Several months ago, Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a climate change emergency. Following this positive step, now is the time for action. We can all make simple life changes to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are 10 simple things students can do to help the environment.
1. Invest in a keep cup
Coffee quickly becomes a stable part of any students lifestyle, with a steady increase in consumption around exams. All those disposable coffee cups build up, unrecycled plastic takes hundreds of years to breakdown, meaning lots of it ends up impacting the natural environment. Buy a keep cup and always carry it with you. It will benefit the environment and your also your pocket as most cafes offer discounts for people who use keep cups.
2. Prioritise quality over quantity
As a society, we are guilty of buying into the disposable ' fast fashion' trend of buying something, wearing it only a few occasions and disposing of it. The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, second only to the oil industry. Next time you're out shopping, ask yourself if this is something you really need. Prioritise products that will stand the test of time rather than disposable fashion pieces that will only last a few washes. Buying vintage and secondhand clothing has a range of environmental benefits, including fewer carbon emissions, conserving water, and reducing waste. Plus you get trendy, quirky pieces that no one else will have, it's a win-win.
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3. Recycle, but do it correctly
Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in the European Union. China, the world's largest importer of recyclables, took 95% of Irish waste in 2016. Due to low-grade, poorly segregated and contaminated materials they banned the importing of plastics from European countries. Ensure you reduce, reuse and recycle but follow packaging guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled.
4. Ditch all single-use plastic
A big part of leading a more sustainable lifestyle is adjusting your drinking habits. When you're out, ask bartenders not to add single-use plastic straws to your drink. To be well-prepared carry a metal reusable straw with you on nights out. Stop buying plastic water bottles straight away, use a reusable water bottle instead. Don't make Jason Momoa shave his beard again.
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5. Leave the car at home and cycle instead
If you are a car owner, try leaving the car at home and opting for walking or using your bicycle instead. It's better for the environment and also for your fitness.
6. Donate your old clothes to charity
When you're doing a Marie Kondo inspired clear out, donate the clothing that doesn't spark joy to charity. Even if your clothing isn't suitable for resale, charity shops will pass on the items to be recycled.
7. Carry a reusable bag at all times
It's happened us all at some point, you get to the top of the till and realise you left your reusable bag at home. You spend 5 cents on another plastic bag for your shopping and add it to the ever-expanding drawer of plastic bags. To avoid this common scenario carry a reusable bag with you at all times.
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8. Eat less meat
Cutting down on meat is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Beef production has a considerable effect on climate change due to emissions of greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. Introduce more organic fruit and vegetables to your diet. It's never been easier to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet.
9. Stop printing college notes
Try and adopt a paperless approach to college and stop printing unnecessarily. Store all your notes on Google Drive so you can easily access them from your laptop or your phone.
10. Reduce household energy use
If you're living in student accommodation and all your bills are included, it's tempting to leave your heaters. This is a terrible waste and bad practice for when you have to start paying for your heating bills. To conserve energy, turn off all appliances and lights that you’re not using. Also, wash your clothing at a 30-degree wash.
