College — a time for new beginnings, meeting new people, and figuring out who you are. I remember when I was a freshman, I was totally… LOST. I had no idea how to do my taxes, how to do laundry (beyond the basics), or how to cook an edible meal. I had no idea how to be an adult. It was a lot to handle all at once!
But, one thing that I did have a handle on was my commitment to living a zero-waste lifestyle. When I moved into my college dorm, I made a vow that I would do everything in my power to reduce my waste and live as sustainably as possible.
Fast-forward ten years, and I’m proud to say that I’ve stuck to my zero-waste goals all the way to graduation, and of course, until now when I’m a working adult.
If you’re a college student looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle but don’t know where to start, this post is for you! Below are five simple ways to go zero-waste in college without too much hassle!
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
One of the simplest ways to reduce your waste is to BYOB (bring your own bag) whenever you go shopping. This includes bringing your reusable shopping bags as well as reusable produce bags.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be strictly just bags. Bring your cup for iced coffee, bring your water bottle, and bring your Tupperware for leftovers. Basically, if you can think of it, there’s a good chance that you can find a reusable alternative for it!
Say NO to Single-Use Plastic
This one is a no-brainer. Whenever possible, say no to single-use plastic. This includes water bottles, plastic straws, plastic wrap, and even those little plastic shopping bags.
If you find yourself using single-use plastic regularly, see if there’s a reusable alternative that you can switch to instead. For example, you could use a metal water bottle or reusable straw instead of a plastic one.
You could also try to avoid using disposables altogether. For example, instead of paper towels, use a dishcloth that can be washed and reused.
Buy in Bulk
One of the best ways to reduce your waste is to buy in bulk. This means buying items like grains, cereals, pasta, nuts, and seeds from the bulk section of your grocery store. When you buy in bulk, you can bring your reusable containers to fill up with as much or as little as you need.
This not only reduces packaging waste, but it can also save you money in the long run! Also, buying in bulk will help you save money by reducing the number of trips you have to make to the store.
Thrift Your Clothes
College can be a time when you’re constantly changing your style and trying new things, so why not do it sustainably? Thrifting is not only better for the environment, but it’s also usually cheaper than buying new clothes. So, next time you’re looking for a new outfit, consider checking out your local thrift store first!
Are you sparkling new to clothes thrifting? Read my beginner’s guide to clothes thrifting here and be ready to run to your nearest Goodwill!
Cook Your Own Food
You have to eat anyway, so you might as well save some money and reduce your waste by cooking your food! Cooking at home will not only help you save money, but it will also help you avoid all of the packaging waste that comes with eating out or getting takeout.
With a tight student budget, you might be thinking that you can’t afford to cook your meals. But, the truth is that eating out is almost always more expensive than cooking at home. Not to mention, when you cook at home, you have the potential to save even more money by meal prepping or batch cooking.
Meal prepping is when you cook a bunch of food at once and then portion it out for the week. This can be a great way to save time and money during busy weeks.
Batch cooking is when you cook a large quantity of one recipe and then freeze the leftovers for another time. This is perfect for when you don’t have the time or energy to cook from scratch.
Read a Ride? Share a Ride!
Try to carpool or use public transportation instead of driving everywhere yourself whenever possible. If you have to drive somewhere, see if you can carpool with a friend or take public transportation instead. You could also look into alternatives to driving, like biking or walking.
If you live in a dorm or on-campus, you won’t have a car anyway. In that case, make use of your school’s shuttle system or rent a bike from your campus bike share program (if they have one).
Recycle, Reuse, and Donate
When it comes to waste reduction, recycling is just the beginning. You can do even more to reduce your waste by reusing and donating items instead of throwing them away.
For example, instead of buying brand new textbooks every semester, try to find used ones online or from other students. You could also donate your old textbooks to a local library or thrift store instead of throwing them away.
Another example is clothes. Instead of getting rid of clothes, you don’t wear anymore, try to donate them or sell them secondhand. This way, someone else can get use out of them, and you can make a little bit of money in the process!
The Bottom Line
Your college time is the perfect opportunity to shape your adult life, from learning to be independent to figuring out your future career path. It’s also a great time to start thinking about your impact on the environment and how you can make more sustainable choices. Going zero waste in college is a great way to do your part for the planet while also saving money.
Ten years from now, you’ll look back on your college days and be proud that you chose to live sustainably!
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