In recent memory, recycling has gone from a rarity to a cliché. Celebrities sport T-shirts that say things like “go green” and “green is the new black.” But, if green is the new black, then reusing is the new recycling in the fight to protect the environment. This is much more simple than it sounds.
Recycling, although extremely good and beneficial to the environment, still takes energy, time, space and money. So, instead of just recycling things, reuse them. Here are a few really simple ways to start reusing things in your everyday life:
How many times a week do you go out and order a coffee? Instead of wasting a cardboard cup that has a one time use life, bring your own reusable mug. Start carrying a thermos with you so that there is always one available when you find yourself in need of an emergency caffeine fix. Imagine all the cups you alone can save.
Besides the environmental advantage to having a reusable cup, businesses also offer you a perk. For example, on campus, Jazzman’s offers its patrons a monetary incentive, saving students 30 cents every time they bring their own cup to fill with coffee. You may be able to find this offer other places as well, but if it isn’t offered you may not save money, but you will be helping the environment.
After a day of errands, some of us come home, unpack all our plastic bags and throw them away. Instead, use these bags to line trash cans in your bathroom or under your desk, pick up dog poop or make a really big water balloon. These suggestions and more line the side of Target’s plastic bags.
Better yet, why not bring your own reusable bags with you to the grocery store? Then, you aren’t left with way too many useless plastic bags cluttering your kitchen. The DU Bookstore sells canvas bags perfect for stuffing with groceries, clothes or other errand essentials. Similar bags made for the same purpose can be found throughout Denver stores. From Forever 21 to local boutiques, everybody wants a piece of the rage for reuseable bags.
Stores such as King Soopers and Whole Foods offer their customers cash back for each bag used to fill with their groceries. The return ranges from about five to 10 cents back. It may not be much, but over a long period of time, this could add up. Plus, the environment will surely thank you for this seemingly simple act.
Try to avoid disposable goods, such as paper towels. Instead, invest in cloth towels. This will help keep your trash levels lower and also save you money, since this is a one-time buy.
These days, less and less objects need batteries. But, for those that do, use rechargeable batteries. Like many of the other suggestions, the initial cost may be a little bit more, but you will eventually save yourself money because these things only need to be bought once.
When I go out with my girlfriends for dinner, I’d say that most of us end up with a box of leftovers. Since you probably know even before you leave your room that you’ll have this box at the end of the night, why not bring some of your own Tupperware or other reusable container to stash the extra food at the end of the meal? Then, no styrofoam, plastic or paper container will be unnecessarily wasted with its one time use.
Today, we celebrate the environment with Earth Day, but we can continue this all year by reusing our plastic bags, cups and batteries. Just these few small acts can help reduce waste and retain energy in order to help our environment.
Just remember: reusing will help save the enviroment, help you save money and maybe even help you store up some good karma.
Hopefully, this will be one trend that won’t pass by as quickly as it has started. Hopefully, you will make a difference. Hopefully, you will go green and start to reuse things when you can.
