It can be hard to be sustainable as a student, especially when most environmentally friendly products are on the more expensive side. So here are three things you can do to be more sustainable, which will save you money too!
1 – Buy a reusable mug
This may be a pretty obvious one but buy a reusable travel mug! If you’re someone who gets a drink to go pretty much every day, then this is a must. Get one for hot and one for cold drinks!
Not only is that environmentally conscious, it also can save you money since a lot of cafes give you a discount if you bring your own cup. Plus, usually your drinks stay hotter/colder in a proper mug as opposed to a single use one!
2 – Reduce food waste
Food waste is a huge issue. We are all guilty of buying things we don’t use or not portioning properly. Maybe you saw something on sale and didn’t realise until you got home that you actually don’t want it. Things like tins of food you never use but got just in case, donate them! Loafs of bread you won’t eat in time. Donate!
There’s a community fridge and pantry on campus where you can donate food. As long as it’s sealed, you can take it to the green and blue space or the students union. It’s a take what you need, give what you can, and a great way to help students and reduce food waste!
And for the food waste that isn’t donatable, compost it!
It’s so easy to just throw your food waste in with the rest of your rubbish, but composting is extremely important. Composting allows the food to break down properly where it can’t when mixed in with other garbage. Doing this also keeps your bin from smelling, which is always a bonus.
3 – Invest in water filter
It’s so easy to go through hundreds of plastic water bottles a year. They are convenient and usually cheap, everyone’s guilty of using them sometimes. Most of the time, the excuse is that people want clean water and don’t trust tap water.
However, we all know plastic bottles are horrible for the environment, so it’s worth your while to invest in a water filter of some sort.
Whether it’s a traditional water filter jug, or an actual water bottle that has a filter at the top, they can be really good.
It will save hundreds of water bottles a year, and also save you a lot of money day to day.
Making small changes doesn’t have to be perfect, the important thing is trying to be as conscious to the environment as you can. Overconsumption and single use products take over the world, so don’t fret if you can’t cut everything out of your lifestyle to be completely sustainable.
Despite what everyone says, little changes make a difference too. Every sustainable choice is a good choice, so where you’re capable, make the change!
We’ve got to accept that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, it can just be trying your best and doing what you can, where you can.
Featured Image: pexels.com
