New term, new start - 10 ways to be an eco-friendly student

Published 23 February 2018

Being a student is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

Check out our tips on how to be a sustainable student and save.

Imagine if you had the secret to spending less, saving more, and helping the environment. If you had simple ways to be more self-sufficient and to live your values. Wouldn’t that be great?

Here's a jump-start of daily hacks and ideas for a new start as an eco-friendly, green and sustainable student.

1. Healthy food

Fruit and veggies are healthy and cheaper than you think if you buy in bulk (Bin Inn, Spice Rack), shop at the market (don’t forget your long life Boomerang bag) or grow your own. You may even get some freebies if you get involved with a community garden. 

Read our top tips to reduce food waste here, and don’t forget to reuse old containers, jars and DIY or buy some beeswax wraps for litter-less lunches and snacks. 

2. Getting around

Cars are a money pit and there are so many low-cost alternatives – walking, cycling, and public transport of course! When you do need some wheels, try Mevo electric car share, carpooling with Chariot, or Kavale, the ethical alternative to Uber boasting the cheapest rates in NZ. 

3. Drink all day, every day

Stand out from the reusable-water-bottle crowd with a stainless steel Ecotanka bottle. Super-strong, plastic-free, and they come in cool silver, red or blue.

And don’t even imagine a day without coffee - a KeepCup is the answer! Use it any time – the essential morning brew, your flatmate’s emergency stash of instant, a special treat from a café, and at all the festivals.

4. Insulation check

Your home needs to be insulated properly to be warm and energy-efficient. If not, you could be headed towards a nasty winter with expensive heating bills!  If it’s missing or not up to code, then ask your landlord to insulate. It’s a legal requirement and as a student you may be able to help them get 50% off insulation. Find out more.

5. Notes to remember

Capture those thoughts in writing, with a unique Misprint notepad. Repurposed from business waste paper, these pages are good on one side (GOOS) and ready for your ramblings. A nifty way to divert waste from landfill, and they look awesome too.

6. Gamify green routines

Turn green living into a game (with rewards) and you’ll find it much more fun and easy to stick to. Get started with the essential My EcoHome, My Castle resources with tips to save water, energy and choose the right heater. Can you start a zero-waste competition with your friends? Whip up a colourful recycling chart so it's easy to know what to do and when?

7. Clean home, calm mind

It doesn’t have to cost the earth to keep a clean home. You can avoid expensive and dangerous chemicals by using natural cleaners – white vinegar is great, especially for mould. Figgy & Co Home Cleaning Liquid concentrate is a great alternative made from natural ingredients. It can be used for cleaning, laundry, and even as a base for making soaps and shampoos. Or make your own with these recipes!

8. Waste-free

It's surprisingly easy to reduce your waste with this Waste Warrior guide. Go Bamboo toothbrushes and cotton wool buds, dish brushes and clothes pegs are great day-to-day alternatives to disposable and avoidable plastics.

Reincarnating your food scraps as compost via a Bokashi bin will really reduce the amount of waste you send to landfill, and save $$ on bin bags. 

9. There’s an app for that

Get money and eco-saving help at your fingertips with apps that save the world. From ethical shopping guides to help you say no to animal testing, to real-time climate campaigns you can get involved with and more.

10. The Flatting Guide Bible

Whether you are just starting or renewing a tenancy, Vic Uni’s flatting guide is an incredible useful resource. It covers essential information from finding a flat to running costs and your legal rights too.