How To Live Sustainably as a University Student

There’s no doubt that sustainability is really important to students today. However, with the hecticness of student living – including juggling your workload, preparing for end of year exams and attempting to maintain a good social life – finding ways to live more sustainably can seem overwhelming sometimes. 

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That’s why we’ve made a list of some quick and easy swaps and solutions that can help you give back to the environment, while still living your best student life. Keep reading for tips on how to live more sustainably on a student budget, including shopping, cooking and travelling at home or abroad.

What Does Sustainability Mean for Students?

In the last few years, sustainability has become an increasingly more talked-about topic around the world. Generally speaking, sustainability is about how we can meet the needs of the present population – without compromising future generations to do the same. But as the future leaders of the world, sustainability has even more significance for students. 

Some of the key aspects of sustainability for this age group include: 

• Environmental sustainability like ways to reduce your carbon footprint, understanding climate change and protecting ecosystems.
• Social sustainability like promoting equality, building strong communities and developing critical thinking.
• Economic sustainability like understanding the global economy and supporting sustainable businesses.

How Important Is Sustainability to Students?

If you want the short answer, it’s very. In fact, according to Times Higher Education research, prospective international students are more likely to choose a university based on its commitment to sustainability than on its location. Students are very aware that they’re future leaders and that by understanding the pillars behind sustainability, they ensure a higher quality of life for themselves and those who come next! University is a great place to learn more about sustainability, and as the first time many young people move away from home, it can be easy to implement new practices that prioritise sustainable living. 

How Can I Be More Sustainable as a Student?

You can do some very simple things as a student to be more sustainable, even if your busy schedule is crammed full of lecture time! With some little changes here and there, you can lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle without giving up everything that makes university so fun.

• Plan Your Meals and Cook in Bulk

  Sitting down one evening and planning out your meals for the week won’t just help you avoid food waste, but it’ll also make you less likely to nip to the local convenience store for a quick dinner that’s highly packaged. There are plenty of easy student recipes online that make meal planning a little more fun – you can also sit down with your housemates and see which dinners you can club together to make one evening. 

  Once you have planned your meals for the upcoming week, spend a couple of hours batch-cooking and sticking everything in the freezer. This way, you’ll always have a meal ready for you when you come back from a long revision session in the library.

• Choose Sustainable Transportation

  Rethinking the way you get into and around university can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. By swapping that last-minute Uber with walking, cycling or hopping on a bus, you can quickly reduce your outgoing emissions. The majority of university towns and cities are well-connected with public transport and likely will have a cheaper student fare to help you get around. If you do need to drive somewhere, consider carpooling with friends to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. 

• Eat More Plant-Based

  Cutting down your meat intake is incredibly beneficial for the environment, especially as the production of animal-based foods tends to be more harmful than plant-based foods. Becoming vegetarian or vegan can also be an easy switch if this is the first time you’re cooking for yourself outside your parents’ home – realising you’re the one in charge of your meal plans definitely takes getting used to! If a total switch doesn’t seem realistic, why not try meatless Mondays, cooking veggie a couple of times a week or even swapping your milk for a plant-based alternative?

• Go Digging in Charity Shops

  Prevent clothes from going to a landfill and make your student loan go further by sifting through the local charity shops to find some unique pieces for low prices. Not only can you update your student wardrobe while supporting some great charities, but this is a really fun activity to do one Saturday afternoon if you’re still feeling a bit rough from the night before. You can also give back and prevent unnecessary landfill waste by donating some of your old clothes to the store – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, after all!

• Watch Your Water Usage

  With studies estimating that water demand globally is set to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, finding ways to watch your water usage and prioritise water conservation is crucial. As a student, it’s super easy to watch how much water you’re using – and find ways to cut it down if you can. This might be turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, shortening your shower time or even waiting until you have a small pile of dishes to wash before filling the sink. 

• Rescue Meals Using Food Waste Apps

  Get your hands on a bundle of Greggs’ sausage rolls or breakfast pastries from Pret for a fraction of the price by using food waste apps like Too Good to Go. To meet demand, stores have to produce more food than they can sell – however, this leads to a ton of unsold goodies being thrown away. Using these apps is a great way to enjoy restaurant-quality food on the cheap. Olio is another food waste app that’s popular with students. Users can buy or trade unwanted perishable goods in the local area for a small price or even for free. 

• Shop Second-Hand Online

  If charity shops aren’t your thing, you can also find some amazing second-hand pieces online. This makes it easier to search for something specific that you’re after, while still preventing landfill waste and adding to your wardrobe without burning a hole in your pocket. For clothes and accessories, we recommend Vinted and Depop. For everything else, including second-hand furniture for your student bedroom, try browsing through Facebook Marketplace or on eBay. It’s amazing what you can find online…

• Practice Mindful Consumerism

  Mindful consumerism is a big part of critical thinking when it comes to living sustainability. This means investing in high-quality items that will last longer instead of opting for fast fashion or cheap items that break in no time. While initially more expensive, these higher quality items work out cheaper in the long run as you won’t need to pay for a replacement. Shopping with this mindset can also prevent the production of more items, in turn reducing global carbon emissions and not contributing to sweatshops in developing countries. 

• Choose Shops That Promote Sustainability 

  Only shopping in stores that promote sustainability is an easy way to make your student life more eco-friendly. This could be buying from charity shops instead of on the high street, frequenting vegetarian cafes or even buying your fruit and vegetables from the local market. Many university towns also have a selection of refill shops that offer a variety of everyday products without the usual packaging; just bring your reusable jars of bottles to the store, fill them up with the products you need and pay by the weight of what’s in your basket. 

• Travel Greener Abroad

  University is one of the best times to go travelling, especially when the university summer lasts as long as it does! But going abroad can have a big impact on the environment. Thinking of ways you can travel more sustainably ensures you can see the world while also giving back to it at the same time. For example, can you travel between countries around Europe on a Flixbus rather than taking a flight? If you’re exploring what the UK has to offer over the short Easter Break, consider going by train instead of driving to your destination. 

• Join Sustainability Initiatives On Campus

  It’s important to know just why the world is shifting to more sustainable living, particularly if you really want to make your mark as a student. Sustainability initiatives on campus and university environmental clubs are great places to learn more. Each university will have its own sustainable goals, so you can get involved in anything from campus cleanups to planting trees. It’s amazing how rewarding it can be when you see your differences come to life! Some universities might also want help with promoting sustainability through campus campaigns or your student government – the more people familiarise themselves with how they can be more sustainable day to day, the better it will be for the planet in the long run!

All that’s left to say is, good luck on your journey to living more sustainably!