If your trash can is overflowing with plastic products, taking out the garbage creates a way bigger problem.
If you attended elementary school, use trash cans and/or have been alive on this planet, you’ve heard the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle.” And at least to some extent, you probably follow it.
After huge movements to encourage recycling, most people know to separate their cardboard out and throw it in the correct receptacle. Dorm residents know not to take hour-long showers, and at least here on campus, students typically walk instead of drive.
But the whole “reuse” aspect is a little harder to grasp. Isn’t that kind of gross? Well, the good news is you don’t have to collect rainwater or anything extreme to play your part.
For a start, drinking water is one of our biggest, and perhaps most vital, necessities. We may not live in California, but we still have an issue concerning bottled water. It’s unnecessary.
I see people dragging huge containers of bottled water into their rooms at least once a week. This is in residential halls with individual sinks in each room. That’s a whole lot of waste that could have been prevented with the free water bottles handed out to freshmen during Welcome Weekend.
Proponents of plastic water bottles may argue that they're cleaner, they taste better and people recycle them anyway, but that’s not the truth.
Ban the Bottle states that 24 percent of all bottled water sold is either Aquafina or Dasani brand, owned by Pepsi and Coke, respectively. Both companies sell purified, municipal water, just like the kind that comes out of your tap.
On top of that, the New York Times reported that “there is no reason to believe that bottled water is safer than tap water.”
If you’re really concerned about the taste coming from water fountains and taps, a Brita Water Filtration Slim Pitcher costs $10.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. How much are you shelling out a semester for your so-called Smart Water?
Oh, and about recycling. According to The Water Project, only water bottles made with polyethylene terephthalate can be recycled, which means that 4 out of 5 bottles end up in the landfill. Considering that they take 1,000 years to decompose, the 2 million tons of them we have now is pretty impactful.
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Water bottles aren’t the only thing that can be reused, either. Stocking up on plastic utensils, plates and cups for your dorm room is time-consuming, costly and creates unnecessary trash, both for your can and your community.
I’m definitely guilty of that one, so I’m planning to grab some actual silverware next time I’m home for the holidays.
It can take a little more effort, but reusing materials really is a great way to do your part. And the number one upside for broke college students is that it usually ends up saving us money. Rechargeable batteries are a great addition for your room if you have a lot of battery-powered gadgets. If you’re a Starbucks addict, bring your own mug or thermos and you get 10 cents off your purchase (hey, it adds up).
And of course, kick those plastic water bottles to the curb.
Kat Tenbarge is a freshman majoring in journalism and environmental studies. What environmental issues do you think demand attention? Email her at kt154714@ohio.edu or tweet her @katsappho.
