Jenna Lawrence | Opinion Editor
It can be difficult to be sustainable in college since we are all worried about and doing a million other things, such as focusing on school, maintaining friendships/ relationships, making sure we maintain our health – the list goes on. However, it is important to make decisions that positively impact our environment and be mindful of what we put out into our planet. Here are three ways we can be more sustainable as college students:
1. Recycle!
Recycling is extremely important to remain sustainable. "Reduce, reuse, and recycle" is a mantra we should always remember, as it stands true even in college. Sometimes recycling can be hard because it can be slightly confusing what is recyclable versus what isn’t. Additionally, something simple you can do is to use reusable products, such as reusable water bottles, straws, and dryer balls. For information on recycling procedures in Connecticut, visit this link: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Reduce-Reuse-Recycle/FAQs---Recycling-Program#:~:text=The%20list%20of%20current%20designated,food%20and%20beverage%20containers%3B%20newspapers%3B.
2. Sustainable Transportation
Everyone knows that cars are one of the highest burners of fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gases. Solutions for this issue include biking, carpooling, and shuttles. Luckily for us, Eastern has an on-campus and off-campus shuttle! For more on their hours and other information, visit this site: https://www.easternct.edu/police/services/shuttle-service.html.
3. Conserve Energy & Water
Although you may not feel as though you need to be as mindful of the electricity or amount of water you use as a dorm resident, it is still essential to practice conserving energy as it is a great habit to acquire for the future. Even though you are not paying any bills for the energy used in a dorm, the amount of energy used still contributes to your ecological footprint. Conserving energy and water is as easy as turning off the lights when you leave a room and unplugging your electronics when you are not using them, as well as being mindful of how long you are showering and letting any water run.
Trying to be sustainable and practice sustainable habits is important, however, it is a group effort. All people must practice sustainability to reduce carbon and ecological footprints to help better our planet!