Being eco-friendly at university can be tough. When living in halls or in a house share, convincing other people to turn the lights off or actually use the recycling bin often proves trickier than expected.
Following this, end of year fly-tipping remains an ever present issue in student areas. Nipping into Pret for a coffee before lectures becomes the norm, as does forgetting the reusable cup your mum got you for Christmas. It’s easy to run into the supermarket for a few bits and come out with a weekly shop, requiring a plastic bag. Being an environmentally friendly student is tough.
What can be done? There’s not the option to move to a self sufficient wind farm when you’re in second year.
Education
Education is important when considering the environment because it’s good to have an intention to why you want to be eco-friendly in the first place. Whether it’s saving the oceans, reducing your carbon footprint or understanding the environmental downfalls of fast fashion, I’d recommend talking some time to learn.
One of the most impactful books I’ve read is ‘Challenge Everything’ by Blue Sandford.
Written when Sandford was just 17, Challenge Everything highlights issues including greenwashing and gives a truly honest account of how you can make a difference.
Cycle
It’s shocking that more people don’t cycle. Not only is it environmentally foolproof, buying a bike proves to be extremely economical, even after a few months.
If a single bus ticket is – on average – £1.50 and you get 10 buses a week, this equates to £60 a month. Over a term that’s £180 spend on buses, which would pay for a good quality bike that lasts for years.
Cycle for the environment, your wallet and as an excuse to avoid joining the gym!
Buy second hand
Buying second hand clothing has become wonderfully trendy in recent years. Apps such as Depop, eBay and Vinted have encouraged the revival of vintage and archive fashion, reducing the reliance on the supposedly ‘easy’ and ‘convenient’ high street.
The term ‘second hand’ doesn’t need to only apply to clothing however. Household items, including kitchen-wear, furniture, decorations and even soft furnishings can all be bought secondhand. Snobbish behaviours aren’t welcomed in the eyes of a true eco-warrior. Anti-bacterial cleaning products remove any worry that items that once belonged to someone else are dirty, so try it! Nothing compares to a quirky mug from a charity shop.
Reduce single use
The term ‘single use’ has been plastered everywhere, particularly after the popularity of documentaries such as Blue Planet.
This step is easy. Please buy a reusable water bottle, keep a foldaway bag with you and, if you’re feeling fancy, ask for a Stojo for your birthday. There has to be a degree of consciousness when trying to be environmentally friendly, so take the initiative.
Student or not, we have a moral duty to preserve and improve the state of the earth. Do your bit!
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