10 Tips for a Sustainable Summer

Reduce Plastic Waste

Plastic waste is extremely harmful to the environment and only a fraction of plastic used in our products is recycled. This leads to the build of plastic waste in our landfills, rivers, oceans, and communities leading to a plethora of environmental problems.

One easy way to reduce plastic waste? Use a reusable water bottle on hot summer days. About seven out of every 10 plastic beverage bottles purchased end up either incinerated, releasing harmful chemicals into our atmosphere, or in landfills or littered in our communities. On campus this summer? UNO has 36 water filling stations to help you easily get your refill.

Start Composting

Composting turns your food scraps, yard waste, and compostable materials into nourishment for our soils. By introducing composting to your household waste routine, you can divert up to 30% of the trash going to the landfill. Students are eligible for unlimited compost drop offs with Hillside Solutions for only $4.50 a month! Learn more.

The nearest drop off location is at Exist Green, only a 10 minute bike ride from campus. You can also build your own composting system at home.

Commit to Less Driving

As more vehicles make it back onto the road this summer, take the opportunity to look for other modes of transportation to get where you need to go. Switching your mode of transportation for just one of your weekly trips can have significant impacts including reducing your carbon emissions, reducing the cost of gas, boosting a healthy lifestyle, and reducing traffic on our roads, which increases public safety. There are several programs at UNO and community partners that make it easy and convenient to get around Omaha.

Buy Used

Buying used items reduces overall expense and your carbon footprint since no new materials or energy were used to produce the product. Buying used products also reduces the amount of waste going to our landfills. The fashion industry, particularly “fast fashion” produced quickly in developing countries, is the second largest polluter globally and the third largest contributor to microplastics in our oceans. By purchasing used clothing, you help reduce this impact.

Buy Locally-Sourced Food

Farming and agriculture are the biggest industries here in Nebraska, which makes buying local food easy and abundant. Omaha’s Farmer’s Market runs every weekend from May-October, and is located at Baxter Arena on Sundays this year. For information on where to buy locally year-round, check out the Nebraska Food Cooperative or read this article by NP Dodge.

Reduce the Chemicals Used in Your Home

Many chemicals found in home cleaning products are toxic for both you and the environment. Eco-friendly alternatives can be found in your local grocery stores. Check out this list of possible options.

Consume Consciously

Before each purchase, consider the necessity of your purchase. Are you able to use something you already have at home? Is there an option to find it secondhand? Can you borrow from a friend or family member? Is there a more environmentally friendly option? Do you truly need the item? You may also consider what you will do with the item after you have used it. Can it be reused for another purpose? Can you donate it? Will someone you know need it after you are done? Can you upcycle it? Use it in an art piece? Can it be recycled? By asking yourself these questions and being a more conscious consumer, you will reduce your overall consumption, reuse more of your items, and recycle smarter.

Stay Informed

Commit to watching a documentary or reading a book on sustainability each month this summer. Join organizations and online groups commited to sustainability. Seek out blogs on environmental topics. Sustainability resources can be found on the UNO library website. You can also follow UNO’s Office of Sustainability on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter for more information about sustainability at UNO.

Use Environmentally Friendly Personal Care Products

Look for labels that say all-natural, cruelty-free, not tested on animals, and/or vegan. Many products can be found online, or locally at Exist Green in Dundee.

Join the SustainUNO Student Organization

Are you a student looking to get involved in helping improve campus sustainability? SustainUNO (or SUNO) is an action-oriented student organization focused on improving sustainability practices on campus and educating their peers about sustainability problems and solutions. Use the Presence student engagement portal to learn more.