Hey earth muffins! Moving into college is an exciting milestone, but (without thought) it can create a lot of extra waste just like any other move. Never fear – there are plenty of conscious choices you can make that align with your values to reduce your environmental impact! In this blog post, we’ll explore how to move into college the eco-friendly way to reduce your impact from day one. Let’s jump right into it!
1. Use plastic free packing materials!
When packing your belongings, opt for eco-friendly packing materials. Use suitcases, bags, and boxes you already have to minimize waste. If you need extra padding for those breakable items, use clothing or towels instead of bubble wrap or Styrofoam. This is a great alternative because you have to pack those soft items anyway! For all the non-eco packing materials you end up using, make sure to repurpose them or recycle them on campus.
Hey earth muffins! A few years ago, I wrote a post about how to live zero waste at college. Students are now back on campus after the pandemic (yay!); so, I thought it would be fun to share some more great ways to be eco-friendly while at school. Going off to college is arguably one of the best times of your life – you get to meet amazing people, learn a lot, and have a bit of fun before entering the real world. But, that doesn’t mean you need to compromise on your sustainability values… Whether you are living in a dorm, an apartment, or commuting from your parents’ home, here are some tips on staying eco-friendly at college!
Utilize the recycling and compost bins as much as possible!
Many schools offer both recycling and compost bins near the trash. In my dorm, we had a trash room in the basement; the recycling and compost bins were right next to the trash, which made it super easy to properly recycle/compost. If you live in an apartment, you might not have a building wide compost bin… But then maybe consider having your own apartment compost system! 😊 You could even call/email your building managers to let them know that a compost bin is something residents want; they might make this eco-friendly change!
Make sure your school supplies are eco-friendly at college.
There are plenty of ways to make sure you have low waste school supplies. From shopping second hand to reducing your paper usage, this school year does not need to have a damaging impact on the planet. Check out my full guide on how to zero waste your school supplies!
Be selective about the freebies on campus.
One thing I wasn’t prepared for when I went off to college were all the freebies. It seems like every event I went to there were free t-shirts, stickers, water bottles, etc. branded with whatever companies (or campus offices) were sponsoring the event. While it might be difficult to say no, do you really need all of that junk? Be selective on what you bring home with you. Not only will you need to move it out at the end of the year, but you don’t want to overconsume things you don’t actually have any use for.
Continue using your reusables to stay eco-friendly at college!
A great way to be eco-friendly at college is to (obviously) keep up the good work you have already made on your sustainability journey! Continue using all of the sustainable swaps you have made, and keep opting for reusables instead of single-use. Even though you are in a new place, it doesn’t mean you should revert back to how you were living before. Who knows, you might even meet some people who also use similar reusables! 😍
Reduce the amount of meat you eat on campus.
Plant-based diets are much better for the environment, regardless of which one you do. If you live in a dorm, try eating some of the vegetarian options a few times a week at the dining hall! You might get introduced to some delicious veggie meals that 1) you didn’t have to cook yourself and 2) you haven’t tried before. For those with their own kitchens, save yourself some money and opt for non-meat proteins once in awhile!
Resist the urge to eat out and pack your lunch eat day!
Eating out creates a lot of waste! While there are ways to reduce your fast food waste, it is much better for the environment to pack your own lunch. In grad school (when I no longer had access to a dining hall), I packed my lunch box every day. I had so many people complement me on “being prepared” and “eating healthy”! If you need some tips on what to pack, read my guide on how to pack a low waste lunch.
Find others on a sustainable journey and join them to create change on campus!
Being on a sustainable journey is all good and well, but it is important to get out there and create change too. Most colleges have plenty of green themed clubs, so join one (or a few)! Attend events, spread the message, and meet a lot of amazing friends too. While every small change makes a different, joining together helps make larger changes in your city!
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Final Thoughts on Being Eco-Friendly at College
College is a time to learn, have fun, and grow into the person you are meant to be. So keep your sustainable values even when you are off to school! There are so many easy ways to stay eco-friendly at college. Opt for meatless options in the dining hall. Reduce your paper usage. Compost and recycle. The list goes on! You will meet plenty of people will similar values on campus, so join them to create real change on your campus. How are you staying eco-friendly at college this year? Comment below what I missed on this list!
