Students can be sustainable in college

There are plenty of ways to be sustainable in college without having to change too many of your habits. Along with being sustainable, you could also have the chance to save money at the same time. There are obvious ways to be sustainable like taking shorter showers, turning off lights, reusable water bottles, and so much more. Alas, there is always more that can be done. Here’s a quick guide to how you can be more sustainable:

• Reusable razors can be found in stores and online. With reusable razors, you only have to change the blade thus never actually getting a new razor or throwing away any plastic.

• Thrift shopping for clothes is a well-known way of being sustainable. By thrift shopping, old clothes can be reused and revamped rather than ending up in a landfill. Sophomore design major Rebecca Branton said, “Clothes belong on hangers, not in a landfill!”

• Using reusable shopping bags can eliminate unnecessary plastic that is accumulated in one shopping trip. These bags can be bought from a craft store, a local shopping center, online, or even thrifted. A fun activity to have amongst friends is decorating these bags to help remember them when going to the store.

• Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and affordable. By using a bamboo toothbrush, there isn’t the plastic waste of a regular one.

• A popular way to be sustainable is by using a reusable water bottle. “I’ve found that it’s super easy to just keep a clean one in your car when you’re on the go,” Branton said. Some companies like Starbucks have even adapted to selling reusable products like drink tumblers or coffee cups.

• Buy locally. There are plenty of markets and fairs that have local vendors who make ecofriendly products such as clothes, cosmetics, and even home decorations. In the Clayton Center for the Arts works Sunny Tune, who created East Tennessee Soap Works with her husband. ETSW has either recyclable or reusable packaging for their products. Not only do they have homemade soap, but they also have shampoo bars and foaming sugar scrubs. Buying locally is more eco-friendly, but it also gives artists a chance to show their talent.

“Be conscious of your impact. Keep an eye out for products with conscious packaging that can easily be recycled,” Branton said. Although changing habits can be difficult, every effort you make matters.