With the rise of single-use plastics has come a rise in wanting to avoid using them. Many people have been changing habits or using specific items in their everyday lives to try and reduce the amount of waste and trash they create. As a college student living in a dorm, you don’t have all of the luxuries that you would in an apartment or house. Therefore, if you want to be sustainable, you don’t have all of the options you would have otherwise.
Important Things To Remember About Sustainability
When it comes to being sustainable, there are two things to remember:
Use what you already have
I know it can be tempting to run out and get a lot of reusable and sustainable products to replace single-use items. However, it is important to use everything that you have first. Once you finish your shampoo in a plastic bottle, then you can switch to a shampoo bar.
There is no one right way to live sustainably
Whatever you can do to be sustainable helps. If you can’t afford to make the change, it is not the end of the world. Massive corporations who pollute and create single-use plastics are the issue. They put the responsibility on the consumer to fix the problem they are actively contributing to.
Do whatever you can to use less plastic and create less waste. However, don’t feel guilty if you can’t.
Ways To Be Sustainable
Here are some tips and tricks to live sustainably in a dorm:
Refill Stores
Refill stores are a great way to be sustainable! You can bring empty bottles and containers and fill them up with different products. I get my shampoo and conditioner from a refill store. There are two refill stores near Mt. Vernon, Indigo River in Cedar Rapids and Basic Goods in Iowa City.
Both stores offer products you can refill various containers with, products that don’t use plastic, or products from sustainable brands.
Reusable and Biodegradable Items
WATER BOTTLES –
Something that many people use every day that is sustainable is reusable water bottles. You can find them just about anywhere and there are a lot of places to fill them up around campus. If you don’t fully trust the quality of the water, you can get a water bottle that has a built-in filter or buy a Brita. While Brita filters do create some plastic, it is less than how much plastic single-use water bottles would make.
DRYER BALLS –
There are many ways you can reduce waste when it comes to your laundry. If you use dryer sheets, you can replace them with dryer balls. They help your clothes dry faster and reduce the amount of wrinkles in your clothes.
REUSABLE PERIOD PRODUCTS –
When it comes to reusable period products, there are many different options out there. If you’re living with roommates and sharing a bathroom, some of them become more of a hassle. However, there are still products out there that would work.
Most tampons come with individual plastic applicators. If you think about how many tampons someone uses during their period, that results in a lot of trash and plastic waste. One way to avoid that waste is by investing in a reusable tampon applicator and opting to buy applicator-less tampons. Another way is by using a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups are generally safer and can hold more blood than tampons. With that being said, they can be more difficult in the beginning and can be messy at times.
If you don’t wear tampons, the best option for dorm living is to get something that is biodegradable. August is a pad and tampon brand that creates biodegradable products. On their website you can build a box of your ideal products on their website and have it delivered to you.
FOLDABLE TOTE BAGS –
There are many reusable and foldable tote bags out there that are designed to be carried with you wherever you go. Some types come with a small pouch the bag can be compressed down into and tossed in any backpack or purse. Whenever you’re given the option for a plastic bag at a store, you can use that instead.
MAKEUP AND HYGIENE
If you use cotton pads to take your makeup off, I recommend trying reusable makeup pads. When they’re dirty, you can wash them in the washing machine or sink and they’re good as new. (Although they may be stained a bit.) Indigo River–the previously mentioned refill store–carries reusable makeup pads.
Constantly buying razor heads can be annoying and expensive. The best alternative is a metal safety razor. While you need to change the blade more often, the blades are usually cheaper and come in bulk.
THRIFTING AND BUYING SECOND-HAND
Thrifting is a great way to reduce waste. The product you’re buying has already been created/assembled and you’re giving it another life. It’s a cheap and sustainable way to expand your wardrobe. If you aren’t a fan of clothes shopping in person, there are online thrift stores; my favorite is ThredUp.
Another use for thrifting is to find decor or supplies for your dorm. You can find dishes and silverware for pretty cheap at just about every second-hand store. When living in a dorm, you only need a couple of pieces of silverware. Most things you will find in a second-hand store will be pretty durable.
As a student–especially at Cornell College–you constantly have to buy books for class. It’s more sustainable to buy books second-hand. The bookstore offers the option to buy used books from other students. However, if you’re looking for cheaper used books, I recommend slugbooks.com. It searches the internet for cheap places to buy your specific books (when you’re using slugbooks, you should buy books in advance because they tend to take a while to arrive).
Sustainable Habits
Many habits are vital to adapt if you want to live sustainably. Here are some easy ones that don’t take much effort or much explaining:
- Turn the lights off when you leave the room.
- Limit your water usage.
- Eat leftovers before buying more food.
- It saves space in your fridge and is cheaper.
- Pick up trash when you see it.
- It may be gross, but picking up pieces of trash and throwing them away at the next trash can save it from causing more damage to the environment. Remember, it takes years for plastic to decompose. Your first toothbrush is probably still out there.
- Reuse plastic bags when possible.
- Using them as trash can liners is a great way to keep your trash can clean and gives your bags a–brief but–second life.
- If you can, join the environment club!
- They are a great resource for anyone who wants to be more sustainable and be more involved.
Using these tips and more, you can live a less wasteful life. Being sustainable is not only good for the environment, but can be a cheap alternative in some cases.
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