Every day is Earth Day, so every month can be earth month! (Written by BASSP student Carter J).
Happy Earth Month! 🌎💚 (Just a post for the last day of April!)
We hope you enjoyed the Spring weather and the Earth Month activities available on campus. Following in the spirit of Earth Month, we’d like to try and inspire you to incorporate at least one of these easy eco-friendly habits into your regular life choices.
Many people aspire to live greener, cleaner lives to mitigate the many ecological challenges we currently face today. However, figuring out where to begin can be daunting, and many suggestions provided on lists like this aren’t accessible for everyone. So we’ve compiled a short list of uncommon sustainable choices requiring little time, effort, or money. Each of these items are small, simple changes that you can make to help support the Earth, while also benefiting you.
Without further ado, here are 5 sustainable life choices that you won’t find on other lists:
1. Get thrifty 🛍️
Looking to spice up your wardrobe for Spring and Summer? Check out your local thrift stores!
Obtained from Instagram @heavydutyvintage, photo taken at Bon Voyage Vintage
Not only will you discover durable pieces with character that you won’t find anywhere else, but you’ll also likely snag them at budget-friendly prices. By choosing thrifted fashion, you’re making a conscious eco-friendly choice. You’re reducing textile waste and curbing the demand for new clothing production. This means fewer resources are used and less strain is put on our planet. Plus, when you opt for second-hand, it sends a clear message to clothing companies to produce only what’s truly wanted and needed, rather than overstocking on fast fashion.
Thrifting is a thrilling adventure of unpredictability – you never know what surprises you’ll find! Plus, we’re doing Free Markets of Thrifting on campus – we had 2 over the Earth Month events, and will be hosting more for Spring Fest and Dorms Move out. Come bring any spring cleaning donations to the LBA, or find one of the on campus bins!
2. Chaos gardening 🌱
Not all gardening has to be a high maintenance endeavor. Especially if you plant local species that are already adapted to live in the area without human assistance.
Obtained from iStock.
Chaos gardening and guerilla gardening techniques have been on the rise lately. The main idea behind these practices is to just throw some seeds somewhere that gets sun and water and wait to see what sprouts! You can try this for yourself by buying some seeds and just tossing them around in a barren patch of dirt or grass to see what magic happens. Just remember to prioritize native species to support local pollinators, biodiversity, and our ecosystems. Be doubly sure to steer clear of invasive pests like these Class A, B, and C noxious weeds!
3. Don’t wash that yet! 🧺
Hopefully, this doesn’t give you too much of an ick, because I’ll let you in on a little secret.
Obtained from iStock.
If your clothes don’t look, smell, or feel dirty, they’re still fine to wear! If you’re the type to toss a shirt into the laundry basket after wearing it just once, this tip is tailor-made for you. Instead of immediately washing your clothes, consider wearing them for an extra day or two before laundering. This simple change not only extends the lifespan of your garments but also conserves water and reduces detergent use in the long term.
Of course, some items like underwear, socks, and workout gear are best washed after each wear for hygiene reasons. Yet, certain items, like jeans, can easily go several days, and sometimes even weeks without needing a wash. Embrace the ‘wash as needed’ approach to keep your clothes looking fresh while saving time, water, and energy!
Bonus Tip: You can increase the lifespan of your clothes even more by washing them in cool water!
4. Carpool Commander 🚗
We’ve all been told to try carpooling, but that’s a lot easier said than done. It’s especially hard to even broach the topic when you have no idea where your colleagues live or what type of transportation they use regularly.
Obtained from @Tanxmir on Pinterest.
Well here’s a tip to help you take charge! You can start by setting up a carpool sign-up sheet for your coworkers and classmates. This simple initiative can serve as a catalyst for organizing carpools and fostering eco-friendly commuting habits. Just pop on to Google to find templates for these sign-up sheets and post one somewhere visible to make it convenient for everyone to participate! Even if you don’t find the perfect carpool partner right away, your efforts can still make a difference by reducing gas emissions and cutting costs for those around you.
Additionally, consider exploring alternative public transit options such as Vanpooling or Vansharing. These services offer additional flexibility and convenience for commuters seeking sustainable transportation solutions.
Furthermore, don’t overlook the wealth of online platforms dedicated to facilitating carpool coordination. These websites provide efficient tools for organizing rideshares and connecting with potential carpool partners.
5. Relax with your roots 🌲
The last item on our list is really quick and easy so you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO DO IT.
Obtained from iStock.
Now that we’re finally getting some warm weather, it’s the perfect time to get outside and experience the natural parts of the world. It doesn’t really matter what you do while you’re outside, just get out there and enjoy the sun (or the rain!), smell the flowers, and relax!
Doing homework in the grass, taking a nap, or reading books under a tree are all perfect activities to accompany a relaxing afternoon in the sun. You could also learn the names of your local rivers, creeks, or forests, or, you could try identifying a plant or animal that you’re curious about! You could even take pictures and post your favorites to Instagram, just make sure you tag us @sustainabilityatcascadia!
In the end, as long as you get some time outdoors, chances are you’ll experience a significant boost in your mental health.
Remember too, sustainability is for everyone! We hope you enjoyed these different ideas, and if you’d like to find a career pathway in this field, come check out our Bachelors of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices, and our new Water Resource Management AAS-T program!
Integrate It! 