Cut the Crap
How can college students waste less.
640. That is the number of pounds of waste that the average college student produces in a year. According to Dump and Run Inc., an organization dedicated to helping colleges and universities reduce their waste, the 640 pounds of waste includes approximately 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper. That’s in addition to the 142 pounds of food college students waste per year. The nonprofit states that the amount of waste on college campus has increasingly gotten worse.
Throughout the school year, there are plenty of things colleges and their students can do to lower their ecological footprint.
Colleges and universities can implement a variety of programs and items on campus in order to become more eco-friendly. Starting a compost project is one example. Composting is a process where an organic matter is naturally broken down. Fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags and paper are a few of the items that can be composted. Another option is to add more recycling bins and water bottle refill stations. Plus, colleges and universities can switch to LED light bulbs, eco-friendly appliances and more sustainable silverware and plates.
Creating new habits can be tough, so college students should try to improve or change your current ones. Using reusable products is a great place to start. When it’s time to go grocery shopping, bring reusable bags. When going to practice, class or the gym, try using a reusable cup and straw. As for classes and doing homework, try taking notes and completing assignments electronically. If you live on campus, make sure all lights, electronics or appliances are unplugged and off when these items are not being used. Another easy tip is to carpool or use public transportation. These methods can tremendously reduce one’s ecological and carbon footprint.
When finals are over and it’s time to pack, be sure to donate anything and everything you no longer want. Clothes and shoes can be donated to Goodwill, and unopened food can be donated to the on-campus food bank. The same is true of electronics. Several companies – such as Apple, Best Buy, Sprint, Staples and Amazon – offer a buyback or recycling program. Also, research for any local charities or nonprofits that take old electronics.
Lastly, it’s important to educate yourself. Approximately 80% of items that end up in landfills could have been recycled, which was stated in a blog featured on Rubicon, a technology company that’s goal is to end waste. All of those cans, bottles, pizza boxes and old papers can indeed be recycled. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. currently has a recycling rate of 30.5%. But in reality, this country’s recycling rate needs to be at 75% to keep up with the demand.
Look at labels before deciding to throw it in the trash. And take a look at yourself, too. The only way to improve your habits is to know what they are.
FACING THE TRUTH
Today’s society runs — maybe even thrives — on resources that lead to waste. But the Earth has a limited capacity on the amount of resources it can provide. An ecological footprint measures the demand humans have on nature.
In lew of the previously stated numbers, I went to Global Footprint Network’s website to test my ecological footprint. How could a busy college student like me produce this much waste? The footprint calculator test took approximately six minutes to complete. I was asked a series of questions about my diet, transportation, shopping habits and housing.
As a result, I received a personal Earth Overshoot Day of July 28. Essentially this means that the Earth would run out of its annual natural resources by this date. But that only would be if everyone has the same ecology habits as me. The test then stated that based on my eco habits we would need 1.7 Earths to survive on per year. That’s not awful, right? After breaking down the results, it turns out that my ecological footprint is three. In comparison, the U.S. current has a score of 8.1. The test also stated that my CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions is 4.5. Emissions are based off the burning of fossil fuels and the making of cement. Overall, this leaves my carbon footprint, the amount of carbon that goes in the air, totaling 52% of my total ecological footprint. Reflecting on this number, I realized that there were things that I did well in and things I could improve upon. Using little to no electricity is where I thrive. However, driving is for sure my biggest downfall.
To find out what your number is, visit footprintcalculator.org. After taking the test, you can personalize what needs to be done to reduce the number that you receive.
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