It seems like everyone these days is looking for ways to become more environmentally responsible. For international students, buying a hybrid car or working for a sustainable company are not always viable options, but there are plenty of simple ways to save the planet while focusing on your studies. Here are just a few:
1. Travel light
Laptops and other electronic devices have become increasingly commonplace in the classroom, and most free e-mail providers offer digital alternatives to paper calendars and sticky-notes, allowing students to fulfill their study requirements using very little paper. But if a course still requires a textbook, consider sharing the cost of one copy with several classmates, or try accessing portions of the text online.
2. Recycle your textbooks
Everyone knows about recycling in the traditional sense—and dropping paper and plastic waste items into their appropriate campus bins is certainly good practice—but what about those stacks of old textbooks collecting dust on your shelves? Some organizations in the United States collect used texts and deliver them not only to recycling plants, but also to libraries, detainment facilities, and schools in underprivileged regions. Contact your school’s campus life office for help in finding such charitable outlets for used books.
3. Live online
The Web offers a million ways to go paperless. Make the most of it by communicating with friends and family via e-mail. You can also reduce waste and clutter by subscribing to Web versions of your favorite magazines and periodicals. And while album art is cool, getting your music through pay-per-download sites is a quick, easy, and much cooler way to help the environment. Be sure to back everything up on an external hard drive or secure space in an online storage database to ensure the safety of your files.
4. Not-quite-junk mail
Choosing the right academic program takes a lot of research. But instead of requesting institutional information by mail, use the resources available at www.CollegeView.com to view campuses, contact faculty members, and make decisions about your course of study. This information is comprehensive and often completely downloadable, saving you clutter while saving the planet from excess paper.
5. Eat smart
It’s easy to forget the little things, but on-the-go meals and fast food can account for an incredible amount of paper waste. Carry your own mug for tea and coffee, and try to avoid using plastic eating utensils or paper napkins whenever possible. Investing in a faucet water filter for your dorm sink, carrying reusable shopping bags, and using cloth instead of paper towels are even more good ways to limit your paper consumption.
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