Students are the most accessible group of people to recruit when it comes to making a campus greener because recycling is among the simplest things anybody can do daily to lower the footprint on both the environment and the campus. While it is true that some dorm environments are close quarters, that shouldn’t mean you can’t do your part. If you are living in a dorm, there are some simple recycling habits that you can have that will have a fantastic impact on the campus life you are living. In this article, you’ll find a few tips every dorm student can adopt.
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Start with the Basics: Know What You Can and Can’t Recycle
Before jumping into recycling mode, review what can and cannot be recycled. Sure, you can toss all kinds of things into the recycling bin and feel good about it. What can happen, however, is that it becomes like garbage if enough non-recyclable materials contaminate the batch. Your dorm or hall provides guidelines for recycling, so check them out.
Generally, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum cans, and certain plastics are accepted. Greasy pizza boxes, food waste, and plastic wraps will almost always be rejected. Not sure about something? Ask your dorm’s recycling program, or visit Earth911.com or Eco-Cycle.org. Master these basics, and you’ll be off to a good start.
Reduce First, Recycle Second
Reducing waste is more important than recycling. The more trash you create, the more you’ll have to recycle, so the less trash you create, the less you’ll have to recycle. As a student, you probably use more single-use plastic: plastic water bottles, paper cups, packaging for snacks, and other items that might make up most of your waste. Find ways to reduce your usage.
For example, buy a reusable bottle filled with water or coffee or carry your shopping bag when you go to the store. The less you create in the first place, the easier it is to recycle – and the less strain you put on recycling centers.
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Create a Recycling System in Your Dorm Room
Living in a small dorm can make it tricky to organize recycling seamlessly, but you can still achieve it if you get creative. You can separate your recyclables in a designated area and use easy hacks to make it work in a space smaller than a hotel room. Here are the tips to help you do it smoothly:
- Reuse old boxes or containers instead of buying expensive recycling bins.
- Label containers so you know what goes where: paper, plastics, and glass or cans.
- Keep the containers compact to fit in your small space and avoid clutter.
- Empty your containers regularly to prevent them from overflowing and creating a mess.
- Position your recycling center where it’s easy to get to for deposits and keep it clean.
By following these easy steps, your dorm will be on its way to recycling, saving valuable storage space, and having a cleaner room. Read the review of the top writing service if you need high-quality support with your studies while making your campus life greener.
Recycle Electronics and Old School Supplies
People always forget that when they throw away their old computers, phones, laptop chargers, and electronics. You know, all those recyclable materials inside your old school supplies and electronics. When you shop, you see a lot of students who have that sleek new iPhone XS Max or Pixel 3 XL, and when they start getting old or just stop using them, they just throw them away. But you know that electronics contain metals that can be reused for new electronics.
For example, you could contact your campus or local community to look for e-waste recycling programs. Many universities have bins where you can deposit broken electronics for safe recycling. The same is true for old school supplies: there’s no reason to just toss out your half-used pens, batteries, notebooks, and folders at the end of the semester. Remembering all these tips is essential, but the most important one is simply thinking differently. Fostering sustainability is a long process that we can all contribute to, starting from our first semester.
Be Mindful of Food Waste
Another area for improvement with dorms is food waste. Students usually buy too many groceries at the beginning of the semester and leave their food in the fridge until it spoils. Not everything can be recycled, but it is a crucial part of a green lifestyle.
Plan meals and buy only what you know you will eat. Often, leftovers can be stored until later, and food scraps can be composted. If there isn’t a garden adjacent to your dormitory, ask about campus composts. Many campuses have community composting programs, so see if there is one at yours. Composting reduces waste going to landfills and creates beneficial compost material for campus gardens.
Spread the Word: Encourage Others to Recycle
Not only does recycling save our planet, but you don’t have to do it alone! The most effective way to have a more significant impact is to involve your other dorm friends by setting a great example and making recycling a part of your daily life.
Encourage your roommates and friends to do the same by discussing recycling and suggesting simple tips. Some campuses also have recycling challenges or events – join or create one! The more students who participate, the greener your campus will be. Small actions make a big difference – making your campus eco-friendly is a collective effort.
Small Steps for a Greener Campus
Sure, recycling in your dorm or apartment may feel like just a drop in the bucket, but these habits can add up to make a ripple in building a more environmentally friendly campus. By learning what you can and can’t recycle, reducing your waste, setting up a system, and encouraging others, you’re on your way to having a healthier campus life. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistently adding these small steps and protecting the planet for future generations.