With school back in full swing once again, we can often forget how simple it is to be relatively environmentally-friendly on campus. I think that many people want to contribute to the greater good of being environmentally-conscious, but they shy away for the fear of the price tag.

Sure, being super green has the potential to be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are super simple ways that college students can help save the environment for a very small cost that is definitely worth it in the end.

Many college campuses are very environmentally-conscious, you just have to pay attention and look around at all of the resources there are.

Here are a few tips to lead you towards being green:

1. Use a reusable water bottle

I’m sure that you’ve heard this all of your life, but it really does make an impact on the environment. Plastic water bottles are detrimental to the environment because they take up space and take hundreds of years to decompose. I recommend the “Swell” bottles, which are a bit of an initial investment but are totally worth it in the end. These things can keep your beverage cold or hot ALL DAY even if they sit directly in the sun or out in the cold, AND they come in a bunch of different patterns. You can buy one here.

2. Use a reusable coffee cup

As college students, many of us consume absurd amounts of caffeine without realizing how many different cups we actually use. Most coffee shops will fill up a reusable thermos if you hand one to them, and this cuts back on the waste of cups. Sure, many cups provided by coffee shops are recyclable, but you’re just better off using a reusable one. My favorite is from U Konserve, and it will keep anything cold or hot for hours, as well. You can buy one here.

3. Use glass dinnerware, not plastic plates

Washing dishes may not be fun, but the environment will thank you. You can do it.

4. Bring a reusable bag everywhere

Grocery shopping, clothes shopping, any kind of shopping. Plastic bags are TERRIBLE for the environment, and using a reusable bag is so easy. Don’t all of the pictures of sea creatures getting all tangled up in plastic bags bother you?? Almost every store will put your items into a bag that you provide, and some of them will even give you a discount for it. You can probably find tons of free reusable bags on campus if you just look around.

5. Take your notes online

This doesn’t work for everyone, including myself because most of my professors don’t want laptops out during class, but for most people, you can save a lot of paper that’s just going to be thrown out after finals by taking your notes online. You’re also more likely to keep track of a laptop or tablet than some notebook.

6. Bring a glass Tupperware when you go out to eat

Instead of getting some styrofoam to-go box for your leftovers that kills the environment, bring along a small glass Tupperware to store your leftover food. Styrofoam is terrible, and the glass container will keep your food fresher for longer.

7. RECYCLE!!!

It’s already so easy, and college campuses make it even easier! There are different bins for different types of waste that will contribute to keeping the environment clean, you just have to take the time to read the labels.