By Raymond Tran

Editor in Chief

Hot: Metal Straws

Reusable metal straws are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic ones. Being sold in various sizes, such as metal boba straws, these alternatives are sustainable, easy to clean, and affordable. Furthermore, metal straws are overall cheaper, only having to purchase one as opposed to a continuous cycle of buying and disposing of plastic straws.

Not: Plastic Straws

The world produces 335 million metric tons of plastic every year. Only a very small percentage of that gets recycled, with the rest either ending up in the ocean or piling up in landfills. Plastic can take 1000 years or more to degrade and decompose. Unlike the Earth, plastic straws are not getting any hotter.

Hot: LED lights

Using LED lights takes approximately 30 times less energy compared to incandescent light bulbs and last about 40 times longer. By switching to LED, energy consumption is greatly reduced as well as the need to change and purchase new bulbs. LED lights’ longevity and efficiency make it an effective choice to use as the light bulbs for any home. 

Not: Incandescent bulbs

Although this type of bulb is cheaper in comparison to LED lights, it will ultimately cost more as the need to replace them is significantly greater. Used in the early 1900s, incandescent light bulbs are a thing of the past as modern technology has created a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. 

Hot: Short showers

A shorter shower not only saves water but also saves on the energy used to heat that water. A typical showerhead will spray over five gallons per minute. Cutting out five minutes from a shower will save 25 gallons of water. By making showers shorter, it ensures the water supply will last longer.

WC: 53

Not: Half-hour long showers

Those who do nothing but sit and think in the shower for half an hour may experience a loss of their skin’s natural oils which can lead to eczema, or dry skin. Aside from impacts on an individual level, long showers emit 4.5 lbs of carbon dioxide for every ten minutes a shower is running.

Hot: Recycling

Although 75 percent of America’s waste, such as paper, plastic, and organic waste, is recyclable, only 30 percent is actually recycled. Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as it takes to burn it. This environmentally friendly option is simple, but its impact is effective. Recycling is hot, but not as hot as the Earth will be if it is not done. 

Not: Incorrect disposal of items

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 67 percent of recyclable material ended up in landfills in 2017. Disposing of items in the trashcan may seem convenient, but its effects take a toll on the planet. In 2013, 87.2 million tons of material were prevented from entering landfills through proper disposal of waste.