Making a Difference So as a poor

Making a Difference

So, as a “poor” college student, what can YOU do to help the environment? 1. Consume less (Reduce) • • Drive less / Use less energy Use less packaging / plastics / “disposables” 2. Reuse what you have (Reuse) 3. Recycle (Remember: Recycling is THIRD!) 4. Get involved politically, intellectually, involved socially and physically…but how?

1. Reduction

Western Europe, U. S. , Canada

What’s in a Landfill, anyway? http: //www. epa. gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/index. htm

What’s in a Landfill? • 27. 4% Paper and Paperboard • 14. 5% Food • 13. 5% Yard Waste But what • 12. 7% Plastic about the • 8. 9% Metals idea of no • 6. 3% Wood landfills? • 8. 7% Rubber, Leather, Textiles • 4. 6% Glass

Compost!!

No “disposables” / single-use items • Plastic Bags • Heavily / Individually Packaged ANYTHING! • Unnecessary / unwanted packaging • Fewer fossil fuels • “Buy local: ” But how does “buying local” reduce consumption?

Remember Econ 101: The greater the demand (consumption), the higher the price. In this case: the higher price of oil.

Sharing Resources • What kind of resources can I share? • • Ride a bus or train Carpool Bike Books Clothes Tools and machines Food (less packaging) And so much more!

2. Reusing

What can I reuse? • • • Cell Cords Computers Water Bottles and other Containers Silverware, Glassware, and Dishes Equipment and Tools Cars and Bikes Furniture Books Clothes and Toys And so much more!

This isn’t you at the end of the school year…right?

3. Recycling

Where can I recycle stuff? • Eau Claire County: http: //www. co. eauclaire. wi. us/departments-l-z/recycling-program/how-and -where-to-recycle-specific-items • Plastics: http: //www. plasticfilmrecycling. org • Computers (free!): http: //www. firstchoicerecycling. com/rates. html • Printer Ink: at Staples, Office Depot, many others • Light Bulbs: Home Depot • Nearly Everything: Savers (technology, shoes, shirts, etc. ) • And one mystery Item! http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=1 Call. W 5 kb 2 A

4. Get Involved

Remember, conservation and politics go hand-in-hand • And there’s a lot of misinformation out there… http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=_c 6 Hsiix. FS 8

Opportunities… • Progressive Students and Alumni (PSA): Organize public events including several of the extra credit opportunities for our class this semester. • Student Office of Sustainability (SOS): A political body of students, faculty, and staff that helps decides funding for green initiatives on campus. • Watershed Institute (on campus). It is a major / minor program and they have many environmental opportunities, field trips, research possibilities, etc. • Department of Geography and Anthropology: You can do an Environmental Geography major or minor! • And more!

In the end, what about conservation? • Why not engage in good conservation practices? • It’s in your interest to do so! • Healthier, cheaper, and better for every living thing on Earth

Remember your ecofootprint! • Don’t let “convenience” be your “excuse: ” what message does that send? • Drive less, exercise more! • Limit packaging, use fewer “disposables” • Do you really “need” that plastic bag that bottle of water? • Reuse, recycle, compost what you can