At AUIP, sustainability is really important to us, and it is a major theme of most of our programs. Many of our Student Marketing Interns come back inspired to make changes about the way they relate to the environment, so this Earth Day we are bringing you a list of tips for Going Green as suggested by them!
Cari Zbel, our Bobcats Down Under intern writes;
While in New Zealand I learned a lot about sustainability and preserving natural resources, but I have noticed that it is harder than I thought to be environmentally conscious in my daily life back home. Here are a few small things I’ve been doing that can make a big difference:
- RECYCLE: We all hate grown-up responsibilities like taking out the trash. To make this job easier try putting a recycling bin indoors and put all your recyclables in that container as you use them. Taking the time to recycle has a huge impact on the environment.
- UNPLUG: Cell phone chargers and laptop chargers use energy any time they are plugged in, even if you are not using them. Try unplugging your cellphone charger when you wake up, after your phone has been charging all night.
Shannon Mazurowski, our Hokies Abroad marketing intern writes;
After my experience abroad this summer I came back all fired up about sustainability. There was just one problem; I had no idea how to start integrating this into my life. So I turned to Google and found a few ways to start living a more sustainable life:
- REUSE: Start using reusable containers more consistently. This includes reusable mugs for your coffee, refilling your water bottle instead of using plastic, and bringing your own bags to the grocery store.
- LAUNDRY-POOL: Try to compile laundry with your family or flat-mates. No one needs a whole wash cycle to themselves every time and this is a great way to save water and electricity. As a bonus this will also save you money!
Sammie Klein, our Buckeyes Abroad marketing intern reflects;
After an exhilarating day of ziplining through the pine tree covered mountains in Queenstown, New Zealand, I reflected about the different lifestyle offered on the South Island. The ziplining company, Ziptrek, not only provided outdoor activity fun, but education in sustainability as well. In New Zealand sustainability was so normalized that by living in the country for a month I learned many valuable tips about sustainability:
- TOWEL DRY: Paper towels are unnecessary. Instead of paper, kitchens had washcloths, bathrooms used air-dryers, and people used handkerchiefs.
- TAKE YOUR TRASH: What you bring into the forest, you bring back out. Before entering any protected areas our guides reminded us that whatever we had in our backpacks we had to keep. It saved the park from needing trash cans and the infrastructure to dispose of the trash collected.
