When you’re a student, you know that you should adopt greener habits so you can have a more positive impact on the planet.
However, it can often seem like too much time and effort when you have a busy schedule and your studies and social life to think about.
But making those small eco-friendly changes can be easier than you think and can have a big impact on the planet. You could avoid putting more plastics in the oceans, reduce your carbon footprint, protect the earth’s natural resources and even save money in the process.
Here at Glide, we care about the future of our planet so we’re going to share some of the best ways you can become more eco-friendly today.
Recycle!
Recycling more of your rubbish is perhaps the easiest green habit you can adopt. It’s quick, straightforward and will significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, reduce our use of the earth’s natural resources and slash our carbon emissions.
Many local authorities offer paper, cardboard, cans, glass and plastic recycling and some will even offer to take care of your food waste, used clothes, used electronics and other similar items.
Simply separate everything into the right bins, avoid and make sure they’re ready for collection on the correct day. Check with your landlord if you’re not sure when this happens.
Make The Most Of Reusable Products
Switching from single-use or disposable items is another great way to reduce waste, adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and simplify your life. Besides, your coffee will taste even better when you’re sipping it from a beautiful reusable mug!
Switch your…
- Single-use plastic water bottle for a reusable one
- Takeaway coffee cup for a reusable mug
- Disposable cutlery or takeout container for a cool Bento box and cutlery set
- Plastic food wrap for beeswax food wraps
- Female hygiene products for a Menstrual Cup
- Plastic carrier bag for a reusable linen bag
- Disposable razor for a safety razor
Make Environmentally Friendly Transport Choices
When it comes to getting from A to B, we often choose the most convenient method of transport. But this can spell bad news for the environment and can often take a chunk from our student budget too.
According to the BBC, “...the transport sector (in the UK) is now responsible for emitting more greenhouse gases than any other, including electricity production and agriculture. Globally, transport accounts for around a quarter of CO2 emissions.”
So instead of driving or taking a taxi, consider walking, cycling, using public transport or sharing lifts with other students instead. There are also many lift-sharing apps like LiftShare.com that can help you cut costs, meet new people and take care of the environment at the same time.
Sell / Donate Things You No Longer Need
Whether you’re moving to a new student pad or simply decluttering, consider selling or donating what you don’t need instead of simply throwing them away.
Many students are keen to buy preloved textbooks, second-hand clothes or cheaper items so they can save cash, and you can make money too! Consider posting adverts on your uni noticeboard, Facebook marketplace or even on sites like Preloved, eBay or Gumtree.
You can also donate many items to charity and make a real difference in the world whilst also adopting greener habits. It’s a win-win.
Reduce And Manage Your Utility Usage
Your utility bills don’t only put a huge dent in your student budget but also burn fossil fuels, deplete the earth’s natural resources, damage ecosystems and create significant amounts of emissions. Here are some ways you can better manage your energy usage for a more eco-friendly life.
- Turn off lights when you leave the room
- Unplug any devices that aren’t in use
- Turn down your thermostat
- Read your meters
- Switch to a green energy provider
Did you know that our Glide student bill splitting app uses 100% green energy whilst helping you stay in control of your utility bills? Find out more here.
Summary
You can switch to a greener student lifestyle by adopting the easy lifestyle tweaks we’ve mentioned above.
Recycle more, invest in reusables, sell or donate what you no longer need, make greener transportation choices and consider switching to a green energy provider that also helps you save money (like us!). The planet and your bank balance will thank you!
