Eco-Friendly What?
As a college student (or anyone who rents instead of owns or those who can't afford the cost) it is difficult to feel like I am making a major change in the environment. Without being able to renovate my house, I have tried to find simpler ways to make a difference. The changes that most people know about are in the same vein as change all light bulbs to CFLs, use re-usable shopping bags, reduce car emissions by carpooling or biking/walking, etc. However, there are a few other changes that most people could do to help that often get pushed aside or forgotten. For instance:
- Buy LOCAL! I can't stress this enough. Even living in a small town in the middle of no where I am able to find MANY items that are locally produced. Buying local isn't just about food (although that is where the focus tends to be) it is about utilizing local artisans and what they make. Look around for a local farmer's market or artist groups and ask!
- REDUCE and REUSE! Let's look at the first part... REDUCE. What exactly does this mean? Reduce the amount of resources you consume. Food is a resource, clothing is a resource, books are resources, everything is a resource. Buy USED products. Shop at garage sales, thrift stores, and used book stores (even better is the library). Then when you are done with something that is still in good condition, donate it so someone else can enjoy it!
Some ways to help our lovely planet fall in between the reduce and reuse. Paper towels, for example, are a convenience factor that many of us utilize but is unnecessary. If you are a woman one major change that you can make can directly impact your health and the world around you. Using cloth pads or a menstrual cup significantly reduce the amount of waste going into the environment and into your body. Gladrags.com and Lunapads.com are great websites that offer more information about these products.
Another way to reduce your waste is getting (or if you're feeling industrious making) a container for composting your kitchen scraps. Honestly, I haven't looked into composting indoors as much as outdoors but it is possible. Not only are you reducing your waste you are making very fertile soil for planting herbs, vegetables, or flowers even if that's in a window box in your apartment.
The main thing I've noticed about "going green" is that it is easier (and even though the initial cost may be more than you're used to) and more cost efficient than most people originally think. All it takes is a little more thought than what you would normally put into the action. Menstrual cycles, for instance, are a (usually) unavoidable phenomenon in women. You could go to the store and pick up a regular box of tampons or think about it and use a product that can be used multiple times. If the average box of tampons holds 20 tampons that includes the box itself, 20 applicators, 20 wraps, 20 tampons, the instructions. If you go through one box of tampons a month... just multiple all of the above by 12 and add them together.... yeah it adds up.
If everyone put just a few more minutes of thought into their daily routine, the world would be a much better (and happier!) place.
- Buy LOCAL! I can't stress this enough. Even living in a small town in the middle of no where I am able to find MANY items that are locally produced. Buying local isn't just about food (although that is where the focus tends to be) it is about utilizing local artisans and what they make. Look around for a local farmer's market or artist groups and ask!
- REDUCE and REUSE! Let's look at the first part... REDUCE. What exactly does this mean? Reduce the amount of resources you consume. Food is a resource, clothing is a resource, books are resources, everything is a resource. Buy USED products. Shop at garage sales, thrift stores, and used book stores (even better is the library). Then when you are done with something that is still in good condition, donate it so someone else can enjoy it!
Some ways to help our lovely planet fall in between the reduce and reuse. Paper towels, for example, are a convenience factor that many of us utilize but is unnecessary. If you are a woman one major change that you can make can directly impact your health and the world around you. Using cloth pads or a menstrual cup significantly reduce the amount of waste going into the environment and into your body. Gladrags.com and Lunapads.com are great websites that offer more information about these products.
Another way to reduce your waste is getting (or if you're feeling industrious making) a container for composting your kitchen scraps. Honestly, I haven't looked into composting indoors as much as outdoors but it is possible. Not only are you reducing your waste you are making very fertile soil for planting herbs, vegetables, or flowers even if that's in a window box in your apartment.
The main thing I've noticed about "going green" is that it is easier (and even though the initial cost may be more than you're used to) and more cost efficient than most people originally think. All it takes is a little more thought than what you would normally put into the action. Menstrual cycles, for instance, are a (usually) unavoidable phenomenon in women. You could go to the store and pick up a regular box of tampons or think about it and use a product that can be used multiple times. If the average box of tampons holds 20 tampons that includes the box itself, 20 applicators, 20 wraps, 20 tampons, the instructions. If you go through one box of tampons a month... just multiple all of the above by 12 and add them together.... yeah it adds up.
If everyone put just a few more minutes of thought into their daily routine, the world would be a much better (and happier!) place.