Personal Experience- Environmental Impact by Kara Morton

s0406303_1 — 2024-10-10 20:24:43 UTC

Walking to work every Wednesday with my work team helps reduce carbon emissions by cutting down on car use. This not only benefits the environment but also encourages teamwork and healthier habits. By doing this together, we hope to inspire others to choose more sustainable ways to commute, making a positive impact on our workplace and the planet. (Last year we had these awesome Team Voyager t-shirts made from post-consumer plastic bottles and reclaimed cotton!)

Reusable Straws/Tumblers

2024-10-11 00:09:24 UTC

To do my share, I always (almost always) bring reusable straws when I go grab a coffee or soda. I find this is a small difference in my day, but all those straws add up! I know it might seem silly since Im drinking out of a plastic cup, but I do try and remember a reusable cup when I can. I think a small difference is better than no difference. (I do always recycle the cups as well) Also, I am a huge water drinker, so I make sure to refill my Stanley instead of using countless plastic bottles a day. At my house, we are big recyclers. We always make sure to rinse our glass containers, break apart cardboard, and toss our junk mail right into the recycling bin instead of in the trash. This is a practice that am always thinking about whenever I go to throw something away. - Alia Matthias

Washing out milk cartons/ Taking off bottle caps

2024-10-11 13:59:29 UTC

Every time I finish a gallon of milk, I always wash out the bottle. I do the same thing for any contaminated container. Most people don't know that you need to take off the top of a bottle actually to recycle it. This is very important because if you do not do this then it will ruin the whole container of recycled goods. I think it is really important to be aware of what kind of things we are putting into this world and be mindful of our own impact. It is important to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Eating out of reusable containers

hswiftc1989 — 2024-10-12 17:53:53 UTC

I live on campus and instead of eating in the dining hall, I tend to eat in my dorm room. i like to do my homework or watch tv while I eat because it relaxes me.

Reusable Bags

2024-10-13 16:06:35 UTC

A small way that I reduce my environmental impact is to use fabric tote bags for grocery shopping. This allows for me to not have to obtain and throw away plastic bags that aren't as easy to re-use as a fabric bag. I think that although it is a small step, anything that you can do to help is important. I think it's also beneficial because it is not an extremely difficult or hard switch to make, but it is something that can do good for the environment.

Clothing

2024-10-14 01:36:22 UTC

A way I reduce my environmental impact is by supporting sustainable fashion and reducing clothing waste. Instead of frequently buying new clothes, I prioritize second-hand shopping, swapping clothes with friends, or repairing items I already own. Whenever I find I’m not wearing an item often, I donate them so someone can use that item instead! I also choose to buy from eco-friendly brands that focus on sustainable production, use organic or recycled materials, and implement ethical labor practices. By extending the life of my clothes and avoiding fast fashion, I help reduce the demand for new textile production, which can be resource-intensive and contribute to pollution. This approach lowers waste and minimizes the overall carbon footprint associated with clothing.

2024-10-14 20:38:28 UTC

Since coming to SSU this September, I have been walking to and from class and not taking the shuttle unless its urgent and I do not have my car until next semester. I have been enjoying going on walks with my friends and seeing the beauty of our planet.

Reusable Bags.

2024-10-15 05:47:10 UTC

When I go grocery shopping. I tend to use reusable bags instead of paper or plastic bags.

2024-10-15 15:30:49 UTC

Ever since coming to school and having my own kitchen, my roommates and I have been using a superset trash can for recycling. Whether it really goes to recycling who knows but we always try to do our part in separating things. I have also been using reusable bags from market basket so I am not compiling plastic and paper bags.

Reusable bags at the grocery store

2024-10-15 17:35:25 UTC

I do my best to ALWAYS have resuable bags at the grocery store because using the paper over and over again is so wasteful! Often times because I shop for six people living in my home we have a lot of waste when we have so many groceries bags coming in weekly or even bi weekly. If by chance we happen to use paper because we forgot, we always recycle them or reuse them in some way so they never go to waste!

Checking any items

keidybamaca9 — 2024-10-15 21:32:46 UTC

I remember when my little brother brought a hw that had to do with trash and recycling. One of the reminders was to check the cups or like a cereal box to see a recycling sign. Ever, since I always recycle or throw it in the trash. If I am inside the house I will check to see the sign. Then I will rinse it, so there isn't any fluid because then the recycling bin is wet and smelly.

At work there is only a trash can that is provided. All kind of materials are going into the trash like paper, cardboard and gallons. These items are not being recycled and affect the environment.

I would say growing up I have seen my mom reuse water bottles filling it with water to drink from a gallon. As well as using a card box to plant and place it next to a window.

Recycling and Reusing

2024-10-15 22:27:11 UTC

As I mentioned in my first Padlet Post I talked about how I recycle cans. I also use egg cartons when I paint to repurpose them, not to create unnecessary waste. Recycling cans "helps to conserve non-renewable fossil fuels, reduce the consumption of energy and the emission of gasses like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere." I also like to get the 5-cent return on the cans. Doesn't hurt as a side hustle to make some pocket change, especially as a college student.

Reusable Bags!

2024-10-15 22:49:20 UTC

I always keep reusable bags in the car, so when I go grocery shopping I don't have to use plastic bags.

Think Globally, Shop Locally!

2024-10-15 23:49:09 UTC

I am a big supporter of farmers' markets! For one, shopping from local producers lowers "food miles", or the amount of emissions released based on the distance the food needs to travel. For example, most corn in the U.S. is exported from midwestern states like Iowa, which is about 1,300 miles away from MA. By buying corn grown in MA, I am lowering my own consumer carbon footprint. By shopping at the farmers market I am using my power of consumer choice to support organic practices that don't use harmful pesticides that poison our water sources. I also support biodiversity in produce, which is important for the environment in case of a disturbance (e.g. parasite, fungus).

Composting

libbyjmenn — 2024-10-16 16:18:16 UTC

Libby Menniges-At home my family composts. This is a great way to avoid wasting foods by adding them to the compost which then creates great soil to reuse in our garden.

I use Plastic utensils

2024-10-18 05:07:33 UTC

When I eat, I tend to have been using plastic utensils, I have found this to be way better as I can dispose of it way better and I believe it's better for the environment and I am all for making the environment better!

-Tay Emerson

Recycle/ reusable water tumblers

2024-10-18 16:07:18 UTC

I recycle almost everyday since my apartment building requires for us to put in our recyclable items into this blue bin.However I also enjoy it since I am able to tech my son about the importance of doing our part to keep our earth to last for generations that come. As well as hoping to keep our planet beautiful. I also use my Stanley's for everything and drink water from them everyday. I carry my Stanley's everywhere. Since I've gotten older I have been more conscious of my environment.

Reusable water bottle/walking

2024-10-22 21:10:57 UTC

I love walking and I think it's good exercise as well as being good for my mental health but I know it's also good for the environment instead of driving somewhere. I try to walk most places when I can to reduce the use of gas during the school year. I also use a reusable metal water bottle instead of plastic ones to limit the plastic waste I create. And on campus we have reusable containers to take food from the dining hall instead of one use plastic containers which helps us as a school and me as an individual to help limit the use of plastic.

-Jillian Park-Paige

Magdalena's Post

magdapolska77 — 2024-10-23 20:00:41 UTC

Environmental justice is important to me because everyone deserves access to clean air, water, and safe living conditions, regardless of their background or income. I think we need more people to actively support and invest in providing these basic needs for communities that are often overlooked or marginalized. It's not just about fixing big global problems—it's about making sure everyone has the essentials. Personally, I try to do my part by reusing plastic bags after grocery shopping, whether it's for small trash liners or carrying other items. I also recycle cardboard and plastic whenever I can. These small actions may seem small, but I think that if more people took simple steps like this, our impact could make a difference for the environment.

I do my best to minimize my environmental impact through a few daily habits. For example, I always reuse plastic bags, especially for things like lining the trash can I keep in my dorm. When shopping, I try to use reusable bags whenever possible. I also avoid plastic water bottles by using a reusable water bottle and utilize the reusable containers on campus to take food to go. Small things like these really can add up and make a difference in protecting our planet.

2024-12-15 23:01:24 UTC