Tips for Being Green for College Students

It is undeniable that "being green" is the "in" thing to be right now. Companies boast of the different ways that they are cutting down on their carbon footprint on the environment. New energy saving devices are flying off of shelves. Reusable grocery bags are becoming both the cool and fashionable way to pack your groceries away, and the twirly-looking light bulbs are becoming more and more common in households across the world. For anyone who is gracing a college campus this year, he may become even more aware of the growing "be green" trend that is sweeping across the nations, for often at the forefronts of such progressive movements are college students. Here are some ways that you can be an environmentally aware college student this year.

Recycle it! Have a couple of "trash" cans in your room. Use one for regular waste items (old top ramen packages, plastic wrapping off of food packages, used napkins, etc.) and set apart the other one for only paper products to be recycled. This way all of your "trash" is already separated and you can fill recycle bins (possibly available at your university) with clean paper products to be recycled.

Reuse it! Before you toss those papers into the paper products bin in your room, make sure both sides are used up all the way. Not only will this save you money (since you'll have to buy paper less often), but it is also more environmentally friendly. You will most likely have rough drafts of papers that you've printed that have completely clean backsides that can be used as scratch paper for working calculus problems or practicing organic equations. Besides reusing old paper, you can also save money (and the environment) by using either metal silverware or plastic cutlery that you wash after use (as opposed to throwing it away). Using a new plastic fork every time you dive into a late night bowl of top ramen can be both costly and wasteful; instead, just wash and reuse whatever form of dining ware you possess.

Conserve it! Most people waste a lot of water throughout their every day lives simply because they take this precious commodity for granted. Do not follow their trend; instead, set your own rules for conserving water, whether you are in a drought region or not. Always turn off the bathroom sink when you're not using it to rinse off your toothbrush while brushing teeth. Take quick showers, instead of long luxury ones. Maximize your time in the shower by doing all "necessary" activities, such as shaving your legs if you are a female (instead of shaving them on a separate occasion and thus using more water).