5 ways to cut down your Dillo Footprint
By Rachael Sarette You might think the only lasting effects of Dillo Day are your Sunday hangover, failing that final on Monday and being unable to make eye contact with that awkward afternoon hookup, but if the day isn't done right, the effects on the Earth can last a lot longer than a weekend. Here are 5 tips to make your Saturday as green as possible so that Dillo will live on for future Wildcats.
1. No More Red Solo Cups
I think we’ve all heard (and probably have sung out of tune) “Red Solo Cup” by Toby Keith. While Toby may sing “A red Solo cup is cheap and disposable and in 14 years they are decomposable,” it actually takes about 450 years for a Solo cup to decompose. So carry a reusable cup or water bottle with you to your various parties.
2. Sustainable Sunscreen
Normal sunscreen ingredients include, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. All those nasty chemicals are bad for your health and the environment, and they often come packaged in plastic bottles. Buy more sustainable sunscreens like Alba Botanica, Badger, California Baby, or JASON. Or if you are feeling adventurous, you can make your own sunscreen.
3. Drink Local Dranks
In order to reduce the amount of fuel and energy wasted on shipping alcohol around the world, buy alcohol made by local companies. There are over 40 different breweries and about 20 distilleries located in Chicago. In fact, with the exception of tequila, it's completely plausible to stock a bar with nothing but spirits made in the Midwest. One of the highest-rated distilleries in our area is FEW Spirits in Evanston, named after our very own Frances E. Willard.
4. Walk to the Lakefill
We get it. You’re at an off campus darty, you’re tired, you’re going to be late for the next act on the Lakefill, and your shoes are hurting your feet. But take one for the environment and for your wallet by walking to the Lakefill instead of calling that UBER.
Its summer and everyone wants to grill the perfect hamburger. While gas is still a non-reusable resource, it is cleaner burning than charcoal, emitting about half the carbon dioxide. Also, on average, charcoal has to travel farther in order to get to Evanston. So, in the contest between gas and charcoal, gas comes out on top.