Green Living
See here some tips and tricks we'd like to share with you on how to be more eco-friendly and sustainable as an individual, at school or in the city of Shanghai. You'll see that a lot of these measures will also help you save money! Don't forget that sustainability not only includes the environment but also social and economic aspects :)
At School
Bring your own water bottle
Instead of using disposable paper cups when you drink water, bring your own. This way, you can drink as much as you want, wherever you want: no need to wait for breaks to satisfy your thirst!
Bring your own cup
For coffee and tea drinkers, you might consider the option of bringing your own cup for the cafeteria to fill it, instead of using a disposable cup. Don't forget that you'll get more coffee/tea for the same price! :)
Don't waste paper and print on both sides
It's easy to take paper for granted when it's free at school and we can get some whenever we want. But don't forget that your sheet of paper was made with a tree. Don't waste it.
Keep the
air con/ heating low
You shouldn't be cold in summer and hot in winter... When your teacher sets an extreme temperature in the classroom, ask him/her to set it more mildly or to turn the air con/heating off. When you get out of class, always turn it off behind you.
At Home
Reuse and Refuse plastic bags
Bring a reusable bag with you at all times to use it when you're shopping. It'll reduce the amount of plastic bags you get but don't need and therefore reduce your waste!
Use fabric napkins instead of disposable ones
You may have paper napkins at home that you throw away after a meal. But fabric napkins are much more economical! We usually all have those at home, maybe only waiting to be used.
Buy local and in season
Try to convince your parents to buy local. It means going to chinese wet markets instead of going to supermarkets for food (Carrefour...) Also, check the origin of the food you buy. It's best if they are made in the province! Quick tip: if the food isn't in season, it probably comes from far away or from energy-intensive greenhouses.
In the City
Bring your metal straw with you
You might love drink Coco bubble teas (or any drink with a straw, really) while you hang out with friends. What if you could use a metal straw instead of a disposable plastic one??
Bring your own cutlery to restaurants
Similarly, consider bringing chopsticks or a fork and knife with you. They are often wrapped in plastic packaging in chinese restaurants. You could avoid waste easily by doing this.
Online
Buy Local (again)
Products on Taobao or other online shopping websites come from many places in China. So when you're buying something, choose the location closest to you. There should be many choices of products made in Shanghai.
Don't shop impulsively
It's happened to everyone to want to buy one only thing online and to eventually buy 5 because, well, they were suggested to us and they're so great. Don't fall in the trap of over-consumption and keep a list next to you of what you really need to buy.