Sustainability

Eco-hacks for students: sustainable living on a budget

By ResLifeComms 09 Aug 2023

One of the biggest barriers to living more sustainably is the perception that being more eco-friendly is a pursuit only possible if you have a certain degree of disposable income. Whilst there are certainly ways this statement can be true, on the whole sustainable living can be done on a budget (and could actually save you money in the long term!)

How can you start?

Okay, so you want to reduce your carbon footprint, and do what you can to leave less of a negative imprint on our precious planet. But your bank statement isn’t looking too healthy (relatable). How can you be environmentally conscious when picking the Eurostar costs 30% more than a flight? When more sustainable clothes cost significantly more than fast fashion options? These are legitimate barriers to sustainable living.

The first place to start though if you’re on a budget is thinking how you can reduce your consumption and treasure items you already own. A zero-waste lifestyle does not require an overhaul of everything you already own and do, in fact, buying a load of new items really flies in the face of sustainability.

Our top FREE things YOU can do

Only buy food you know you are going to eat and get smart with freezing or using up leftovers. Food waste contributes 8% of global GHG emissions, and household food waste is a big part of this.
Switch off lights, heating, and electrical appliances whenever possible to conserve energy. When you’re not living in halls this will save you money on your bills too, so it’s a good practice to get into.
Preserve water. It is such a precious resource – can you save some time off your showers, for example by turning off when using shampoo? Ensure you don’t leave the tap running when you wash up or brush your teeth.
Reuse your shopping bags again and again rather than contributing to the plastic crisis.

Get swapping and sharing: could you do a clothes or book swap with friends?
Recycle your waste correctly and look for easy swaps to items that come in less packaging in the supermarket. Read the info on the posters in your kitchen to get you started.
Eat more local, seasonal, and plant-based food. LSE Catering uses carbon impact labelling system on all hot dishes, so if you’re in a catered hall or on campus, you can choose the low carbon food option.
Talk to your friends, family and colleagues about what lifestyle changes you are making. Creating a sustainable society which will be more resilient against the climate crisis requires us all to make small changes, and nudges from peers is one of the best ways to encourage change in others.