Go green on a college budget
They’re saying that green is the new black—that is, environmentally-friendly living is the hottest trend these days. However, as college students, our budgets can’t really accommodate a totally green lifestyle. How many students do you know who can afford a hybrid car or to replace all the appliances in their apartment with Energy Star products? Luckily for you, in honor of Earth Day, RocLoop put together this list of simple ways to go green without taking a major toll on your wallet. Some of these tips can actually save you money, so check them out!
Reusable grocery bags
Think about that huge pile of plastic bags you’ve collected and add to every time you shop at Wegmans or Target. Sure, you can reuse them a couple times, but eventually they’ll end up in the garbage and clog up a landfill somewhere. A growing number of stores, including Wegmans and Target, now sell reusable mesh bags that you can bring with you to the store to be refilled every time you shop. At Wegmans, each bag costs 99 cents, and they have thick, sturdy handles that make them easier to pack and to carry than plastic bags.
Nalgene bottles
Same thing as those plastic bags. Did you know a disposable plastic water bottle takes 700 years to start decomposing? Instead of grabbing a bottle of Poland Spring every day, you can pick up a reusable bottle, like a Nalgene, which happen to be made right here in Rochester. These hold more water than a disposable bottle, and you can grab one for relatively cheap. We found these cool green “Refill not landfill” bottles at the Nazareth College bookstore on sale for Earth Day for $8.98.
Turn off lights and appliances
If you live off-campus and pay for your own electricity, you can actually save money with this trick—how’s that for budget-friendly? Simply make a point of turning off lights in unoccupied rooms and unplugging appliances that you’re not using, such as hair dryers, which actually draw power as long as they’re plugged in, even if they’re not running. The same goes for your laptop—unplug it when it’s done charging, and turn off your desktop at night and during the day when it’s not being used.
Dry your laundry outside
This is tough if you live in a dorm, but if possible, you can save a lot of energy by drying your clothes outside in the fresh air instead of in the dryer. If you pay for laundry or electricity, this will save you a little cash too.
Ride a bike
By riding your bike to work, class, or wherever, you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather, save gas money, cut down on your car’s carbon emissions and it’s good for your health. The advantages to riding a bike instead of driving are practically endless, so go dig one out of the garage or buy one used for pretty cheap. With gas prices skyrocketing, the investment will definitely pay off.
