If you’re anything like me, it can be overwhelming thinking about how your everyday actions affect the environment. Sometimes I feel really great about the decisions I make because I know they’re contributing to a greener world; however, this isn’t always the case. When life gets stressful in college, I have the tendency to want to prioritize convenience, regardless of the environmental impact. Living a greener life doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Here are a few examples of ways you can effortlessly live a greener life, even with a busy schedule: 

1. Keep a compost bucket in your apartment. Composting is the process of breaking down and reusing organic materials. [1] This process diverts food from landfills and gives purpose to your scraps. [2] Not only does composting reduce food waste, but it can be used as fertilizer, providing essential nutrients and increasing water retention in soil. [3] If you have any sealable container, whether it’s Tupperware or a bucket, you can participate in this activity! While composting your own scraps can be overwhelming, there are always accessible programs designed to collect your compost. In fact, here at Walla Walla University, we have a new student-led composting program. If you’re interested in starting your own compost bucket, the leaders of our WWU sustainability team would be so excited to collect your compost every week. You can learn more on their Instagram, @wwusustainability. 
2. Carry a reusable water bottle. Single-use, plastic water bottles are one of the largest sources of plastic use around the planet, with only an average of 27% being recycled annually. [4] A simple way to combat this problem is by carrying a reusable water bottle and using water bottle filling stations around campus.  
3. Reuse and recycle old clothes. Reusing and recycling clothes has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 52%, reduce water consumption by 95%, and reduce overall chemical pollution by 45%. [5] Whether this looks like selling old clothes, upcycling, or donating to second-hand programs, this small decision can make a huge difference for the environment.  
4. Buy used textbooks. Purchasing required textbooks not only has an impact on your wallet but also on the climate. 14% of deforestation is attributed to the demand for paper goods such as books. [6] Furthermore, paper production requires substantial amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. [7] Just by buying used textbooks or finding the textbook online, you can make a positive difference when it comes to conservation (and you can save money while doing it!).  

When life gets overwhelming, it may be hard to think about your impact on the environment. Living a greener life doesn’t have to be stressful, but implementing these four tips will effortlessly improve your environmental impact.  

References 

1. Colón, J., Martínez-Blanco, J., Gabarrell, X., Artola, A., Sánchez, A., Rieradevall, J., & Font, X. (2010). Environmental assessment of home composting. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 54(11), 893–904. 10.1016/J.RESCONREC.2010.01.008 
2. Ibid. 
3. Ibid. 
4. Bethurem, M., Choate, B., & Bramwell, S. (2021). Stop Piling on: Assessing Efforts to Reduce Single-Use Water Bottles at Allegheny College. Sustainability, 13(16), 8864. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168864  
5. Leal Filho, W., Ellams, D., Han, S., Tyler, D., Boiten, V. J., Paço, A., Moora, H., & Balogun, A.-L. (2019). A review of the socio-economic advantages of textile recycling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 218, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.210 
6. Towler, B. (2022, May 31). E-readers vs books: Which are better for the environment? CW. Commercial Waste. https://commercialwaste.trade/e-readers-vs-books-better-environment/