Being eco-friendly seems mainstream. Yet, not enough people care about the environment enough to do something to change the situation.
To engage more students (and maybe even teachers) in the eco-movement, try using basic marketing principles. First, do some research and see whether your campus already has some activists or Greenpeace-resembling clubs. If there is no organized group supporting green initiatives, then flip the script and do the following steps:
- Define your target audiences and key supporters of the movement.
- See into their daily activities and routine.
- To attract the attention of the TA, come up with simple suggestions on how to make their lives greener.
- Use the options suggested below to spread awareness about sustainable living.
There are still many students and office workers who would like to do their bit in a sustainable environment but still do not know how to do it.
1. Be an Example
Before egging people on and promoting eco-friendly innovations, be a real-life example of such changes. Show them that taking care of our nature can be a part of daily routine just like waking up in the morning. Recycle trash, drink from reusable cups and choose a bicycle over a car – thus, you will make more people pay attention to environmental problems.
Remember that few students have enough free time to spare for various initiatives. To alleviate at least one bit of their troubles, give them a link to Essay Hub where they will get help with their essays and homework.
2. Eco-Events in Dorms
University campuses and dormitories have always been the best places for social activity. For instance, pro-ecology campaigns like trash sorting and recycling, using low-energy light bulbs in corridors, collecting bottle caps (to be recycled and used for making prosthetic limbs), and collecting glass jars for subsequent reuse – all these things can be done by students in their free time.
Besides, such events have a massive effect on the collective identity of the people. So, the campaign may grow and spread over the campus.
3. Arrange Eco Quests on The College Grounds
Most people like having fun. Various quests resembling Easter egg- or Scavenger Hunt but related to environmental protection may also raise students’ awareness of the most acute ecological problems.
The quest may offer the following activities:
- Collecting plastic bags all over the campus.
- Signing petitions for trash recycling (or something like that) against the clock.
- Planting trees or some flowers in the college garden.
There are multiple options, and the most engaging may include even inventing new ways to reuse, recycle, and create things people use while studying.
4. Do Not Neglect the Magic Powers of Merch
By “giving gifts” we mean offering students reusable bottles in exchange for plastic ones they have on them or giving bamboo cups in the canteen to students who buy coffee or tea to go. So, the illustrative list of sustainable and thought-provoking merch may look as follows:
- Cotton shopping bags;
- Reusable bottles;
- Solar-powered power-banks;
- T-shirts, hoodies, scarfs, and beanies made from recycled cotton;
- Reusable bamboo mugs.
This option asks for some financial support from local environmental enthusiasts or investors.
5. Create a College Podcasts
Podcasts become more and more popular, just like audiobooks. These information sources are accessible, free, or, at least, cheap and can always help pass the time. To make people see the problem, we need to talk about it. Use the following channels to reach out to your TA:
- Spotify;
- Google Podcasts;
- Apple Podcasts;
- YouTube channels.
Try telling people about ecology in a way that would grab their attention, give advice on how to be more sustainable every day. Yet, remember that people are more likely to take up new habits and ideas that take little time and energy to implement.
6. Launch Sharing Chats
Students usually know quite many people on campus and in dorms. So, one may create a common chat in WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, etc., where students may share or give away some stuff. For example, graduates may give away their books, some things from their dorm rooms, or other items. Otherwise, many things get thrown out when moving out, switching courses, or graduating.
Sharing chats may reduce the amount of waste and conserve the resources spent on manufacturing goods.
7. Write Articles on The College Social Media
To move away from old-fashioned and unecological printed magazines, many colleges have Facebook pages and e-journals where students can offer their articles for publication. So, use these amenities to raise awareness among peers.
Few people indeed read magazines today. Yet, all of them (except for a few rare specimens) scroll through social media many hours a day. Thus, media space is a perfect place to reach out to the masses and bring your ideas home to other students.
8. Talk to the Dean or Students’ Union
This option may look like the last resort, but it is one of the most efficient methods that may cause positive changes. For instance, thousands of notepads and old workbooks go to the trashcan by the end of the school year, while paper recycling can be turned into a profitable business. All these tons of paper can be recycled right on campus into new notepads and then given back or sold at a low price to students.
This option may be beneficial for the college as a positive advertising and a helping hand to the local eco-community. The Dean and other officials will be happy to help if there is little investment from the college budget and a good ROI.
Summing Up
While reading, you probably have come up with some more ideas on how to shift college life towards helping our nature. So, use the ideas from this article and your own ones to make the world a better place even if it narrows down to the campus territory.
Article Submitted By Community Writer