URI’s campus sustainability officer, Marsha Garcia, shares tips for living more sustainably. Most are simple, and the upshot—they just might make you happier and healthier.

Ban disposables, especially plastic.

Embrace reusable everything—straws, bags, utensils, coffee pods, cups. More than 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Don’t add to the collection.

Produce less waste, and divert it from the landfill.

Landfills are finite spaces, and they are running out of room. Compost, reuse, buy in bulk, and reduce consumption. If you have less stuff, less stuff ends up in landfills.

Buy responsibly.

Curb unnecessary shopping. When you shop, choose organic foods, grown without pesticides; locally grown foods, to support the local economy and minimize transport emissions; and goods produced by socially responsible companies that respect their workers and the environment.

Reduce single-occupancy driving.

Use public transportation, walk, bike, or carpool. Save money on gas, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy a little extra exercise and conversation.

Conserve energy.

Greenhouse gas emissions are environmental enemy #1. Shut off energy hogs like lights and computers. Also, just because it’s off doesn’t mean it isn’t using energy—unplug and/or flip the switch on power strips. Finally, 90 percent of the energy used by washing machines is for heating water. Go cold!