Nowadays, awareness of the public about the issue of ecology seems to be on the rise, and the youth and students, in particular, seem to be the social group that is the most interested in improving the current situation. There are a lot of ways an individual can make their contribution: from switching to public transport or riding a bicycle to recycling. Besides being the most accessible, the latter may also be the most effective for college and university students in Britain. Every little step matters, so let’s go over how a student in the UK can help with paper recycling.
1. Why should you recycle paper?
It should come as no surprise that recycling, in general, is an effective way to save energy and natural resources, which affects the environment positively in the long run. In the UK, approximately 80% of paper waste is recycled each year. Obviously, it saves a lot of trees. Besides, it also cuts down on energy, oil, water, and land use and decreases greenhouse emissions dramatically. Considering how many printed assignments students hand in throughout the semester, it is obvious that their contribution would be effective.
2. Recycle high-grade paper
Whenever you use high-grade paper, whether it is in your classroom or at home, be sure to recycle it. Besides the fact that separate garbage bins are available for various types of waste, many campuses have bins for collecting and recycling paper. If your school does not have one yet, consider making a suggestion to a professor or school administration or start an eco initiative with your peers. You could also go online and check if a quality paper recycling service is available in your area.
3. Reduce your paper use
One of the best ways for college and university students to reduce their paper use is by submitting their assignments online and not in hard copies. Throughout the term, you will have to submit a lot of essay and coursework assignments in each of your classes, which means that you’ll have to use a lot of paper. You could help the environment by suggesting your professor that hard copies are not essential for grading your class performance. In case you need help with term paper, you can go online and find a writing service UK that provides its UK students with works of the highest quality.
4. Switch to recycled paper
We understand that recycled paper may be a bit more costly, and for many students, budgeting is an important issue. At the same time, we also believe that the majority of us can change their habits at least a little bit. Get a sketchbook that is made of recycled paper or, if you need to get a bag at the grocery store, opt for a recycled one. Essentially, such a change will not be critical to your routine, but it has the capacity to help the planet.
5. Reuse used paper
This quick tip is probably the easiest to follow for college and university students. If you take class notes on a piece of paper, make sure that you’re writing on both sides. If your professor demands that you submit a hard copy of your paper to class and hands it back out, use the back of it for writing whatever else you need to. Besides, you can use old notes to clean with them, line your refrigerator drawers, or pack.
- Know the basics
Paper recycling is generally an easy task, but there are also some things you should keep in mind. Not all paper is created equal, and to be able to recycle properly, you should know the difference. While the majority of what you use can be put in recycling, tissues, and any material that is greasy or oily can not be recycled. Be sure to check with the local recycling service to know what exactly goes into which bin.
At this age, it is incredibly easy to make your contribution to protecting the environment. Whether you recycle glass and metal or switch to energy-saving light bulbs at home, every little step matters. What else matters is being educated on the subject and doing your part, which is why we hope this article helps students from the UK and elsewhere in the world make conscious choices about paper use and recycling.