Sustainability for Students – 10 easy ways to go green as a student

With the wait for A-level results finally over, young people will be eagerly awaiting September when they will be flocking to universities across the country to start their new lives as undergraduates. This is a new and exciting time that will bring endless amounts of fun, new experiences, but also new challenges.

Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old climate change activist, has highlighted through her engagement with young people and how they address climate change that young people are becoming more and more environmentally aware. Millennials and Gen X are some of the most engaged members of the climate change revolution, and are forming a major part of activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion. If you are a student who want to join the movement, and do your bit to help the planet, these tips will help improve the sustainability of your new life, without having to drastically alter your everyday routines. Which means that you have more time to think about partying (and studying), whilst helping to save the planet.

10 ways to go green as a student:

1. Post-Paper Revolution

Wasting paper is still an issue even in this digital age, so save the trees and help protect our planet by taking notes on your laptop – this will also help you stay more organised as all your work is in one place.

2. It’s In the Bag

A reusable tote is going to be yours (and the environment’s) new best friend. Spontaneous trips to the supermarket post-lectures will no longer require planet-harming plastic bags. You can be the envy of all your new friends with one of our effortlessly cool slogan totes, which can be reused over 5,000 times (that’s a lot of late night ice-cream runs).

3. Bottle it up

We know that lectures, socialising and exercising can all be thirsty work, but this doesn’t mean that you have to reach for the plastic. Instead save the planet, and your pennies, and take a reusable bottle with you when you’re on the go.

4. Get a Slice of Recycling Action

Speaking from past experiences, you will consume A LOT of pizza during your time at university. But make sure that your fast-food habits aren’t contributing to our environmental waste problem, and put those pizza boxes in the recycling bin.

5. Power Down

Make sure that when you’re rushing out the door to a lecture (or a night out), that you remember to switch off your lights/chargers/speakers/straighteners before you head out. This will not only save your electricity bill (meaning you have more money to spend in the pub), but will help to save the planet!

6. More Plants Less Meat

The meat industry is one of the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions, and is damaging our planet. By cutting down on your meat consumption you can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. Plant-based food doesn’t have to be boring, and increasing your vegetable intake will also help to improve your health, which will decrease your chances of catching the dreaded freshers flu!

7. Ride or Die

Riding a bike will not only decrease your carbon footprint, but it will also help get you to lectures on time in a quick fashion.

8. Make a Meal of It

So many fast-food and quick lunch options are convenient for you, but not so convenient for the environment. Save the single-use plastic and opt to make your own lunch to take with you to campus, which will also save you time and money.

9. Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

You won’t get through those hungover 9am’s without a strong coffee, but instead of damaging single-use takeaway cups, why not invest in a reusable keep cup that will help eliminate the need for any single-use plastics.

10. Plastic Sucks

We all love to drink our drinks through a straw at parties, it means we can easily find our drink in a sea of identical red cups. But think about investing in a bamboo or metal straw that you can reuse. Plastic straws are some of the worst culprits for plastic pollution, and so you can do your bit for the oceans by ditching hem altogether.

We hope that these tips have inspired you to start your university journey in a more eco-friendly, environmentally conscious way. If you are currently a student, or are an ex-student with tips on how you stayed sustainably minded at university, we would love to hear from you, so leave us a comment, or send us a DM on Instagram @bagsofethics.

The Bags of Ethics team