Eight Ways You Can Help The Environment
Earth Day is for raising awareness of how we can be gentler on our environment. April 22 is dedicated to Earth Day — but you can act locally and think globally year-round.
Plant a Tree
Did you know in one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people? It doesn’t end there — trees provide oxygen, conserve energy and save water.
Use Reusable Bags
Reusable bags can save more than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals every year. The average American goes through six shopping bags per week and that adds up. A plastic bag can take from 15 to 1,000 years to break down depending on the environment. As an added bonus you can fit more into a reusable bag than a plastic one. Why go reusable?
Walk or Ride a Bike
Riding a bike or walking reduces air pollutants and shrinks greenhouse gas emissions. It conserves the roadways and reduces the need for new parking lots and roads.
Shop at a Local Farmers Market
Shopping at local farmer’s markets preserves small farmland where is might otherwise be used for industrial or commercial use. Moscow’s Farmer’s Market boasts locally grown products and many Vandal-owned startups — and has even helped create 20+ brick-and-mortar businesses in Moscow.
Buy a Reusable Water Bottle
Did you know that it takes more water to produce a plastic bottle than the amount put in that bottle for drinking? Plastic bottle manufacturing also releases 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Choose a reusable water bottle — personalization options are endless, but we’re partial to Vandal stickers.
Stop Using Plastic Straws
Invest in a reusable straw made from glass or stainless-steel and reduce your contribution to plastic in the landfills.
Recycle
Recycling reduces landfill waste, protects wildlife, preserves energy and natural resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, etc. Start recycling by joining Moscow’s recycling program to have your recyclables picked up curbside from your home.
Donate or Volunteer at U of I Student Sustainability Cooperative
U of I Student Sustainability Cooperative is a student-led and student-funded organization. Their mission is to make our university more sustainable and to reach climate neutrality by 2030. You can easily volunteer with them to meet new people, make an impact on the campus and in the community and build your resume.