Education and Sustainability

Free Demonstration London photo and picture

Climate Action and College Homework: How Students Are Leading the Charge in Sustainability

With their futures at stake, university and college students are driving higher education leaders to strengthen the role of institutions in sustainability. Many of the 4 million people who took part in the September 2019 youth-led climate strikes are now college-age. A 2021 Deloitte survey also highlighted that climate change and environmental protection was the top priority for Gen Z.

Commitments to protecting the planet have now become essential for students, with 75% of students indicating that a college’s environmental commitment would influence their school choice, according to a survey by Princeton Review.

But it’s not just students leading the way. Climate action has become a global priority. At COP26, 137 countries agreed to reverse forest loss, and 190 countries committed to phasing out coal power. Addressing environmental sustainability places higher education institutions ahead of regulatory pressures, making this a critical issue for the future.

Implementing Sustainability in Higher Education

Many universities are committing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions and reducing energy consumption, moving away from fossil fuels. These efforts are crucial, but other areas of environmental sustainability—such as waste reduction—also deserve attention. Waste in landfills emits methane gas and toxic sludge, which harms wildlife and pollutes water supplies.

Higher learning institutions are often microcosms of cities, with restaurants, living quarters, offices, and clinics generating substantial waste. Statistics show that the average college student produces about 640 pounds of waste each year.

Institutions with more on-campus students create even more waste, particularly when students move out at the end of the year. Focusing on zero waste is key for campuses striving to reduce their environmental footprint.

What are Zero-Waste Campaigns?

A zero-waste campaign is a time-bound, measured effort with the objective of reducing waste contamination, increasing landfill recovery, or reducing waste generation. Unlike recycling campaigns, which focus on end-of-cycle waste management, zero waste initiatives also focus on reducing consumption across the entire lifecycle.

Recently, the National Wildlife Federation renamed its recycling contest to “Campus Race to Zero Waste,” signaling the shift towards waste reduction.

How Colleges Can Tackle Plastic, Food, and Paper Waste

If your institution hasn’t started a formal zero-waste initiative, there are still many actions that can be implemented right away. Below are a few tips for tackling three major waste culprits: plastic, food, and paper.

1. Plastic Waste

Plastic is notoriously harmful, taking up to 200 years to decompose in landfills. Marine life is also affected, often ingesting microplastics that lead to illness or death. Reducing plastic consumption on campus can mitigate its environmental impact.

Ways to reduce plastic waste on campus:

  • Phase out the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.
  • Provide students and faculty with refillable water bottles.
  • Install water refill stations and map their locations to encourage use.

2. Food Waste

College students waste an average of 142 pounds of food per year, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental impact extends beyond food itself, as energy, water, and land used to produce food are all wasted when it’s thrown away.

Ways to reduce food waste:

  • Improve food satisfaction to encourage less waste.
  • Implement tray-less cafeterias to reduce food intake.
  • Start a composting system for food waste on campus.

3. Paper Waste

Paper is more biodegradable than plastic but still poses environmental risks, especially when improperly recycled or when sourced unsustainably. Reducing paper waste is essential for sustainability.

Ways to reduce paper waste:

  • Replace desktop printers with shared network printers to reduce paper usage.
  • Distribute assignments digitally through email or Learning Management Systems (LMS).
  • Encourage the use of e-textbooks to cut down on paper and CO2 emissions.

Education and Sustainability: How Students Can Take Action

The future of sustainability lies in the hands of students, both on and off-campus. With their increasing awareness of environmental issues, students are actively shaping sustainability campaigns on campus. This push towards sustainable living can be supported by educational resources like those found at DoMyHomeworkABC.com, where students can connect with professionals to “do homework for me,” allowing them to focus on larger environmental challenges while still keeping up with academic responsibilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sustainability efforts in higher education are not just about reducing carbon footprints or increasing recycling programs. They are about students taking the lead, shaping policies, and leading grassroots efforts to preserve the planet for future generations.

As colleges and universities continue to focus on sustainability, it’s clear that students will remain at the forefront of the battle against climate change, ensuring that the campuses of today are more environmentally responsible for tomorrow.