Free Things You Can Do to Save the Planet
You can be a friend to the environment in many cost-free ways. Here are some activities you can do that help the planet without costing you a dime:
Plant Trees while searching the web
As students during the current pandemic conditions, most of us spend our fair share of time online. One browser has found a way to make a difference using all of those internet searches. Ecosia is a free internet browser that has planted over 124 millions trees all over the world using the income generated by their search ads. The company even publishes monthly financial reports for complete transparency and is B Corporation certified. You can search the web free from worry with Ecosia as they do not sell your information to advertisers and have no third party web trackers. All you have to do is visit Ecosia.org, add the extension, and set the site as your primary browser.
Cancel junk mail
According to the University of Southern Indiana, the average American household sends 13,000 pieces of paper to the landfill every year and most of that trash comes from product packaging and junk mail. While the process of removing yourself from junk mailing lists is somewhat time intensive, the environmental impact is huge! Different online services help you opt out of receiving paper mailers. Typically, you choose the company you would like to unsubscribe from and enter in your information to request your removal from their database. Try compiling the junk mail you receive on a regular basis and then dedicate time to remove yourself from the recurring companies marketing to you. Here are some sites you can use to opt-out:
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/form
https://www.catalogchoice.org/catalog-choices/33935061/complete
Air dry your clothes
Laundry routines can have a big impact on your household carbon footprint. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 6% of an average home’s entire energy consumption is used to operate their dryer alone. Air drying is a simple way to cut down your energy use, save some money on electricity, and boost the lifespan of your wardrobe. Take advantage of good weather and put up a clothesline outside or use hangers indoors the next time you do a load of laundry.
Reuse what you have
Reusing is one of the most popular “R’s” of sustainability. Finding a new purpose for an item you already have not only saves you money but also saves that item from going to landfill. Get creative! Have any nearly empty jam jars in the fridge? Use them as drinking glasses or pen holders. Egg cartons are great for starting plant seedlings. Old t-shirts make wonderful cleaning rags. The possibilities are endless!
Volunteer
Giving your time is a great, free way to get involved in local environmental projects. San Diego is home to many different groups focused on improving the health of the planet and climate justice within the community. Student organizations at UCSD are a great place to find volunteer opportunities for fun activities like beach clean ups or farmer’s markets that promote environmental protection. Get connected and get involved!
Write to politicians and brands to ask for changes you want to see
When it comes to mitigating climate change, individual action is important but the climate crisis is being perpetuated by systemic factors and needs to be addressed by policy makers and polluting industries. Taking time to write to your local representatives to express concern for the effects of climate change in your community is a great way to amplify your voice and demand change. You can also reach out to brands to compliment sustainable changes you see in their practices to encourage more environmentally conscious action. While this does take time from your day, expressing interest to those responsible for large scale decision making such as local ordinances or plastic-free packaging tells those in power that people care and are invested in seeing a better, greener world.
Sources:
https://www.usi.edu/recycle/paper-recycling-facts/
https://www.nps.gov/articles/laundry.htm