# data[].attributes.headline
10 ways college students can live more sustainably

# data[].attributes.subject
10 ways college students can live more sustainably

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 ways college students can live more sustainabily - The YEARS Project

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Making big lifestyle changes can be out of budget for most college students. The movement to end climate change has become the most pressing topic of our time. It is imperative that each of us join in on the fight to curb climate change, and a lot of…

# data[].attributes.headline
100 tips to live a more sustainable life

# data[].attributes.subject
100 tips to live a more sustainable life

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a question Maša, and I have been asking ourselves over the years. Since 2014, we've primarily focused on pairing down and giving up the consumption of animal products. We're proud of these personal developments, but it's just a few aspects of what it means to consume mindfully.

As described by Wikipedia, sustainable living describes a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society's use of the Earths natural resources, and one's personal resources.

On the surface, it can be incredibly daunting to reduce your environmental footprint, especially when you see that others around you are not doing their part. But when you break it down into small steps, you realise you have more power than you thought.

To make sustainable living more accessible, we've created a list of over 100 tips to help you live greener and happier. We've broken down the actions into areas that represent our lives.

You may already be doing a few of these things, or perhaps all of it, which is fantastic! But hopefully, you'll pick up some opportunities to do your part to help mother nature.
Note: this post was initially published on February 17, 2016, with 50 sustainable living tips. We've learned a lot since then and wanted to make this content relevant to today-thus the number of tips more than doubled in size. This post may contain affiliate links, for which we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure here.
Also, if you're interested in podcasting, we recorded an episode breaking down some of these tips and how we've personally applied them to our lives.

Let's get into the tips.

Sustainable living around the house

1. Use LED lighting or CFL bulbs instead of incandescent lighting as it's proven to last longer, which reduces the need to keep purchasing light bulbs.

2. Put on an extra layer of clothing instead of turning on the heating. Seriously, doubling up on your socks does wonders!

3. Open up your blinds and use as much natural light as possible before switching on your light bulbs. You all get to enjoy some more sunshine 🙂

4. Turn off your lights when you leave a room.

5. Put up a no junk mail sign on your letterbox to limit the amount of paper waste.

6. Hang your wet clothes on a drying line or rack instead of using a powered dryer.

7. Hand wash your clothes, particularly if you only have a few items to clean.

8. Start timing your showers. Or better yet, invest in a shower timer.

9. Grow your own herbs, fruit and vegetables even if it's just a few pots around the house, it all helps!

10. Turn off your devices at night, including your wifi box.

11. Get a water-saving showerhead.

12. Use organic fertilisers.

13. Purchase recycled toilet paper with plastic-free packaging.

14. On the topic of toilets, use scrap paper, newspaper, or toilet paper to collect pet poo.

Sustainable commuting

1. Buy a second-hand bicycle and start using it to commute everywhere.

2. Take the stairs over the elevator. This also doubles up as a leg workout.

3. Use public transport. It's also an excellent opportunity to catch up on reading and other things you couldn't do if you were driving. Listening to our podcast is a great way to pass time 😉

4. Organise carpools to work, sports, events and other activities. There are some services where you can find people to commute with for interstate travel.

5. If available, use rent-a-bike services in your city.

6. Ditch your car and embrace car-free living.

7. But, if you're in the market for a new car, invest in electric-powered vehicles.

8. Reduce the amount of time you spend taking flights. Positive fact, some airlines are trying to implement zero-waste practices.

Sustainable grocery shopping

1. Don't use plastic bags at checkout. Instead, take your own bags for groceries.

2. Buy your produce in bulk from your local farmer's markets.

3. Avoid buying plastic-wrapped products, opt for a paper bag instead.

4. Stop buying bottled water!

5. Shop at bulk food stores for any goods. Better yet, take in your own jars.

6. Take your own paper bags or a container when buying fresh bread from a bakery.

7. Bring your own containers to the deli.

8. If you drink beer, take a growler to your local brewery.

Sustainable fashion

1. Buy second-hand clothes where possible.

2. Become a minimalist and take the 333-time capsule challenge.

3. Invest in better quality items that last longer. Slow fashion trumps fast fashion.

4. Support fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious.

5. Learn how to find sustainable materials when shopping.

6. Reduce how frequently you wash your clothes.

7. Repurpose old clothes as rags or donate to a local mechanic if no longer wearable.

8. Acquire basic sewing skills to patch holes and sew buttons back on. Or if you have a bigger job, take to an alterations shop.

9. Transform old clothes into new garments. For example, a dress you don't wear can be turned into a top and skirt.

10. Shop at sustainable clothing outlets that offer post-purchase repair services.

Go paperless

1. Opt to receive digital letters and notices.

2. Send electronic wedding invitations.

3. Read this article on how to use an app to scan and organise all of your paperwork.

4. Ask suppliers to email you a receipt instead of printing one out for you.

5. Use your phone, tablet or computer for note-taking.

Sustainable office

1. Collect scrap paper in a tray.

2. Turn off your computer before leaving work.

3. Get rid of your home printer. This will encourage you to seek a printer when you absolutely need it.

4. Unplug workstation from ports overnight to reduce phantom power.

5. If you need business cards, use an eco-friendly printer.

6. Add small pot plants to your workspace.

7. Always use double-sided printing where possible.

Sustainable baby items

1. Switch to cloth diapers.

2. Use stainless steel drink bottles (or at least plastic-free).

3. Get a wooden baby teether.

4. Use reusable nursing pads.

5. Look for wooden baby rattles.

6. Use eco-friendly (plastic-free) bibs.

7. Source second-hand toys or join a toy library.

8. If you are buying toys, find toys made from natural fibres.

9. Use dummies/pacifiers made from natural rubber.

10. Use coconut oil as a diaper balm.

Sustainable kitchen

1. Juice the off-cuts of your vegetables and fruits.

2. Repurpose glass jars.

3. Use washable metal straws instead of disposable plastic straws.

4. Limit the use of hot water when hand washing dishes.

5. Use cloths instead of paper towels.

6. Make your own coffee instead of buying takeaway.

7. Ditch your bin liner or use newspaper instead.

8. Start composting. Here's a guide to help you get started.

9. Use a dishwasher instead of handwashing.

10. Try making homemade cleaners.

11. Reduce your food waste by eating only what you need.

12. Invest in a pressure cooker and reduce your cooking time and energy used by 70%!

Sustainable beauty

1. Go makeup-free for one week each month.

2. Limit the amount of water you use to brush your teeth.

3. Make your own face cleanser and scrub. Check out this super simple 2-ingredient body scrub recipe.

4. Use reusable cotton pads for removing your makeup.

5. Don't leave the water running when cleaning your face.

6. Consider using shampoo bars to reduce packaging.

7. Read labels for toxic and harmful chemicals.

8. Share products with your family, e.g. deodorant, shampoo etc.

9. Use multipurpose bathroom products.

10. Buy bigger bottles less often, as opposed to smaller bottles more often. It also works out to be cheaper.

11. Use body scourers made from natural materials over plastic ones.

12. Donate used and unwanted products to places like Project Beauty Share.

13. Use reusable pads or menstrual cups.

Sustainable gifting

1. Save gift bags and boxes for future use.

2. Give people experiences instead of things.

3. Create and send a thoughtful video.

4. Make a hand-written note from recycled materials.

5. Donate to a charity or cause instead of giving a gift.

6. Make jewellery, hats, scarfs, from existing materials.

7. Offer to babysit.

8. Make a home-cooked meal or bake a cake.

9. Many sustainable gifts also happen to be minimalist gifts. Check out our minimalist gift guide for more ideas.

Read more: How to Graciously Handle Unwanted Gifts as a Minimalist

Sustainable technology

1. Use solar energy charges for your smartphones and tablets.

2. Use rechargeable batteries where possible.

3. Recycle your devices when ready to dispose of.

4. Donate your old devices to schools and other institutions.

5. Use e-waste recycling programs when disposing of your electronics.

6. Switch to cloud computing and move away from physical hard drives and servers.

7. Get your devices repaired instead of buying new ones.

8. Switch to a sustainable search engine like Ecosia. They use some of their profits to plant trees, and they run on 100% renewable energy.

9. If you do need to buy new appliances, look second hand first.

10. But if you can't find something second-hand, buy energy-efficient technology.

Sustainable lifestyle

1. Spend more time outside.

2. Eat more whole foods. Better yet, go vegan!

3. Become a member of your local food co-op.

4. Plant a tree with someone.

5. Borrow books from the library instead of purchasing them directly.

6. Read your favourite newspaper publications online instead of reading the paper versions.

7. Create a video, a slideshow or a blog post of how you implemented these ideas and publish them publicly.

8. Regularly prepare home-cooked meals and save on takeaway storage containers.

9. Adopt pets instead of buying them from a breeder. There are so many orphaned pets out there who need a family. And the same can be said for children!

10. Stop accepting disposable cutlery and napkins.

11. Have a sniffle? Carry around your own handkerchief instead of using disposable tissues.

12. Use stainless steel drink bottles.

Do you have any more simple sustainable living tips?

If you do, make sure to add your voice and experience in the comments below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
100+ Simple Tips To Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This is a question Maša, and I have been asking ourselves over the years. Since 2014, we've primarily focused on pairing down and giving up the consumption of animal products. We're proud of these personal developments, but it's just a few aspects of what it means to consume mindfully.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
11. Bank and invest ethically

The most destructive projects don't get off the ground without finance from banks or investors.

Shun planet-wrecking practices by switching to an ethical bank. We recommend Triodos.

There's a growing movement to stop investing pensions in coal, oil and gas. Ask your employer where your pension money is invested.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Live sustainably: how to be a conscious consumer | Friends of the Earth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Do you want to purchase better products, waste less, and reduce your environmental impact? Then check out our ethical shopping and lifestyle tips to see how small, everyday changes can help make the world a better place.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
1. MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING PRODUCTS

When it comes to green cleaning, white vinegar is about to become your best friend. With a little elbow grease, you'll be able to tackle everything from your stinky garbage disposal to your mildew-y shower and grease-splattered cook top - all without any exposure to toxic chemicals.

2. BE WATER-WISE

Just .4% of the Earth's water is freshwater, and far too much of that gets wasted every day. You can make a huge impact by reducing your water usage, taking shorter showers, fixing any leaky pipes around the house, or even sticking something heavy into your toilet tank to reduce the amount that gets flushed down the drain.

3. GROW A GARDEN

Try growing your own food - and don't worry: it's easier than it looks! Simply plant a few seeds in a corner of your yard - or, if you're an apartment-dweller, on your porch or windowsill. You don't need acres: just a few square feet can provide enough space to grow a bounty of herbs, fruits, and vegetables.

If you own your home, look into getting solar panels. If you don't, or if an installation just isn't feasible, you can still make a difference by telling your utility that you want to get your energy from 100% renewable sources. And remember to turn the lights off every time you leave a room. The little things really do add up!

5. UNPLUG ELECTRONICS

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the cost of unused but plugged-in devices is around 19 billion dollars annually in the US and generates 44 million tons of carbon. Use power strips to make it easier to unplug several things at once, and make it a habit to leave things that you don't use everyday unplugged.

6. SPEAK UP

Speak with people in your community or inner circle about why you're passionate about nature and environmental justice, join climate protests like Fridays for the Future, support groups or coalitions who lean on power in numbers to affect change, or simply share your own positive actions with friends and family to spark their curiosity.

7. GREEN UP YOUR DIET

The food you eat every day has a huge impact on the planet. Adopting a sustainable dietcan go a long way. Opting for organic, supporting local farmers, and phasing out or at least lowering your consumption of meat will absolutely make a difference. It is also important to reduce food waste: try meal planning to streamline your shopping - and compost whatever you don't use.

8. LEARN YOUR LOCAL RECYCLING RULES

Waste guidelines can be confusing, so reach out to your local waste treatment facility to find out exactly what they accept. You can also check our tips on How to Recycle, and be surprised to learn some things you've been dutifully tossing in the bin (i.e. yogurt cups) get incinerated or baled and sent to third world countries.

9. PLANT ALL THE TREES

Trees help to stabilize our climate by absorbing pollution and sequestering carbon, while creating breathable oxygen. They also modulate temperatures, provide wildlife habitat, create a positive social impact, and so much more. Clearly, they're friends worth keeping in our corner. So plant a tree today!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When it comes to green cleaning, white vinegar is about to become your best friend. With a little elbow grease, you'll be able to tackle everything from your stinky garbage disposal to your mildew-y shower and grease-splattered cook top - all without any exposure to toxic chemicals.

# data[].attributes.headline
Video: What are the SDGs? Explained in under 10 minutes

# data[].attributes.subject
Video: What are the SDGs? Explained in under 10 minutes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Explained in 10 minutes or less

# data[].attributes.headline
Video introducing the Sustainable Development Goals

# data[].attributes.subject
Video introducing the Sustainable Development Goals

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
UN Sustainable Development Goals - Overview

# data[].attributes.headline
Ways to make your place of education more sustainable

# data[].attributes.subject
Ways to make your place of education more sustainable

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sustainability is a key factor in not just the business economy, but also education.

The cornerstone of the current UK government's Environment and Climate Change Bills is the obligation of companies and state bodies to commit to a carbon neutral future.

Education is at the heart of our society, and it is worthwhile exploring just how schools can embrace this positive change.

The upcoming generation are drivers of change, Greta Thunberg representing a shining example of how youth participation is crucial to the future of our planet and a vital beacon of sustainability.

Sustainable schools are a synergy of environmentally driven education and community engagement. They also foster an environment where teachers and school departments can cultivate an optimistic and progressive school culture.

Thus, teachers have more opportunities to devise unique green learning opportunities and students benefit through increased participation and productivity.

The journey to that goal of sustainability begins with educating students in a nurturing and sustainable environment and one that is engaging and enjoyable.

The list of tips below is by no means exhaustive but should provide you with some inspiration and reassurance. It need not be a hard road towards the goal of school sustainability and there is fun to be had along the way!

How to make your school more sustainable and eco-friendlier?

1. Active environmental learning

Get your pupils involved in active learning about the environment. Fill your classroom library with books that celebrate and share amazing facts about the Earth and environmental movement leaders like Greta Thunberg, Rachel Carson, and David Attenborough.

Don't wait for Earth Day; read child-friendly articles about plastic pollution and climate change throughout the year.

Students feel most powerful and engaged when they can connect their own lives to what's going on in the world. Students can calculate an average family's carbon footprint or study the "life cycle" of plastic (i.e., how it is made from oil, processed with chemicals, transported long distances, and often used only for minutes before being discarded).

Look at school lunch menus and rank them from least environmentally friendly (meat-based) to most environmentally friendly (vegetable-centred). Build students' activism for effective change by letting them choose an environmental issue they feel strongly about, conduct their own research, and figure out which politicians or corporations to contact about the issue.

2. Recycling as a craft exercise

Rubbish exists. It is all around us. Before discarding those broken headphones or plastic bottle caps, give Pinterest or Google a quick search for creative ideas to repurpose them. Or just place these items in a craft bin, and let your pupils get creative. Stock these types of items in a dedicated craft space and let the children create their own works of art/craft while giving a second life to what would otherwise be waste.

Also, have a donation bin in a central location, to encourage the collection of items that can be used in crafting and to stimulate the subject of waste and how best to utilise it in craft sessions. Crafting is a fun and fulfilling exercise with a tangible end product. Recycling can become an enjoyable part of the school curriculum and a valuable, practical form of education that engages and entertains pupils.

3. Classroom composting

Food waste is the biggest occupant of landfills in the UK. When food rots, it emits methane (CH ₄), a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO ₂). If we are serious about fighting climate change, then food waste should be a central focus.

If your school is not ready or able to take on all the food waste from your cafeteria, then classrooms can easily keep handy small containers (with tight lids) to catch any scraps from class snacks and teachers' lunches.

Many options are available for setting up a compost at school: vermicomposting (worm bins), asking a parent volunteer to add to their home compost, or partnering with a local farm that takes food scraps.

4. Re-use paper

Using both sides of your classroom paper is ideal. Keeping a "one-sided copies" bin handy helps make sure you are not recycling paper before it is used up. Anytime you're left with papers with one blank side (e.g. misprints), put them in your box. Then, the next time you have a one-sided copy to make, just take from that pile and use the blank side for printing.

In addition, designate one-sided copy bins by all copiers so that teachers can take from them as they make copies. Saving paper also cuts unnecessary costs. It will also inspire pupils to conserve paper. Another visible and valuable teaching aid.

5. Using sustainable IT

Brand new IT is costly. Not only in terms of your school's budget, but to the planet.

To quote just one statistic: in the mining, manufacture and production of a single laptop, 316 kg of CO₂ emissions are generated on average, all contributing to global warming. One way of avoiding such a fiscal and physical cost, without sacrificing quality, is to purchase remanufactured laptops. Circular Computing™ is the leading provider of remanufactured IT and education provision is at the heart of their business.

Jim Turner, the Network Manager at Chichester High School, said "the Circular Computing™ product range felt exactly as new and was exceptional compared to the usual stuff you associate with second hand. This product felt more like brand new, so much so that I recommended it up to the TKAT Multi-Academy Trust."

On top of the financial savings, there were significant sustainability benefits from their decision to buy Circular Computing™ laptops for education: "Good high quality, high spec and reliable machines that look just like new. The Circular Computing™ machines represented the best value for my budget."

6. Start a school gardening project

Teaching students about the food they eat takes on a whole new meaning when they grow it themselves.

Gardening can revitalise whole schools and offer students healthy food, and a deeper appreciation for their environment.

Improved health and wellbeing; better attention levels in class, higher academic achievement and strengthening links with the local community are also some of the ways gardening can help your whole school flourish.

There is no need to have massive plots of land either - even the smallest school grounds can accommodate herbs and salad leaves in tubs and planters, for example. Some of the more ambitious schools in the UK have created mini 'farms' in their school grounds, complete with chickens and even pigs.

As well as involving the pupils in learning about growing food, this is a great opportunity to engage your catering staff - ask them what crops they'd like to see grown in the school gardens that they can use in school dinners - children are much more likely to eat fresh produce and try different foods if they've grown it from scratch.

7. Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is not as arduous as it sounds.

Turn off school lights and shut down your computers at the end of the day. Keep your classroom doors shut to stop heat escaping and do not block heaters. Check the energy consumption of your appliances and make it a major consideration when buying new ones and always purchase energy efficient light bulbs.

For creating environmentally friendly classrooms, make sure they are well insulated and use sustainable materials for repairs and re-building. These are all incremental steps which ensure overall sustainability in your school.

This will also encourage pupils to employ energy efficient behaviour in their day-to-day living, thus spreading the sustainability message beyond the classroom and into their own homes. It's a useful follow-on lesson.

8. Advocate zero waste at school events

When it comes to sustainable school grounds, don't forget the events where not only your pupils attend, but the whole community leaves their larger green footprint.

Firstly, determine how much food you need to serve guests. Whether it's a PTA meeting, a school disco or a football match, calculate to eliminate any food waste.

Always opt for packaging that is fully recyclable and made from recycled content. Also, look for items with the least amount of packaging, such as condiment dispensers over individual packets. Consider bulk purchases with compostable or easily recyclable wrappers, which will in turn be able to be reused in crafting activities (see tip #2 above).

Adopting a zero-waste policy (or as near as is possible) is also cost effective.

9. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products

Start by cleaning with green products in your classrooms. Read the labels and be aware of any of them that have cautions or warnings. This is a sign that they might have environmentally harmful ingredients. Also encourage other teachers and administration to take a close look at the products they are using in your school, from cleaning the cafeteria tables to the gym floors.

Using products with no artificial products will also reduce possible allergic reactions such as asthma or contact dermatitis, also their packaging will most likely be readily recyclable or recycled. This will aid your journey towards school sustainability and protect your pupils from harmful and often harsh chemicals.

10. Encourage walking to school

Walking is a great form of exercise; it invigorates and can be very therapeutic.

For school pupils, promoting walking to school, when, practical, is another component part of the sustainability voyage. Encourage pupils to walk to school by having a walk to school awards chart where you get to add a sticker for every day you walk to school (or at least part of the route) and each half term give a certificate to all pupils with the most stickers. Or if that feels too much then choose a day of the week where you encourage everyone who can to walk to school and make a point of it in a school assembly. Those designated days can form a vital part of your school's sustainability profile.

For children who do not want, or who are not ready, to walk to school unaccompanied, there are several alternatives.

The Walking Bus scheme, for example, enables children to walk to school in safe, supervised groups. The Walking Bus concept is a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly approach to walking large groups of children to and from school.

Each walking bus has an adult 'driver' at the front and an adult 'conductor' at the rear. The children walk to school in a group along a set route picking up additional 'passengers' at specific 'bus stops' along the way. The bus runs in all weather conditions and everyone wears a reflective jacket.

Each walking bus is different, as they are developed to suit the needs of children and their parents.

Walking, not only beneficial to pupils' health, helps to reduce traffic emissions and is a win-win for both parent and child. Parents can be inspired to walk with their child and build it into their week's exercise activity. It dissuades unnecessary car journeys and saves not just the planet but household budgets into the bargain.

Conclusion: sustainability is within your reach

'Rome wasn't built in a day' is a useful cliché when approaching the idea of school sustainability. Hopefully, the tips suggested above are eminently achievable as part of a programme that is practical and incremental. Even the smallest of steps can prove to be invaluable, not just for your school's green credentials, but likewise your school's budget.

As said at the outset, children are the future and can be great agents of change. Actively encouraging them both educationally and socially to be part of a sustainability framework can give them a life-long love of nature as well as a sense of shared responsibility for the planet and their local community. The school composting and gardening tips alone are the staple for many a school sustainability journey. And the fun element cannot be underrated either, it is constructive and inclusive and incorporates ideas that pupils and teachers can easily relate to.

Think about it and give these tips serious consideration. Remember: sustainability is within your reach.

-
Written by Sean Urquhart - Lead Copywriter at Circular Computing™

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Great Ways To Make Your School More Sustainable

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sustainability is a key factor in not just the business economy, but also education. The cornerstone of the current UK government's Environment and Climate Change Bills is the obligation of companies and state bodies to commit to a carbon neutral future. Education is at the heart of our society, and it is worthwhile exploring just ...

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Ways to be more Sustainable as a Student

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Ways to be more Sustainable as a Student

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Biofriendly Planet | For a Cooler Environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Environmental problems are at the top of the list of the most relevant issues. In response to this issue, more and more people are getting started with a sustainable lifestyle and taking care of the ecology. You might think you need to change a lot of your daily habits to do this but, in fact, becoming more conscious and eco-friendly is much easier than it might seem, especially for students. Below are ten easy steps towards becoming more sustainable as a student.

10 Ways to Be a More Sustainable Student

Can one student change the state of the environment? Well, every student who begins to change their lifestyle in order to protect the environment will be able to make real changes to the overall picture. Below you will find simple tips to change not only the ecological situation, but also change your life for the better.

1. Reduce Plastic Use and Sort Your Trash

The first point to start is to try to reduce plastic consumption. How to do it? Give preference to products that have eco-friendly packaging, avoid plastic tableware, and so on. If you can't completely isolate yourself from plastic products, then be sure to sort the garbage. This is an important step on the sustainable path.

2. Get A Coffee Mug and Refillable Bottle

According to statistics, students drink coffee for various reasons, but it does tend to be a daily ritual. Whatever your reason, there's no question coffee consumption by students directly affects the volume of waste stemming from paper cups and plastic lids. To reduce it, consider buying a reusable coffee mug for these purposes. The same goes for the water bottle. Grab a refillable water bottle and take a big step in the fight against plastic.

3. Buy a Bamboo Toothbrush

A bamboo toothbrush is a must-have for every eco-conscious person. Firstly, such toothbrushes are eco-friendly. Secondly, they are really pleasant to use and more effective than plastic toothbrushes.

Why choose an eco-friendly brush? Just imagine it could take 400 years to recycle one toothbrush. Now let's remember the recommendation from the dentist that your toothbrush should be changed every three months. As a result, this is a minimum of four toothbrushes per year. Using a bamboo toothbrush generates less plastic waste and is better for the environment.

4. Choose Eco Transport

Many students may want to buy a car but, if you think logically, the need for this type of transport is not always so significant. If you are living near the university, then it is quite possible to get there by bicycle. Riding a bicycle to campus will reduce emissions into the environment. It can also help put you in a good mood and even improve your health. Riding the bus, carpooling or taking the train can be other eco-friendly options. Give preference to eco transport whenever it is reasonable.

5. Eat Healthy Food

Redefining your approach to nutrition can also help you to join the green community. Most of the food students choose involves various packaging and containers that take a long time to decompose. Therefore, if you switch to a healthy diet, choose fresh fruits and vegetables and prepare your own food, this can change the situation for the better. Moreover, it will benefit not only the environment, but also your health.

6. Save Energy

Everyone talks about saving their time, but they sometimes forget about saving energy. Let's say, for example, you left your laptop on charge for a whole day, even though it is already fully charged. During this time, your laptop continues to consume power. Therefore, make it a habit to turn off all devices and equipment. This can save between $100 and $200 per year. Turning off lights in room not in use can also help save energy.

7. Control Your Water Consumption

It is worth paying attention to water consumption too. For example, when you brush your teeth, you can turn off the water until you need it to rinse your brush. There is research that shows by 2030, demand for freshwater will exceed supply by 40%. So, it is worth considering using water rationally. Perhaps you can shorten your time in the shower or save water while washing dishes, too.

8. Choose Eco-Friendly Shopping

Even a change in the way we shop can have a positive impact on the environment. Most stores, today, strive to be eco-friendly. For example, in some stores, you can come with your containers, glass jars or bottles to buy cereals and other bulk products.

Many other stores have begun using more eco-friendly packaging and safe products. So, even the choice of a store can affect the environment and this is a good chance to create changes in ecology.

The same goes for fashion. Consider buying one high-quality outfit instead of five from the mass, fast fashion market. Better yet, opt for eco fashion over conventional clothing.

9. Choose Used or Recycled Notebooks and Books

Did you know, the average US person uses 700 pounds of paper per year? For this reason, it is worth paying attention to what you buy. Today there are notebooks created from recycled materials, which can do a lot to help save the forests. In addition, the cost of such notebooks are typically in the same range as ordinary ones. And such notebooks and notepads also have excellent designs for every taste.

In some instances, you may be able to buy books from other students who no longer need them, or even suggest an exchange. If you change your mindset to think with not always having to buy new, you'll save some money and benefit the environment.

10. Join Campus Activists

There is no doubt there are activists on your campus, or within your college community, who are committed to eco-friendly goals. Such communities are a good way to make positive changes, find like-minded people and learn a lot of new interesting information. Also, such communities often create various programs for students to allow them to learn more about environmental issues. You will also be able to better dwell on your experience when writing sociology and ecology papers.

Wrapping Up

Following these tips is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The benefit is, you save the environment, make your life better, and even save a little money. Isn't becoming sustainable worth it?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Ways to Be More Sustainable As a Student

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An eco-friendly lifestyle is much easier than it might seem, especially for students. Here are 10 ways to be more sustainable as a student.