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Sustainability Blog

10 Ways to Reduce Waste with Friends

November 6, 2017 by

After living with people for months, we begin to pick up on habits. Some of us may have taken up those habits as well! In this article, we’ll focus on how we can change our habits to be more sustainable with the help of others. Read on to find out how simple changes in your eating and shopping habits can benefit you, those living in your hall, and the planet! Here are 10 ways you can reduce waste with your friends!

1.) Create shopping lists together

Have you noticed that you and your roommate buy a lot of the same things? Sit down and list those things so you can buy them in bulk! It’ll save you time and money in the future. And make sure you stick to that list!

2.) Buy groceries together

If you’re not one for making lists, then maybe going to the grocery store together will benefit you! Keep each other in check and make sure you’re not buying too much. It’s a great bonding experience!

3.)Make sure everything is being used

 

Have you noticed untouched food nearing its expiration date? Share it! If your roommate doesn’t want it, ask around your hall or friend group to see if anyone else would eat this food. A popular way to figure out how much you’re using is keeping a list of how much you use out of things you buy. This helps prioritize the things you shop for. Don’t waste! Do your part!

4.) Explore local shops together

Buying local has a lot of benefits. Not only does it help your community, it’s also more organic. Explore these places with your roommate and people from your hall! You never know, you may find a new favorite place to shop!

5.) Motivate each other to eat healthy

While you’re buying groceries, try to stick around the healthy foods. I personally try to avoid the snack isles at all costs and stick to fruits and vegetables. Sometimes taking someone with to tell me I don’t need unhealthy food is exactly what I need! Be a motivator!  

6.) Grow your food

If you live off campus, you can easily start growing your food. If you don’t have the space, then just simply growing your spices could benefit you!

7.) Turn it into a competition

Who’s the most sustainable person in your hall? Put that question to the test and keep track of what you buy and eat! The less packaging the better, and the less you throw away the more points you could earn. Bonus points for buying local and using reusable shopping bags!

8.) Host a cooking night for your floor

This time of year, something everyone may miss is a home cooked meal. As stated in number three, if you notice food nearing the expiration date, share it! Have all of the people on your floor put together their food as well, and make one big meal!

9.) Invite friends over for dinner

If you live off campus and don’t know the people on your floor as well, invite friends over! If you live in a different town as your friends, then take turns using up all the ingredients that would otherwise go to waste! It’s a great way to catch up and maybe even learn a little more about each other.

10.) Become Green Room certified

Go the extra mile and win prizes in the process! By certifying your room as green, you are actively creating a brighter future for the campus and world! Becoming Green Room certified is easy and free. Check out some of the requirements and sign up here!

Filed Under: Food, Waste Tagged With: Environment, Food, List, Sustainability, Tip tuesday, Waste

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What is Sustainability?

Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
There are three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic.

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