6 simple ways to be more sustainable at uni

Trying to make more ethical choices can be difficult at the best of times, let alone when you’re a student on a tight budget! Luckily I’ve come up with a few super simple ways to not only save a few pennies but also live in a more sustainable way.

Here’s a few examples of ways to cut down and reuse the everyday items in your house.

1. Reusable cups

An example of a keep cup available from Caffe Nero

One of the biggest changes I’ve made recently is investing in a reusable keep cup. Not only are these a great way to cut down your plastic waste that comes from takeaway cups, a lot of cafes will offer you a discount if you use a reusable cup – win win!

2. Tote bags

Along with that, little things such as using bags for life or tote bags at the supermarket to cut down on plastic can also save you a lot of money in the long run. Instead of constantly buying single use plastic bags that you probably bin after one use, investing in a sturdy bag that can be used multiple times will save you money in the long run. If you’re looking for a tote bag that’s a fashion staple as well as a practical item, Flying Tiger have some great ones!

3. Metal straws

My favourite tip of them all is to buy some metal straws! Even though a lot of businesses have finally cut out plastic straws and opted for a more eco-friendly alternative, a lot of people complain about paper straws going soggy so metal is the perfect alternative. Super easy to pop in your bag and use whenever you fancy – they’re only a few quid and last for years.

4. Share meals

A super easy way to cut down on your waste is to do shared house meals a few times a week. Not only does this save you the hassle of having to cook for yourself everyday, it also cuts down on your food waste and the amount you buy each week. It doesn’t have to be super complicated either, something as simple as a spag-bol always goes down well!

5. Cut down your load

Alongside this, try and do your washing together by making sure you do your blacks or coloured washes as a house! This makes sure that you’ve got a full load when using your washing machine, so you’re not wasting water and electricity running the machine when it’s only half full.

6. Go meat free

I appreciate not everyone wants to transition into a vegetarian lifestyle. However, cooking just one night a week that’s meat free is not only beneficial to the planet, it’s the equivalent to taking 240 million cars off the road each year – you’ll also find the meals are much cheaper to make. So not only are you branching out, trying new meals and saving money, you’re also doing your bit to make the planet a little bit greener!

Hopefully you found these little tips helpful, and you’ll find that making little changes can have such a positive impact!