Over the years, more and more young adults have been actively advocating for our precious planet. They became the voice of the environment, continuously finding ways to live sustainably. If you’re a university student wanting a greener lifestyle, here are nine practical ways you can positively impact the environment.

Deepen Your Knowledge

Being an advocate for the planet goes beyond knowing the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. As a college student, it is essential you keep yourself updated with the current pressing problems that our planet faces. If you’re just entering college, consider pursuing a degree that can make a positive contribution to the global campaign to save our precious earth, one of which is chemical engineering.

For years, chemical engineers have been designing sustainable solutions and processes to mitigate the unprecedented effects of today’s environmental issues. To ensure you receive a quality education, find a reputable school that offers this dynamic degree.

Utilize a More Eco-friendly Mode of Transport

Another simple way to live an eco-friendly lifestyle is to reduce your travel footprint. If you live on campus, walking is your best travel option. If you reside outside, use greener transport alternatives such as biking, train, or ferry travel. You can also use other public transportation or find a friend or peer to carpool with. These transport modes can also help you save money and improve your physical health.

Be a Smart Consumer

To live more sustainably as a college student, you must be mindful of your purchases. Whether it’s groceries, clothes, gadgets, or other items, it is important to shop wisely and deliberately. For instance, if you need school supplies for the incoming school year, take note of what you already have and those that can be reused, repaired, or replaced. Avoid buying things that serve no purpose, and support local businesses as much as possible.

Minimize Single-Plastic Use

While plastics can be convenient, they also significantly contribute to climate change. Plastic pollution has been a prevalent global problem that shows no indication of dying down. You can make a positive difference by minimizing or even eliminating your plastic usage. When eating out, bring your own reusable utensils and straws. Always use an eco-friendly water bottle and reusable shopping or grocery bags.

Disconnect Your Electronics

Since most college students today are tech-savvy, it is not surprising that they own a lot of devices. To reduce wasted electricity, make it a habit to unplug your electronics after using them. Avoid leaving your chargers plugged in the electrical socket, and switch off your television or radio when not in use. In addition, make sure you turn off your room lights whenever you leave and unplug your appliances, even small ones.

Conserve Water

Another simple yet impactful way to help the planet is by conserving water. As a college student, you may have been unintentionally wasting water with your daily habits. Like your gadgets, make it a point to turn off the faucet when not in use. When brushing your teeth or bathing, try to do it quickly or with minimal water consumption. Refrain from doing laundry multiple times a week, and use cold water instead of hot, as doing so can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Plant Trees

While planting trees independently around the campus may not be feasible, starting a tree-planting campaign with other college students can reap better results. Find a local group or community organizing tree plantations in schools and urban areas. Talk to your teachers and other relevant school personnel who have the power to start this advocacy.

Declutter and Donate

Living sustainability as a college student also means living simply. Instead of hoarding every item you’ve accumulated for years, make it a habit to declutter and donate some of your unused and unwanted possessions.

Take stock of your belongings – furniture, old clothes, cellphones, dishes, and other items that can still be valuable to others, and find a nonprofit organization that accepts them. Decluttering can also help you become more aware of your spending habits and how much money you’ve wasted on things that only gave you momentary pleasure.

Reduce Your Meat Consumption

While you don’t need to adopt a vegan lifestyle, minimizing your meat intake can significantly help save the planet. The meat industry is a major contributor to global warming, as meat production accounts for a significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Go meatless at least once or twice a week, and increase the frequency later on. Find healthy meat alternatives and increase your fruits and vegetables intake.

Endnote

These are some of the many ways you can save the planet as a college student. Remember, living a greener lifestyle is not an all-or-nothing endeavor. You don’t need to do a complete life overhaul to save Mother Earth, as small changes can make a significant difference.