whenishouldbestudying
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