USF Nursing students happily holding reusable water bottles

As the Fall 2024 semester kicks off and students flock back to campus, it’s the perfect moment to pause and think about how we can all pitch in to create a more sustainable environment. Why should you care? Because every piece of waste we reduce contributes to a healthier planet and a brighter future for all of us. Reducing waste isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. So, let’s dive into five simple yet impactful ways you can make a difference at USF!

1. Bring Reusable Items

One of the easiest ways to make a big impact is to ditch single-use plastics and embrace reusables. Think water bottles, coffee mugs, tumblers, and shopping bags. Not only do they cut down on plastic waste, but they save you money over time—talk about a win-win!

According to Inspire Clean Energy, the world buys a staggering 1 million plastic bottles every minute—no kidding. But here’s a fun fact: by simply using a reusable water bottle, you could stop about 156 of those annoying plastic bottles from making their way into the ocean every year. Imagine yourself as the ocean’s personal bouncer, keeping the trash out! With 15 million tons of plastic already crashing the ocean party annually, it’s no surprise experts are worried that by 2050, we might be swimming with more plastic than fish. So, unless you want to start diving in a sea of bottles, it might be time to make the switch.

Quick Tip: Check out cool USF-branded reusable water bottles, tumblers, and mugs from the USF Bookstore online or on the first floor of the University Center.

2. Opt for Digital Notes and Assignments

In this modern age of technology, going digital is the current trend. Instead of taking notes on paper, why not use tools like Google Docs or OneNote? They make it really easy to organize your thoughts and collaborate with classmates. Plus, digital assignments mean less ink used in printing and more trees saved! 

Reducing paper use is one of the simplest ways to lower your carbon footprint on campus. Imagine if every college student in the U.S. switched to digital notes—we could save around 1.5 million tons of paper each year! That’s equivalent to saving 25 million trees—imagine all the forests we could protect! To put this into perspective, it takes about 24 trees to produce just 1 ton of paper. By going digital, we can keep those trees standing tall and thriving. Plus, the paper industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Who knew that reducing paper could be this impactful, right?

For more on the leafy benefits, check out the Environmental Paper Network. And if you want to dive deeper into the climate impact, head over to the World Resources Institute.

So, let’s make the switch and save some trees—because nobody wants to be the person who turns their campus into a paper jungle!

3. Participate in Campus Recycling Programs

USF has a solid recycling program that makes it easy for students to recycle paper, plastics, glass, and metals. Get familiar with the recycling bins generously scattered around campus, and ensure you are sorting your waste correctly. Remember, it takes just a little effort to ensure that your recyclables end up in the right place!

Additionally, don’t forget about those compost bins in dining areas and elsewhere on campus; they’re perfect for reducing food waste in landfill!

Tip: Visit sfrecycles.org to learn more about what can and can’t be recycled on campus and throughout San Francisco.

4. Minimize Food Waste

When dining on campus, aim to take only what you can eat to help cut down on food waste. If the portions are large, consider sharing meals with friends or bringing your own container for leftovers. For those cooking in dorms, planning meals in advance and using all parts of your ingredients can help prevent food from being thrown away as waste. And if you find yourself unable to finish your Sunday roast or over-ordering from your favorite takeaway, relax! Store, freeze, and reheat your delicious leftovers to enjoy another day.

Plus, don’t miss out on the Too Good To Go app, which connects you with restaurants offering excess food at a discount. I promise, this will leave your wallets smiling and the planet happier!

Fun Fact: You can find awesome tips for reducing food waste at the EPA and Love Food Hate Waste. They provide practical advice on meal planning, shopping, preparation, storage, and clever ways to use leftovers effectively!

5. Choose Sustainable Transportation

Waste reduction isn’t just about what we throw away; it’s also about how we get around. Embracing sustainable transportation options like walking, biking, or hopping on public transit can make a big difference on campus. With an abundance of Lyft’s Bay Wheels bike-share stations around campus, USF encourages cycling as a fun and healthy way to travel. Students can head to the USF Department of Public Safety’s Bicycling Information website for a discount off an annual plan, or consider using ride-share services to share a ride with friends, further reducing the number of cars on the road. 

Quick Tip: Check out the campus map for locations of bike racks and bike/ride-share pick-up/drop-off points, and embrace these sustainable options to contribute to a greener campus environment!

By adopting these simple habits, you can kick off your semester with a bang and foster an environmentally-conscious lifestyle. Remember, small changes can lead to significant impacts! Together, we can make USF a greener, more sustainable place for everyone. So, let’s rally together and truly Change the World From Here!