April is Earth Month! This is the perfect opportunity to consider our relationship with the environment and what we can do as individuals to make the world a greener place. We may sometimes think, “I’m only one person—I can’t make a difference.” However, there are simple things every student can do to improve our campus, city and world.
Take Advantage of Public Transportation
Those of us who don’t have cars on campus may already be relying on public transportation or rideshare apps to get us where we need to go. However, as the weather gets warmer, there are even more sustainable ways to travel than hopping in an Uber. The Centro buses can take you almost anywhere you need to go around Syracuse, and if your destination is close enough, consider taking a Veo or walking.
Keep a Reusable Tote Bag With You
Many students around campus can be seen sporting tote bags, and for good reason. Not only are they stylish, but they’re also a great way to reduce plastic use. When you’re out shopping, especially grocery shopping, always carry a reusable bag with you to avoid having to receive plastic bags.
Go Thrifting When You Need New Clothes
Don’t rely on sketchy, unsustainable online stores when you need new, cheap clothes! There are great thrift and consignment stores around Syracuse where you can get great clothes at very affordable prices. My personal favorites are Cluttered Closet in Westcott and 3fifteen in Marshall Square Mall.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly
Did you know that a variety of organizations and services will take your furniture and food items at the end of the academic year? If you have food items, clothing or furniture that can be reused, it’s important to be mindful and donate them instead of contributing to landfill waste. Learn more about ways to donate on the Student Living website.
Be Mindful of Water Usage
An easy way to live more sustainably is to be mindful when using water. Simple things like turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and only running the washer and dishwasher when they’re full can make a big difference. Also, be aware of the times when you can use cold water instead of hot. Now that the weather is warming up, your showers don’t have to be scolding hot!
Written By Madison Manczko ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.