How to live sustainably at university

Sustainability and being environmentally conscious is not something we’re new to. Trying to find small changes to make in our day-to-day is pretty simple, but can sometimes be costly and there is little advice outside of the basic recycle and shop vintage suggestions we hear every day on TikTok and in conversation.

As a student, it can be hard not to feel like it's impossible to do your bit without breaking the bank and it being too time-consuming, however, here are some simple changes you may not have considered.

1. Bar Soap

Instead of constantly using and binning plastic one-use bottles for your shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, consider using a solid bar version. Lather it in your hand as you would any other bottled soaps and use as usual – it shouldn’t change the way you’re currently cleaning. This option costs the same, if not less, than typical plastic consumer products. While brands that come to mind first, such as Lush, offer great versions, these can be a little steep. Look to brands like XGC, local brands found in shops such as Beanies, or even Primark's ‘P.S. Naturals’ collection (as a starting point) – all of which can be as little as £1, come in a range of scents and textures, and may last longer than your usual liquid soaps – as well as removing the possibility of too much coming out at once or there being lots left in the bottle that you can’t get out.

2. Zero-waste Products

Invest in glass jars that can be as cheap as 50p to refill as and when you need certain products. These can be used for food and you can find them in our SU. Other great local shops for zero-waste include Unwrapped and Beanies, and they tend not to break the bank – depending on which products you want, essentials such as pasta and rice, come at a cheap price without the plastic packaging. If you’re really attached to your liquid soap products, this can be a great alternative, with some supermarkets offering well-known brands as refill options.

These glass jars even add to the aesthetic of your home. Instead of chunky cardboard and flimsy plastic, they are a pretty way of displaying your food and you can keep track of when you start to run low – while also helping to make a dint in landfill products.

3. Compost

Pretty self-explanatory. You can find small compost containers to easily fit in the corner of your kitchen for tea bags, uneaten food, coffee machine biscuits and so forth – meaning these things can create something new to feed your plants, instead of joining the earth. Don’t believe the stereotypes, as long as you’re remembering to use a compost bag and ensuring the lid is definitely closed, there should be no smell or creepy crawlies joining your kitchen as a result – only very happy plants.

4. Packed Lunch

Instead of grabbing a meal deal made up of multiple plastic packages, think ahead and pack your own lunch. This option both saves the environment and your bank, allowing you to buy things in bulk at a lower price so you can pre-plan your diet. While this may be considered more time-consuming, I don’t think the time it takes to prepare a sandwich or dump your leftover dinner into a container should eat into your study time too much. It also gives you more choice instead of being limited to soggy cheese sandwiches or flavourless wraps.

5. Bamboo Equipment

Replace your dish sponges that have to be regularly changed with bamboo scrubs, or your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one. It is a great, durable material that doesn't over-pollute landfills, yet still does the same job you are used to. A lot of these product replacements can be found in supermarkets or online for a similar price to their single-use originals.

While all of these changes are easy for me to list, remember it is not your sole responsibility to make changes towards environmental sustainability. At the end of the day, the big companies burning through fuel and spending pennies on plastic garment materials are the ones we should be putting these pressures on. It’s hard not to feel guilty when we’re surrounded by social media telling us to do more – but as long as you’re trying and making yourself aware of what can be done, remember it does not come down to you to do it all.

Edited by Pia Cooper