Did you know every plastic grocery bag takes 1,000 years to decompose, and "[i]f just 25% of American families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, it would save over 2.5 billion bags a year?" [source].

We read facts like these every day. We consciously think that we should remember them the next time we go grocery shopping, and then we forget. Most of us are guilty of this, let's be honest, so this week Botany major and advocate for waste-elimination Emmy Swift helped me compile a list of eco-friendly tips to demonstrate how simple a life with less waste can be:

1. Cook for yourself

As tempting as those Lean Cuisines and midnight burger runs may be, they can produce extra waste that simply isn’t necessary! Cooking for yourself with whole, fresh produce is cheaper, healthier, good for the environment and honestly, it tastes better too!

2. Carry a travel mug

Keeping a clean travel mug on hand at all times can replace the multiple throw away coffee cups you go through weekly. Think about it: if you stop for a coffee three mornings a week every week, that's 12 cups per month and 144 per year. This is just your own coffee consumption, not factoring in those who go through three, four or even five coffee cups in a week. Keeping a travel mug on hand is a simple way to eliminate this waste. Maybe it'll even encourage you to save your money from morning Starbucks runs and start brewing coffee at home!

3. Going to dinner? Bring Tupperware!

Not only can these be used for leftovers (that you made yourself with whole, fresh produce of course), but you can take them anywhere you go. Instead of asking for a box on date night, ask your waiter or waitress to put your leftovers in the container you brought. There you go, now you're eliminating waste and your food is more likely to stay fresh!

4. Try composting

The United States is currently wasting 40 percent of its food supply, which not only is an issue that affects our growing hunger rate, but also one that costs us an abundance of money and resources.

One thing we can do to eliminate food waste is compost. There are so many different kinds of odorless indoor compost systems on the market (some only $25) that can fit easily below your sink as a trash can would. The rich soil you get from composting is perfect for starting your own sustainable garden.

5. Inform yourself

In the words of Zero-Waste advocate Lauren Singer, evaluate and then transition. Ask yourself why you're living the lifestyle you're living, why you want to change it and how you're going to. It’s a lot easier to make a change when you’re morally driven to do so.