Consume Wisely!

As a college student, it can be difficult to consume sustainably, especially with limited resources and a limited bank account. Fortunately, there are easy and affordable ways to make sustainable choices! Shopping at thrift or second-hand stores is a great way to consume more sustainably. (And don't underestimate the benefits of just consuming less!) Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet is another option, as is a reliance on sustainability-oriented apps, websites, and guides. Kassie Christensen (C'24) researched these options as part of her Sustainability Major Capstone - and created this page to inspire her peers. 

The universe of "green" labels can be confusing. Phrases such as "natural" and "eco-friendly" are meaningless - and their use can signal an attempt at greenwashing, which is the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product. While not all green labels are attempts to mislead, they are not trustworthy as an indication of a product's sustainability pedigree. In contrast, an "eco-label" is owned or managed by a government agency, a nonprofit organization, or independent private sector expertise. These managers require environmental and/or social standards to be met in order to qualify for certification - and only products or companies that pass an audit are authorized to use the logo. 

What if the product does not feature a trusted eco-label? This checklist can help! If the product is not B Corp, Cradle-to-Cradle, or otherwise clearly authenticated by a criteria-driven audit (use the QR codes to check), then use Column A. If a product checks off two or more criteria from Column A, then the product can be considered sustainable. If the product does not meet any of these criteria or only meets one of the criteria in Column A, then it is safe to assume that the product may not be the most sustainable choice. When we purchase a product we are paying the company to continue doing what it's doing - so making sustainable choices supports companies that are leading the way to the future that we want to build. 

There are so many resources to aid in consuming more sustainably! Apps and shopping websites designed to inform our decision-making processes are easily found online ad/or through app stores. Some of my favorites are Think Dirty, EWG Healthy Living, CodeCheck, and Yuka. These allow you to scan products and they provide a score related to the product’s ingredient cleanliness. Apps like My Little Plastic Footprint help with tips and tricks to becoming more sustainable by choosing "greener" option for everyday items. Websites like EarthHero, thredUp, Depop, Etsy, and the Zero Waste Store are dedicated to the sale of sustainable items, and to helping to ensure that college students can feel good about their purchases without having to break the bank!