Let’s face it; during these four (or more) years, students’ lives are balanced by the green that runs us all, and unfortunately, it is not our planet. Instead, it’s money. Our relationships with money can be complicated, especially now in our college days.
However, as college students, we should use these years to teach ourselves basic living skills, especially with money. College students might struggle with empty pockets, but it is still possible to live a sustainable life with limited resources.
Sustainability is crucial now. Plastic is not being properly disposed of, food is being wasted and electricity is being overused. The world is slowly dying and we need to take action, starting as early as possible in our adulthood.
Growing up, I was not focused on my own sustainability. I drank from plastic bottles, I barely recycled and left my lights on when I did not need them. I didn’t think about how I was negatively affecting the Earth and I was unaware of its growing problems until it was too late to take back my negative contributions to our planet.
Now, I barely have money floating around, but I do practice sustainability to an extent. When I am not in the room, I turn off the lights. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is better for the electricity bill. I try not to run too much water when washing dishes or spending too much time in the shower. I use my janky reusable water bottle instead of buying disposable ones.
The most important practice I have learned is mindfulness. Being mindful of the things around you and the power you have over the environment is the biggest step you can take towards sustainability. Once you recognize how your habits affect the planet, you can start figuring out how to alter them to be planet-friendly.
Even though it can be overwhelming, there are ways to be good to the Earth. Picking up trash from the ground and throwing it away is a good first step to take when it comes to sustainability. Being mindful of water and electronic usage can also make a big difference. Not only will it save you a lot of money on your
bill payments, but it will also preserve the environment.
Lastly, keep in mind the old phrase “reuse, reduce, recycle”. Reuse items more than once, reduce the amount of waste you produce and recycle items if possible.
Although Augustana has made small steps towards sustainability, there are still areas where encouraging students to be greener would be beneficial. Recycling bins in the dorms and TLAs does not push students to recycle. Even when the dining hall provides paper plates and plastic silverware, we are told to dump it into the trash. Additionally, many students use the recycling bins as an extra trash bin.
Even though information on individual recycling can be hard to find, Augie Acres, Augustana’s local agriculture society, promotes recycling and composting, recently rolling out a composting program for students around campus to participate in. Offering bins to students in Transitional Living Areas and in nearby houses, Augie Acres. provides resources and community to students interested in sustainability. Sustainability is possible, even during our college years.
It is up to us to make the change and highlight the issues, especially on this campus. Augustana should inform us on how we can be more sustainable as students because we need to live a better, greener lifestyle. We need to promote and protect our future generations.
