Living sustainably can seem daunting, especially when you’re a busy college student. But the truth is that there are a few simple steps you can take to start reducing your carbon footprint. As an added bonus, living sustainably can also save you money while doing good for the environment. Read on for a few ways you can be more sustainable in college.
1. Food
- Eat mindfully at the food court. To avoid wasting food at your school’s cafeteria, choose smaller portions. Remember: You can always go back for seconds! If you can take leftover food to-go, consider bringing your own containers to avoid disposable to-go boxes.
- Ditch plastic bags. We use plastic bags for less than 15 minutes, but they take 500 years (or more) to decompose. Big yikes. Instead, do your grocery shopping with a reusable tote bag and bring your own reusable mesh produce bags to avoid tearing off single-use plastic bags for fruits and veggies. If the pandemic has your plastic-free plans on hold, make efforts to reuse plastic bags, if possible.
Source: Bogdan Sonjachnyj/Shutterstock.com
- Opt for bulk bins. As an eco-conscious college student, shopping at bulk bins is definitely the way to go. Not only are bulk bins cheaper than pre-bagged items, they’re also far less wasteful because you can get the exact quantity you need without the plastic packaging.
- Eat less meat. Did you know that agricultural production accounts for 25 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions? The agriculture industry is rife with problems, including overexploitation of land, biodiversity loss, excessive water and energy use and the use of pesticides. Try to limit your meat consumption by choosing protein-packed alternatives, such as quinoa, nuts and chickpeas. And if you must eat meat, choose chicken instead of carbon-heavy red meats, like beef and lamb.
2. Clothing
- Get your thrift on. Shopping at second-hand stores is a great way to build an eco-friendly wardrobe on a budget. Besides, who doesn’t love a good thrift shop find?
- Rent your clothes. Looking for some fancier fits? Consider renting your clothes from rental clothing companies such as Rent the Runway and Le Tote. Renting clothes is especially useful if you’re in a sorority or a fraternity that requires lots of trendy outfits for different occasions.
- Upcycle old clothing. From repurposing curtains into dresses to making a complete outfit out of Ikea bags, TikTok has been blowing up lately with people posting videos of upcycled fashion. Why not jump on the trend? All you need are some basic sewing skills and a little creativity!
3. Personal Hygiene
- Use a bamboo toothbrush. If you’re looking for an “easy win” to help you live more sustainably, switch to a bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo is fast-growing, easy to grow and requires no fertilizers or pesticides, making it the go-to material for a countless number of sustainable products. Don’t forget to replace it every three to four months, per the American Dental Association.
Source: theearthlingco.com
- Reusable face wipes are your friend. We know, we know — disposable face wipes are so convenient for those post-workout sessions at the rec center. But disposable face wipes can pollute water systems and end up in our oceans. Instead, switch to reusable makeup wipes that you can throw in the wash. The planet will thank you for it!
- Embrace the solid beauty bar trend. Solid beauty bars — such as lotion bars, shampoo bars and conditioner bars — are having a huge moment lately and rightfully so considering how they can reduce plastic waste while making your hair and skin look amazing. Plus, they’re travel-friendly, making them extra-convenient while traveling during school breaks.
- Switch to a safety razor. Disposable razors generate heaps of plastic waste. If you shave regularly, do the planet (and your wallet) a favor by switching to a safety razor. Although pricier initially, safety razors can save you lots of money in the long-
4. Transportation
- Live on or near campus. If you have the option, live on or close to Besides helping you succeed as a student, living on (or nearby) campus will significantly reduce how much you need to use a car. Commuting can be sustainable and buses and shuttles can also be a great way to meet people.
- Get a bicycle or walk. Walking or biking to school may not always be doable, but when it’s sensible to do so, both commuting methods can help lower your carbon footprint. An added bonus: You’ll sneak in your daily exercise (and benefit from all those feel-good endorphins).
- Take mass transit or carpool with your roommates. If your campus is too far away for walking or riding your bike, consider setting up a carpool with your roommates. If you have different schedules (or they are simply not into the idea), take the bus or a shuttle!
5. Community
- Join environmental clubs and programs. Joining an environmental club is a fun way to meet like-minded people and make a difference in your community. Consider attending a few meetings before you join a club or visit your school’s sustainability center for volunteer opportunities.
- Take a class on sustainability. You don’t need to be an environmental science or sustainability major to take a class on sustainability. In fact, you should take courses outside your major because it allows you to make connections with experts in different fields. Enrolling in a sustainability class gives you the opportunity to learn more about environmental challenges from highly-respected professors who know their stuff.
- Cast your vote. To make significant progress in our sustainability efforts, we need change to happen at the policy level. But historically, voter turnout among college students has been low. Make your voice heard! Take the time to research candidates and vote for people who support sustainable initiatives.
Think Globally, Act Locally
Never underestimate the power of change in your local community. Practicing sustainability on campus and advocating for change in your town or city can have a far-reaching ripple effect that has influenced change at the federal level. Every little bit helps!
