Sustainable Items for Campus Life – As you start to plan for college life, don’t forget the importance of preparing with sustainability in mind. Eco-friendly living should start as soon as you have the freedom to live a more sustainable life on your own. As you start preparing for college, think about the various ways that you can pack for eco-friendly living on campus. Here are some ideas for you:
Eliminate plastic as much as possible
As you start preparing for a more sustainable lifestyle while you pack for college, take a look at everything from the kinds of foods you eat to the way you drink your water. While you need to nourish and hydrate yourself, a habit of quick fast food or packaged microwave dishes, as well as bottled water, are all things that contribute to the planet’s waste.
A few things that you can do before you head off to college are to invest in glassware and learn how to cook. This way, you can always be prepared with the kinds of healthy food you like, packaged in a safe and eco-friendly way. Get the hydration that you need every day by investing in a 32 oz water bottle. An easy-to-carry, insulated option is the best choice for hydrating, no matter the season.
Research non-packaged foods
As you think about how you can shop for sustainable products when moving to college, don’t forget the foods you will be preparing. It can definitely be difficult to find non-packaged food items, but wherever possible, it’s a good move for the environment to do so.
This may look like shopping for less processed foods and looking in the fresh food aisles. Or you may want to consider a farmer’s market, where the food is locally grown. Wherever you can make changes to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle, the better.
Look into non-packaged soaps, shampoos, etc
Apart from your produce and food, another area to consider shopping for non-packaged items is your hygienic items. From your shampoo and conditioner to your soap and even your toothpaste, there are a lot of sustainable companies out there offering products that come as they are, unpackaged and ready to be used. If you’re unfamiliar with these products, you may not be used to using them.
For example, shampoo in a bar and not liquid may throw you off at first. But with products designed for all kinds of hair and skin, etc., you’ll find that they work just as well as any typical product you’d buy at your local grocery store.
Get a bicycle
Are you looking to reduce your impact on the planet by reducing your carbon footprint? While many people hop in their cars to drive less than 20 minutes to their office, you could consider a trusty bicycle to get you to work. Not only will you be making decisions for the environment, but you’ll also be doing a lot for your health and body. On days with bad weather, hop onto public transport to get to work.
Recycle and get recycled items
Separating your trash is the first step towards an eco-friendly lifestyle at school. So too is learning how to shop for recycled items so that you’re not adding to consumerism and excess waste. Instead of buying brand-new, expensive clothes, look for options at local thrift stores.
If you need new furniture for your dorm, shops like Goodwill and Salvation Army are good places to start. While we love the idea of something new in our hands, the truth is that we can get just as much from a used item.
In Conclusion
As you start packing and preparation for your life at school, think about how you can do more for the environment by going with less. Or more, if that ‘more’ means more preparation with eco-friendly products. Doing good for the environment is always a good idea.
