Reduce, Reuse and Recycle like a Sustainable Buff

Reduce, reuse and recycle have been ingrained into our heads since we were kids. One of my favorite CDs as a kid was Jack Johnson’s Curious George, which featured this song and is probably the first time I heard of the three Rs. To this day, the song still gets stuck in my head. 

Reducing, reusing and recycling can be pretty easy. The most challenging part, in my opinion, is just being mindful of the products we use every day. 

Reducing, for example, may seem hard. Like many people our age, I love to shop and spend money. However, I try to buy things that I know I can use for a long time, rather than cheaper items that might not last as long. I also try to think about what I am buying and whether I really need it. Less consumption means less will end up in a landfill. 

As for reusing, this is super easy! I have started to pay attention to things that I throw out a lot, like paper towels or snack bags. I realized that there were reusable alternatives to these items and invested in some. I saw a video of people cutting up old towels and pillowcases and decided to follow suit. I used these squares and some reusable kitchen towels, and now I only buy small packages of paper towels for the really gross stuff. 

As for snack bags, I went to Target and bought some of their reusable ones. They’re more expensive than the Ziploc kind, but I won’t have to buy another set for a much longer period of time. 

Recycling took me a while to get used to. Recycle bins weren’t very accessible to me before moving to Boulder, but now I do my best to recycle everything I can. I recommend checking out this guide to ensure you recycle things properly. Plastics are labeled with different numbers, which can be confusing. Keep in mind, every city has different guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled, so make sure you stay informed! 

If you’re passionate about recycling or want to be more involved, CU’s Environmental Center has opportunities to volunteer. Get involved with Ralphie's Green Stampede, which helps make Buffs sporting events zero waste, or help with move out.