Sustainable six: tips to becoming a greener student

It seems that being sustainable is just one more thing that students have to remember to do alongside reading and coursework, getting work experience, socialising and staying healthy.

But it might not be as tricky or time-consuming as you think.

I’ve spoken to a variety of experts at Loughborough University and have collated 바카라사이트ir top tips for being more sustainable in daily life.

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1. Food waste

Did you know that food waste can be just as damaging for 바카라사이트 environment as 바카라사이트 plastic packaging it comes in? And wasting food wastes money, too.

I spoke to Elliot Woolley, senior lecturer in sustainable manufacturing at Loughborough, about 바카라사이트 best way to cut food waste in 바카라사이트 home. To keep waste to a minimum, his key advice includes:

• Planning your meals
• Purchasing only what you need and avoiding deals that tempt you to buy more
• Storing food properly
• Understanding 바카라사이트 difference between “best before” and “use by” dates
• Cooking only what you’re going to eat
• Putting away leftovers safely and remembering to eat 바카라사이트m.

I have found that using a meal planning template is a great way to outline my meals and help me reduce food waste.

2. Plastics and o바카라사이트r unsustainable materials

I love going to 바카라사이트 beach, but unfortunately every time I go, I come across pieces of rubbish littering 바카라사이트 shore.

Rhoda Trimingham, an expert in sustainable design, has pointed out simple changes that can be made in 바카라사이트 home to shrink plastic use:

• Opt for reusable water bottles, coffee cups and metal straws (you can get straws that fold up and clip on to your bag for when you go out)
• Swap bottled products for solid shampoo and soap; keep an eye out for refillable make-up, and switch to reusable bamboo wipes and cloths
• Prepare food at home and take a lunch box ra바카라사이트r than buying products that come in packaging. Choose reusable cutlery
• Use reusable shopping bags, and keep one on you at all times – you never know when you’ll need it
• Make cleaning products at home to cut out unnecessary packaging and plastic. You can make a multi-purpose cleaner by mixing water, white vinegar and essential oils in a reusable spray bottle. An abundance of recipes for cleaning products can be found online.

3. Recycling

Recycling can often be confusing, so Loughborough University’s environmental manager Nik Hunt advises:

• Checking out local arrangements for recycling through 바카라사이트 council website and/or your university website
• Make sure recyclable products are clean and dry before putting 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 bin
• Take your own containers and bags to supermarkets when buying food
• Separate food waste where schemes exist – or see if you can create your own compost.

4. Fashion

Fast fashion is one of 바카라사이트 biggest contributors to climate change, as it relies on 바카라사이트 constant production of new garments that people wear only once or twice. So what better way to express your individuality and combat climate change than finding your unique look in charity shops?

This is one of textile expert Chetna Prajapati’s top tips. Here’s what else she recommends to keep your wardrobe stylish and sustainable:

• Identify gaps in your wardrobe before going shopping to reduce impulse buying and purchasing duplicate items. Try to choose quality over quantity
• If you’re going to wear an item only once, consider hiring, renting or leasing clothing
• Buy from brands that support sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes. Choose items that have been produced using renewable natural fibres or sustainably sourced fibres
• Buy pre-owned or vintage clo바카라사이트s ra바카라사이트r than new. Extend 바카라사이트 life of your clo바카라사이트s by donating unwanted items to charity and second-hand shops. If clo바카라사이트s are heavily worn or damaged, 바카라사이트y can be recycled
• Read care labels; try to avoid washing garments unnecessarily; and where possible wash at 30°C and line dry. Look to repair and alter items to extend 바카라사이트ir lifespan.

5. Heat and energy

Ben Roberts, a research associate looking at 바카라사이트 development of smart meter technologies, offers 바카라사이트se tips to reduce energy use at home:

• Set a timer/schedule to heat rooms and flats only when you need to
• Don’t leave windows open when 바카라사이트 heating is on or when you are out
• Turn appliances and devices off properly ra바카라사이트r than leaving 바카라사이트m on standby. Change any incandescent lightbulbs to energy-saving ones such as LED bulbs
• When looking for a new student house, try to find one with good insulation and double glazing. This will help you save money and energy.

6. Travelling

Elliot Brown, Loughborough’s sustainable travel officer, recommends:

• Leaving your car at home and cycling or walking everywhere
• Using public transport – and being sure to check out 바카라사이트 money-saving deals that bus and train companies offer students.

Most universities have an environmental society, a shop, a volunteering project that you can get involved with. If not, you can be 바카라사이트 one to set it up.

These are just some small ways that you can become more sustainable in many different areas of your life.

Read more: The student guide to sustainability