Hi everyone! As you may know, I am a first-year college student living in the dorms. Living in an average residence hall is very expensive, and very wasteful. Here are my 5 tips for eco-friendly student living. (Some help to reduce cost as well!)
1. You'd be surprised how many students use plasticware and paper plates! Don't be lazy---invest in some dish ware of your own! I bought these cute BPA-free utensils from World Market. They are super easy to use and wash! The ends are interchangeable for a spoon, knife, fork, and chopsticks! I also bought a plate from there for a couple dollars and bought a mug from a thrift store! You will minimize waste and save money in the long-run.
2. Use a dish cloth or towel instead of paper towels. Trust me, you'll make so many messes. A reusable napkin/towel helps to reduce waste and makes your dorm feel so much more homey.
3. Plants help to purify and circulate the air in a room. I used to have a cute little succulent plant but I killed it :( I made this little bamboo tree from an old plastic water bottle! You only need to water bamboo plants once per week! Wow, so eco-friendly!!
4. Surge protectors help to save energy! Plus, you will definitely not have enough outlets for all your electronics in your dorm! It's super easy to switch off when you don't need it. *ALWAYS* unplug or turn off electronics when they're not in use. (exception: your mini-fridge... that would be a bad idea) Turn off the lights and AC when you leave your dorm. My boyfriend jokingly says that leaving things plugged in creates "phantom energy." You don't want phantom energy haunting you... I guess?
5. DO NOT USE WATER BOTTLES PLEASE!!! They create so much unnecessary waste. Buy yourself a good thermos---here I am shamelessly featuring my Hydro Flask. Use any thermos that works for you and that is BPA-free. I typically use a large plastic water dispenser, but even that's bad! Our dorm unfortunately lacks filtered water :( Some people use Brita filters, do what you like best! I want to stress this tip the most!!!! This is definitely cost-efficient as well. If you must, try to purchase beverages that come in either glass bottles or bottles from recycled materials.
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That's it for my tips for being more eco-friendly and sustainable while living in a dorm! What did you guys think? Feel free to comment below with your thoughts or other helpful tricks! Earth Day is coming up and I am so excited!
Happy hunting!
---Courtney
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