The Earth: we live here, and it’s a pretty great place. Everything we need to survive is on it– air, food, water, and all the things humans have created. But the resources on earth aren’t infinite, unfortunately, and there will come a time when we as humans run out of resources.
How do we ensure there are resources for future generations? Introducing sustainability, defined by the United Nations as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability, when defined like that, does sound like a really big task, and it is.
One person alone doesn’t control how a country practices sustainability, it’s a group effort. Even though living a more sustainable life in college may seem like a daunting or confusing task, there are some simple changes and things you can implement in your day to day life to help make our world more sustainable for generations to come.
The first way to live life more sustainably may be something you’re already doing: thrift shopping. Studies have shown that 60% of all clothing made today will be thrown out within a year. That means not only the clothes are going to waste, but the time, energy, and resources used to make the clothes are thrown away.
Instead of buying $200 worth of clothes on Shein that you’ll only wear once, go thrifting, check a Facebook group, ask a friend if they’ve got stuff they don’t wear anymore. Plus, you may end up with a one-of-a-kind piece no one else has.
Now, lets talk plastic. One person in the U.S. uses an average of 562 pounds of new plastic yearly, and they discard about 287 pounds yearly, too. That’s a LOT of plastic. While avoiding single-use plastic in college can be difficult, swaps like a reusable water bottle and reusable straws can make a big difference.
But what about Starbucks cups? Are they recyclable? As it turns out, Starbucks cups aren’t recyclable due to the fact they’re paper cups lined with plastic. So next time you get coffee, try bringing a reusable cup.
If you’re interested in a hands-on approach to sustainability, ETSU’s Department of Sustainability is a great resource. You can learn more by visiting etsu.edu/sustainability, or by visiting their Instagram, @gogreenetsu.
Volunteering is also a great way to practice sustainability and get your hands dirty. No matter how you choose to incorporate sustainability in your daily life, you’re making a difference.
When in doubt, always remember the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
