BY MIMI HUCKINS ’21
This summer, I started to feel a bit hypocritical about my environmental footprint. I was having immense anxiety about climate change and was preaching that action needs to be taken to stop it, but was still supporting fast fashion and throwing away three single-use plastic water bottles a day. It’s not just about personally producing less waste; it’s also about not supporting the companies that function to pollute and produce mass amounts of plastic.
I started my journey to create less waste and have since had friends and family asking me questions and looking for advice as if I am some sort of expert, which I am not. “Zero waste” is the most commonly used phrase, but I prefer to define myself as low-waste or plastic-free, as I am human and still produce waste.
Being in college is definitely a challenge when it comes to living a low-waste lifestyle, but it also has its benefits. For example, it’s extremely easy to eat in the dining commons 100 percent waste-free, but on the other hand, if you want any food to-go, most of it is going to be packaged in a ridiculous amount of plastic. Here are some ways I find are effective to reduce your carbon footprint, produce less waste and (hopefully) save money:
1. Make simple swaps. Only after you have used up what you already have, try swapping out your plastic products for compostable or biodegradable ones. Swap your plastic toothbrushes for bamboo toothbrushes. Use a shampoo bar instead of shampoo in a plastic bottle. Stop using a Keurig, or at least swap out the wasteful pods with refillable, reusable compatible cups and fill them with ground coffee bought in bulk.
2. Shop from carbon-neutral companies and buy secondhand. Instead of shopping from Amazon, buy from companies who really work to be carbon-neutral like EarthHero. Additionally, shop secondhand! The clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world after the fossil fuel industry. Supporting the fashion industry is harmful no matter how it’s done, and shopping at “ethical” companies is usually extremely expensive. Shop for what you need at secondhand stores, and don’t overbuy.
3. Always choose reusable options. Our biggest fault when it comes to producing waste is single-use plastics. Everywhere you go, there will be an option to use plastic as a form of convenience. The most prominent ones in my life have been plastic coffee cups, plastic bags and “to go” food. Try finding a reusable cup that you already own and bring it with you everywhere. When you go shopping, bring a tote bag with you. I try not to eat at the Grab n’ Go in Blanchard because the plastic used to package the meals on campus has increased significantly this semester. If I need to, I will choose a sandwich wrapped in paper and whole fruit to avoid using plastic packaging and utensils.
4. Use what you have and don’t throw anything out! Everything can be repurposed or reused by another person. List it on free and for sale. DIY it. Throw it in the free bin. There’s always another option.