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Life

4 Small Steps You Can Take To Be More Sustainable

Darya Chykunova
Simi Bhangoo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Alberta chapter.

Has the Climate Change Strike inspired you to be more sustainable? Great! Here are four small things you can do in your everyday life that will make a big impact on our planet: 

Bring a Reusable Cup

In the UK, around 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown out each year, and only 0.25% of these cups are recycled*. By bringing a reusable cup with you, you can help to change these statistics. Many companies such as Starbucks encourage such a practice and will give you a $0.10 discount on your drink.

 

*According to this website: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/657/657.pdf 

 

Go Paperless

Save the trees by using your computer or tablet for note-taking, opting for electronic receipts after a shopping trip or asking for electronic statements instead of getting them in the mail!

 

Shampoo Bars

Is it estimated that every year, 552 million bottles of shampoo end up in landfills. A very easy alternative is shampoo and conditioner bars. They are extremely practical for travelling, they take up minimal space, last for an average of 60 washes, and are incredible for the environment. Lush (https://www.lush.ca/en/hair/shampoo-bars/) has a great selection of shampoo bars.

 

Stat Source https://unwrappedlife.com/blogs/blog/end-plastic-pollution-for-earth-day 

 

Donate or Resell 

Do you have any clothes, furniture, or technology that are still in good shape but you no longer use? Try selling it on websites like Kijiji or eBay. Not only do you get rid of something that is taking up extra space, but you also earn some extra money! If selling is not for you, you can always donate to places like Value Village or Goodwill. That way, someone else can use these items instead of them perishing in landfills.

 

Darya is currently in her 3rd year of her double major in Psychology, and French. She has a passion for languages, she fluently speaks English, French, Russian, and Spanish. In her free time, she is volunteering with various student groups on campus, going to concerts, camping, travelling, and attempting to learn the ukulele. You can find her on Instagram at @daryareadykids.
Simi Bhangoo

U Alberta '21

Simi is a senior at the University of Alberta studying Sociology and Religious Studies. She grew up in Houston Texas and lives by the saying “go big or go home”. She is currently Her Campus Ualberta's Editor in Chief and Campus Correspondent. School, volunteering, clubs, and work occupy most of her time. You can find her on Instagram at @simi.bhangoo.