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The zero waste movement has had its ups and downs, but global warming hasn’t. Unfortunately, our planet keeps warming up, and at this rate, our grandchildren might never be able to see snow. The picture is dire and causes anxiety for many people, especially students. But if you don’t do anything, the anxiety only keeps piling up. Let’s take some time to explore what each one of us can personally do to stop global warming without major changes to our lives.

Go paperless

Every student uses a lot of paper. Whether it’s buying new textbooks, notebooks or printing study materials, taking only a second to recognize that some things don’t need to be in paper form can really help you take care of the planet. 

When thinking, ‘WritePaper term paper service?’ try to opt for online services that send you a digital document instead of a paper one. Most submissions happen online as they are, so you don’t need to take that extra step and print the essay.

Go for used or digital textbooks. Not only will they cost less, but they are also more sustainable. If you think about it, it makes no sense that a book that takes hours and a small forest to be printed should only be used once by one person.

Digital textbooks are also a great option. It might be hard to get used to at first, especially if you like highlighting sentences right on the page. But most reader apps have that same functionality, and that’s the best part of using apps – if you don’t like something, you can just switch to another one.

Sort trash

Sorting trash and recycling might not seem like a low-effort kind of endeavor, but once you get used to it, it’s really not a big deal. You don’t need to buy a fancy trash bin for sorting; you can get by with just a few more bags. Most people already have loads of paper bags in their houses, so using them for recycling can only help you free up some space. 

Designate a corner in the kitchen for two more trash bags – one for paper and one for plastic and metal. Then, just toss trash into their respective bags. Read up on recycling rules in your area and find where you can dump those bags, and voila! You’re helping the planet, one small step at a time.

Watch your water and electricity use

Simply being mindful of where nature’s resources go can help you not only save the planet but also save some of your money.

Don’t let the water run while you’re brushing your teeth, washing your hands or washing the dishes. Turn off the tap when you don’t need it. Check the pipes and taps in your house for leaks. It might not seem like a big deal, but those drops do eventually add up. 

Turn off the lights when you exit the room. Switch out the lightbulbs in your house for LED ones. They are more durable, don’t emit UV light and are more eco-friendly. 

Unplugging the devices that are not in use at the moment can also go a long way. All the chargers, hair dryers and other small appliances use up electricity when they are plugged in. Unplugging them can help you save tiny bits of electricity and also ensure the longer life of those appliances.

Repair, don’t throw away

Instead of throwing out things that don’t work anymore, consider taking them to a handyman. Sometimes, the problem is minor and can be fixed in a matter of minutes. And instead of spending your money on a new appliance, you can support your local business and give that appliance a longer life.

The same goes for clothes. Sure, fast fashion clothes are not made to last. But giving them a longer life can help you save your hard-earned money and not add to the piles of trash in the landfill. Textile trash accounts for approximately 7% of all landfill mass. You don’t want to add to that a perfectly good item of clothing. 

If you don’t want to wear something because it’s out of style, donate it. If a button falls off or there’s a small tear, why not fix it? Sewing is a valuable skill and is not that hard to learn. Just ask Chat GPT ‘how to sew a button?’ and follow the instructions. 

If an item requires a bigger repair, you have a chance to support your local business again! Those tiny shops that offer clothes or shoe repairs have become way less popular now due to the fast fashion industry convincing us that clothes are single-use items. It’s not true. Clothes are meant to serve you for a long time, at least a few years. 

Mind your food waste

Cooking at home is cheaper, tastier and more sustainable than buying takeout. Apps like TooGoodToGo are an amazing opportunity to save food that would otherwise go to waste. For a fraction of the price, you can buy leftovers from your local restaurants, coffee shops or even grocery stores. It’s very convenient, and there’s an element of surprise!

As for your own kitchen, try to plan your meals. You don’t have to have a detailed menu for each week and spend your weekends meal-prepping. But just thinking ahead when you buy groceries is a great start. Don’t go grocery shopping hungry. It leads to impulse buys that might go to waste after. Always have a list when you’re going to the grocery store. It can help you avoid those impulse purchases and plan your meals better.

If food goes to waste when you cook too much ahead, try to cook for one or two servings. When you look up recipes, add ‘for one’ to your search. This will ensure that you don’t end up sick of the food you no longer want. 

Cooking is an issue for many students who don’t have enough time for it. But there are many recipes that come together in less than 15 minutes. To take more time for cooking, consider using the help of the best essay writing service for your homework. Services like that will help you free up an evening to prepare some meals ahead or just chill.

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Remember that it’s not your responsibility

The current social landscape requires people to go to great lengths to avoid the Earth overheating. But we must remember that no matter how many people go vegan, corporations will keep dumping toxic waste into our pristine lakes. Unfortunately, sorting trash is a minor change compared to that.

This is when eco-activism can give you peace of mind. Going to protests and rallies and being aware of those issues can help you bring real change to the world.

Wrapping Up

Being eco-friendly is not about a lifestyle anymore. It’s an essential step for our survival. The more people understand how important it is, the better. But it’s also important to understand that eating sustainably sourced food and buying clothes from local brands is a privilege that not many can afford. You must be patient with yourself and others when you talk about sustainability and the changes you make in your life.

The most important part is how it makes you feel. If sorting trash makes you happy and content, keep doing just that. If you get anemic because of going vegan, consider going back to eating meat just for some time.