As a student, there are so many things you’re probably doing to make your lives easier. I’m sure that you’re already on the lookout for tips, tricks, or hacks whether it is for entering your university, attending your university open day, or for cracking your entrance exams. Tips and guides are always essential in helping us at every step of our lives. Talking about guides, what if I told you that there are measures that you can take as a student towards the path of sustainability? If we are considering making our lives easier as a priority, a sustainable living guide for students is the perfect place, to begin with, because in the long run, taking care of what we do to our planet will automatically make the world a better place to live in.
Student Guide To Sustainable Living
While it is true that the most effective ways to save the planet come through government laws and regulations, individual efforts do count. Every choice of ours, starting from what we buy, to what we wear, truly makes a difference. Before we proceed, here’s an infographic of the life of a cotton t-shirt that can be your alternative.
Source: Thread Channel
As fashionable and socially conscious students, the first step is for all of us to know our closets. Next, think about the lifecycle of each product. We should try to move away from the fast-fashion trap of affordable clothing, which leads to mindless consumption of trends that we did not need in the first place. This is just an example of one product. As you read along, you’ll understand more about eco-friendly products you can use instead of your daily plastic.
So let’s get on with this sustainable living guide for students in order to get acquainted with steps that we can take to contribute towards a healthier planet.
# 1 Say No To Plastic
We have all grown up listening to this phrase ‘Say no to plastic’ but understanding the essence of this is the key. There are many ways to invest in reusable alternatives which not only cost you lesser but can also guarantee longevity. In this sustainable living guide for students, the following are the alternatives to plastic that every student should invest in:
- Reusable plastic water bottles or stainless steel bottles instead of your regular plastic water bottles that you are heavily dependent on.
- Your regular dose of caffeine can be done the healthy way via paper cups or mugs instead of your plastic cups, which tend to release toxic chemicals when exposed to something too cold or hot.
- There are many eco-friendly student products like steel or glass straws, and food storage containers that you can use as an alternative.
- Whether you’re getting your lunch at your university or from your accommodation, make sure you carry your own lunch box (which obviously isn’t a plastic one)
- Cloth bags, reusable bags, backpacks, folding bags, or tote bags are better alternatives to your plastic covers that more often than not land up floating on the surfaces of water bodies.
# 2 Sustainability Starts From Your Home
There are many daily habits that you can work on which will help conserve energy in several ways. We benefit from a green lifestyle not only by ensuring that we live on a healthy planet but also by saving money in the long run. Here are some easy-to-learn habits that we have included in our sustainable living guide for students:
- Switch off lights, electronic appliances when not needed
- Use sunlight instead of electric lights
- Use pot lids when cooking to reduce the energy required
- Hang clothes to dry naturally rather than throwing them in a tumble dryer
# 3 Cook Green, Eat Green
Did you know that animal farming consumes huge amounts of natural resources and even contaminates the environment? While it is not necessary to completely convert to a vegan and stop eating meat, you can always include a plant-based diet in your food schedule as a step towards going green. In our green living tips for students, here’s how you can work on a sustainable kitchen:
- Buy loose vegetables and fruits, sauces contained in tins or jars
- Keep old jars for leftovers, or pasta and grains bought from bulk stores
- Use veg scraps to cook your next day’s hot soup or broth
- Replace foil with reusable food wraps
- Replace paper towels/napkins with fabrics
On days when you’re too lazy to cook and prefer deliveries or takeaways, there are plenty of organic sustainable eateries that you can order from. It’ll still be a win-win situation.
# 4 Green Ways Of Getting Around
You may be staying at your university accommodation or at an off-campus accommodation within the vicinity of your university. Walking to your university is one healthy habit that will not only benefit you but also the environment. Alternatively, cycling can be a great option too, wherein you get your daily dose of exercise and, at the same time, avoid air or noise pollution. In our sustainable living guide for students, we recommend using public transport like buses, trams, or trains instead of exploring the city in your personal vehicles. They are in fact more affordable means of commuting and are environment-friendly as well.
# 5 Donate Food, Don’t Waste It
Have you ever overestimated your eating capacity and cooked or ordered a little extra only to find yourself throwing the remains? While it is always better to be safe than to feel sorry, ordering or cooking more than your capacity isn’t wrong, but wasting what’s left could be wrong, especially if someone else could benefit from it. One of our pro-tips in this student’s guide to sustainable living would be to donate your leftover food items either for recycling purposes or to the ones who cannot afford food on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are numerous apps to recycle food waste and alleviate the problems of hunger and carbon emission. By using and promoting the apps, not only will you save millions of dollars across the food chain, but also save money on grocery shopping.
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