An Eco-Friendly Guide For College Students – Easy and Affordable!

Guys, college is rough. You’re broke and clueless and permanently tired, not to mention constantly busy. It’s an equally exciting and stressful time, which can make environmentalism seem too difficult to worry about. As a college student myself, I’ve heard many of my peers argue that they don’t have the means, the time, or frankly the energy to worry about the environment.

As an environmentalist, it bums me out to hear when someone doesn’t see the Earth as a priority. As a college student, though, I relate to the struggle.

That’s why I’ve compiled this list of what I believe to be doable ways for college students to be environmentally conscious. I do these, and definitely find them to be reasonable!

1. No paper towels

This can be especially difficult if you’re living in a dorm. But as the post Environmentalism for Beginners explains, having towels on hand is a simple fix and saves money. And my fellow college attendees know how important saving money is.

If you live in a dorm with a communal bathroom, you may have to use paper towels, unless you are dedicated enough to bring your own. If you must use them, be sure to use as little as possible to get the job done.

2. Eat Less Meat

Whether you get food from your dining halls or your grocery stores, try to eat meat less often. Meat production and the meat industry in general plays a huge role in pollution and carbon emissions, which in turn worsens just about any major environmental issue plaguing us today. You could try out Meatless Monday, which many environmentalists participate in to reduce their meat intake. Find other ways to get protein, or choose poultry over red meat. Meats like chicken have less of an environmental impact, and are often better for your health anyway.

If you’re really dedicated, you can try out going vegetarian or vegan. I’ve yet to succeed in making that switch, so kudos to you if you do!

3. Unplug

This is just what it sounds like! Unplug your fans, computers, microwave, and whatever else except when in use. And don’t leave these items on and running, either.  If you live in a house or apartment, you’ll enjoy the lower electricity bill.

4. Adjust your Thermostat

To save energy (and money), the U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees or warmer while you’re home in the summer, and 85 degrees or off while you’re away. For winter, they recommend 68 degrees or cooler while you’re home and 55 degrees or cooler at night or when you are away.

Also consider how appliances and windows may be heating or cooling your home. Utilize a fan to keep cool and let sunshine in to help with warmth. These strategies can keep you from wanting to adjust the thermostat and help you maintain the recommended temperatures.

5. Get a Water Filter

I can’t tell you how many college students I’ve seen who buy a bunch of plastic water bottles because they don’t wanna drink the tap water in their apartment, or they don’t wanna go fill up their water in the dorm hall. Keep a filter on hand so you always have access to fresh water without the plastic waste. Use a reusable bottle when you need water on the go.

6. Thrift Shop

Better deals and reusing items means a happier wallet and a healthier Earth. I’m a huge fan of thrift shopping; some of my favorite outfits are entirely from resale stores! And I feel pretty good about myself when I buy a dress for 5 dollars. For the college student dealing with loans and independent living costs, thrift stores can offer a smarter way to shop, as well as a way to recognize the value of reusing and recycling.

This also means donating your own items when you no longer need them! If a friend doesn’t need it, it’s likely someone else will.

7. Batch Cook Your Meals

If you’re one of the lucky college students not living in a dorm and relying on dining hall food, you have the opportunity to put more thought into what you eat and how it’s made. When you decide to cook, consider cooking enough for multiple meals, and save the leftovers for later or for a roommate to eat. This decreases the amount of energy used to cook. It also gives you a quicker meal for when you may be busy or between classes. Just make sure you store your leftovers in a reusable container!

8. Walk/bike

Conveniently, college campuses tend to be compact, often with stores, restaurants, and entertainment nearby. This makes it easy to choose biking or even walking over taking your car somewhere. If your school is large enough to have its own bus system, utilize it for longer trips you may not want to take on your bike.

9.  Reusable grocery (and produce) bags

The hardest part about this switch is remembering to bring your bags to the store. The first time I forgot, I was halfway to the store, but I made myself drive back and get them anyway. I haven’t forgotten since! You can usually find reusable bags cheap, and you may already have some. I’ve never had a grocery store not let me use them, and I also bring them to malls and clothing stores.

The plastic you use and throw out will exist far longer than you do. Make the switch to lighten landfills, protect marine life, and limit harmful gas emissions. Plus, you can use those bags for more than just shopping!

10.  Say Goodbye to Plastic Straws

Often times, dining halls will have straws for residents to use. It’s easy to choose not to partake and just sip from the glass. Same goes for restaurants: ask your waiter not to give you a straw. You can avoid this with fast food by bringing your own drink.

If you have the need for a straw, you can buy metal reusable straws online.

I think it’s important to start these actions as a college student, when you’re really discovering who you are and creating habits you may carry with you for life. College students are living through the destruction of our planet and will be left with the mess our older generations have left behind. We can have a huge impact on the future of our planet. Be a part of it!

Looking for more tips? Check out Environmentalism for Beginners for more advice on getting started.

Are you a college student? How do you keep the environment in mind while in school? If something is missing from my list, comment below!