eco-friendly – The Western Howl

March 5, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

In today’s time, where convenience often takes precedence, the need for sustainable living has never been more urgent. With climate change, resource depletion and pollution on the rise, adopting a more sustainable lifestyle is a crucial step in helping protect our planet for future generations. Living sustainably doesn’t require a drastic overhaul of one’s life, small everyday changes can make a significant impact.

Embrace minimalism and reduce waste — One of the core principles of sustainable living is minimizing waste. In our consumer-driven society, it’s easy to accumulate items we don’t need, contributing to unnecessary waste. Buying less, choosing quality over quantity and thinking critically about our purchases is of the utmost importance. One should opt for reusable items over single-use products. This could be using a stainless-steel water bottle instead of plastic ones or using reusable bags instead of relying on plastic bags. A little effort can significantly cut down on the waste one produces and can make a big difference in the long run.

Support eco-friendly products and brands — Sustainability extends to the products one buys too. As consumers, we have the power to influence companies by choosing to support those that prioritize the environment. Look for items made from sustainable materials like bamboo, organic cotton or recycled products. This also includes choosing brands that are committed to ethical production practices, reducing their carbon footprint and using eco-friendly packaging. Additionally, buying from local sources, such as farmers markets, can help to reduce the environmental impact by minimizing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation.

Energy efficiency at home — One’s home is one of the easiest places to implement sustainability practices. Simple changes can be switching to LED bulbs, unplugging devices when they are not in use and keeping the lights off during the day.

Adopting sustainable eating habits — The food choices we make have a profound effect on the planet. Agriculture, particularly the meat industry, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and water pollution. A way to reduce one’s environmental impact is by incorporating more plant-based meals. This doesn’t mean fully becoming vegetarian or vegan, but reducing one’s consumption of meat and dairy can be helpful in living more sustainably. It is also heart healthy. Supporting sustainable farming practices is another way to make one’s food choices more eco-friendly. Look for certifications like organic, fair trade and pasture-raised, which indicate more environmentally responsible practices.

Transportation: walk, bike and carpool — Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. With such a small campus, walking or biking whenever possible is better for both the environment and for one’s physical health. When driving is necessary, consider carpooling or using public transit. Reducing the number of vehicles on the road helps cut down on air pollution and reduces traffic congestion.

Sustainable living doesn’t require radical changes, but it does require mindfulness. A willingness to make small adjustments has a collectively large impact. It is important to keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different. Some barriers to living sustainably include cost considerations, convenience, misinformation and time constraints. Any step, no matter how small, has the potential for a huge impact on the planet and the animals that occupy its space. The average person does not produce the majority of pollution and harm the environment, but, unfortunately, the responsibility falls on us.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home »

Tips for increasing sustainability

How sustainability can also be convenient for students

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Single use plastics and unnecessary packaging are creating huge problems for our planet. Humans are creating more trash than ever and polluting more than the world can handle. While it may seem like too big of a problem at this point to make a difference as an individual, even one small choice can lead to a cleaner, greener future.

As a student, especially one who lives a busy lifestyle, it can be difficult to figure out ways to make sustainable choices. Most of the choices made as students focus on convenience over sustainability. Here are some simple changes that can be implemented in life in an effort to finally put the earth first.

Use a reusable water bottle. A reusable water bottle can cost more than expected, but it will be worth it when the use of plastic water bottles is eventually eliminated. It also has the benefit of keeping water cold all day if one of the higher end brands, like Hydro Flask or Yeti, is used.

Skip the chips and grab fruit. Making the choice to choose fruit or vegetables over a packaged good has the benefit of reducing waste and encouraging healthier eating habits. Students tend to grab packaged food for convenience, but apples, bananas and oranges have their own natural packaging.

Bring a tote bag to the store. A tote bag is perfect for grocery shopping, carrying books and everyday use because they usually come in a large range of sizes and are easy to carry. This easy change eliminates the hoarding of plastic bags that almost every household partakes in.

Brew coffee at home. Going to a local coffee stand is a nice way to treat yourself every once in a while, but doing that every day can become a problem for the earth and the bank. By making coffee at home, single use plastic cups will be used less, and it will be cheaper for a student who is trying to save money.

Walk to class. It’s tempting to drive to class when it’s raining, but unless home is more than a few blocks away, don’t drive to campus. The time saved is usually only around three minutes and over time the pollution outweighs those three minutes. It also is barely affordable to drive everywhere with the way the price of gas has risen in the past couple of months.

Utilize what you already have. People tend to collect things over time and forget they own them. This leads to the purchasing of unnecessary items when something you already own could do the job. The most sustainable things are the items you already own.

The Western Howl

Home »

These tips prove it is easy being green

Ways to be more earth friendly this Earth Day

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

This Earth Day, let’s all take some time to consider what impact we are having on our environment and how we can ensure its protection for future generations. Though changing small things in one’s daily routine may seem meager, they certainly can add up. Try out a few of these tips for a more eco-friendly lifestyle, even if it’s just in the spirit of Earth Day; it may become clear that a more environmentally conscious lifestyle is more attainable than once thought.

Use less plastic — from straws, to utensils and coffee cups, to grocery bags, to water bottles, single use plastics permeate all areas of our lives. Go for reusable products instead; invest in bamboo or metal straws, tote and produce bags, reusable water bottles and travel mugs. When ordering takeout, ask for no plastic cutlery. Skip to-go cups from coffee shops and simply make a pot at home.

When it comes to food, the meat industry causes a massive detriment to the environment, driving deforestation, decreasing biodiversity and accounting for nearly almost 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. If going vegetarian or vegan is daunting, try participating in Meatless Mondays, or cook up one vegan recipe per week. Pasta dishes, tacos and rice based recipes can all be easy dinners to make without animal products in them. Shop local, such as at farmers markets, for an extra tasty and even more environmentally conscious meal.

As for food waste, start a compost pile. Toss leftover foods into a five- or ten-gallon compost bin instead of a trash bin. Even if there’s no backyard, indoor plants could still benefit from some nutrient rich soil. Depending on what method of composting is chosen — either aerobic, anaerobic or vermicomposting — results can be finished in as little as two weeks.

At home, there are a number of eco-friendly strategies that can be implemented. Take shorter showers, even if it’s only by a couple of minutes, to conserve water. Do laundry only when necessary using cold water, and turn down the heat on the dryer while using reusable dryer balls instead of dryer sheets — or simply hang dry clothes. Also unplug appliances and electronics when no one is going to be using them for a while.

As the days warm up, adjust the thermostat just a couple degrees warmer, instead relying on fans and open windows as much as possible. If the house gets too hot inside, try drawing window shades and turning on ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction to pull the heat upwards. At night, turn the thermostat off or program it to only come on at exceptionally low or high temperatures.

One of many great things about living in a digital age is that it can cut out reliance on paper significantly. Look for e-book versions of textbooks — which can also be the cheaper option in some cases. If bills or checks are received in a paper form, see if paperless service can be opted into. As for online shopping, be sure to choose stores that ship packages sustainably, in minimal packaging and with little plastic or plastic-free materials.

For many, driving is the easiest way to get around, but for those who live in town, it is possible to bike or walk to some locations. Experiment on one sunny day with only walking to local errands, or try getting the hang of public transit. Carpooling with coworkers and friends can also curb greenhouse gas emissions, but continue to be mindful of COVID-19 health guidelines.

As individuals, the best thing we can do for the environment is to keep our carbon footprint in check. A carbon footprint is a measurement of our personal greenhouse gas production. Many of the provided tips will help reduce our carbon footprints, even if it’s only slightly. A carbon footprint calculator can be found at conservation.org, along with even more tips for decreasing personal impact.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

The Western Howl

Home »

Get enthusiastic about recycling plastic

A simple guide to recycling the seven kinds of plastic

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Not all plastics are created equal, and which material they are made of determines whether and how they can be recycled. Learn more about the seven types of plastic — identified by the number inside a triangle of arrows on the bottom or back of products — and become a plastic recycling pro.

No. 1 PET or PETE: Commonly found in food containers such as bottles and jars, polyethylene terephthalate is recyclable with curbside recycling services. Avoid reusing such containers as the plastic is known to absorb bacteria.

No. 2 HDPE: High-density polyethylene is used to make cleaning product bottles, milk jugs and shampoo bottles, to name a few. Their sturdiness allows them to be reused, or they can be easily recycled curbside.

No. 3 PVC: A more flexible plastic, polyvinyl chloride is commonly found in household materials like piping and window siding, along with toys, cooking oil containers and food wrapping. PVC generally cannot be recycled, so avoid using it, or reuse it with caution as it contains toxins that should not be consumed.

No. 4 LDPE: Low-density polyethylene is the stuff plastic grocery bags, bread bags and six pack rings are made of. They tend to only be recyclable at certain drop off locations, such as a local store, but LDPE bags can also be reused for a while.

No. 5 PP: Straws, medicine containers, bottle caps, single-use cutlery and some food containers and bottles such as yogurt cups are made of polypropylene. Contact local recycling services to see if they accept no. 5 plastic in curbside bins.

No. 6 PS: More commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is the plastic that makes up single-use food containers, takeout drinking cups and packing insulation. Many recycling services will not accept no. 6 plastics, so avoid using them when possible.

No. 7 Other: This category encapsulates any plastic not labeled above, including nylon, acrylic and combinations of different plastics. Their use should be avoided since it can be unclear what exactly is in them, and they usually are not accepted through curbside recycling services.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility Public Records Privacy Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

Sustainable living

Tips for increasing sustainability

These tips prove it is easy being green

Get enthusiastic about recycling plastic

Tools

Resources