Eco-friendly Hacks for 2021
I recently wrote an article on how to keep up with your new year’s resolution. If you are still looking for habits to implement, here are ten eco-friendly hacks for 2021. While these actions might seem to be insignificant, they add up quickly and make a difference when many people do them consistently.
1. Ditch plastic water bottle: Continually drinking bottled water takes a toll on both your wallet and the environment, since the plastic will likely harm marine animals. You can instead install a water filter at home and always carry a reusable water bottle–refill stations are prevalent on campus!
2. Choose plastic-free delivery: When online shopping is a necessity, consider purchasing from suppliers offering eco-friendly shipping options like plastic-free delivery.
3. Refuse single-use silverware: In this new era where food delivery is the norm, skip the unnecessary plastic cutlery. For on-campus students, you can opt out of plastic silverware on the Grubhub app. You can even purchase a reusable silverware set from Hillside!
4. Go paperless: Everything from meetings to world events is virtual today, why not go digital with your notes and textbooks? By going paperless this semester, you will avoid a significant amount of waste.
5. Use reusable shopping bag: Stopping by the dining halls or a grocery store? Bring your own reusable bag and skip the disposable ones.
6. Brew your own coffee: Rather buying a cup of coffee daily, why not invest in a French press? This will not only save you money, but also divert single-use cups from landfills
7. Start composting: For those learning remotely, try composting this year if you haven’t already. It’s incredibly simple and you will get excellent nutrients to boost your plants’ growth.
8. Reduce water consumption: Running water is affordable in the West but is a precious resource. To use less water, you can either install low-flow faucets at home or take shorter showers.
9. Package-free products: Many eco-conscious stores now sell package-free products, from soap bar to pasta. Buying these products when possible is a great way to reduce waste and your carbon footprint.
10. Share environmentally focused resources: Encourage your friends and family to become more eco-conscious through engaging conversations and online resources such as our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Written by Kelly Jean, Class of 2021
Photo by Oana Cristina on Unsplash