9 ways to reduce your waste as a college student on a budget

By Sarah Dills

Published February 13, 2022

As we continue to learn more about how our actions negatively affect the environment, many of us feel compelled to change our lifestyle to reduce our contributions. However, buying more sustainable products and living an eco-friendly lifestyle can cost more than many people can afford- especially college students. Most of us are already living off a limited budget, so it is unrealistic to expect us to be able to afford many of the sustainable alternatives. As college students continue to ball on a budget and survive exclusively on ramen noodles and PB&Js, there are still ways we can reduce our impact on the environment. Below are some easy and inexpensive ways to reduce your waste while in college.

1. Research the recycling rules of your city. Many cities and counties have different rules for what can and can’t be recycled. It is easy to mix up what is recyclable and what is not, especially in a new place. Make sure to check in with your city to make sure you are recycling correctly. Most governments’ websites make a list of what can be recycled, like this one of Fort Collins’ A to Z recyclables.

2. Check in with your school’s sustainability clubs. Most universities have clubs that work to reduce the school’s waste and give tips to students to reduce their individual waste. Some of the sustainability clubs at Colorado State University include the Student Sustainability Center Club and the Zero Waste Team. Try attending a meeting or looking at the websites/ social media accounts to find more information.

3. Buy textbooks electronically or borrow from the library. Buying physical textbooks that you will only use for one semester is both a waste of materials and money. Online textbooks are usually less expensive and, once the class is over, you don’t have to deal with disposing of or selling the book. Also, check in with your university’s library and see if you can borrow the book from them. This saves you from paying for the book and from the book ending up in a landfill.

4. Work electronically. With all of our technologies that continue to improve, it is as easy as ever to do schoolwork electronically. Because of COVID-19, many college courses have reduced the use of paper in the classroom. By taking notes and doing assignments virtually, we can reduce the amount of paper we waste. If you do need to print something out, make sure to print double-sided to limit the number of pages you use.

5. Don’t grab every freebie on campus. College campuses are known for handing out a lot of promotional freebies, especially during the beginning of semesters. When stopping at the job, club, resource, and brand tables, think twice before taking a flyer or promotional item. Do you really need a cheap rubber bracelet and a bandana with a bank logo on it or are you just accustomed to saying “yes” to free things? Unless you are genuinely interested in learning more information or know that you will 100% put that sticker on your laptop, say “no” to the fliers and freebies.

6. Buy your food in bulk. One thing about college students is that we LOVE our snacks. Unfortunately, food waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. One way to combat this is by buying your food and snacks in bulk. In the long run, purchasing in bulk saves money, as well as reduces the frequency of grocery trips. With bulk purchases, you are also reducing the amount of packaging that gets used. Though the purchases can seem more expensive, there are many long-term benefits that outweigh the costs.

7. Shop second-hand. When students move to college, they are usually in need of a lot of new things they probably haven’t owned before, like kitchenware and furniture. Instead of heading straight to Target, Amazon, or Bed Bath and Beyond, check out a local thrift store. People often donate plates, mugs, chairs, wall decor, and countless other items that are useful for college kids. It is often less expensive to buy these things second-hand, plus you will have unique items that are different from the plasticware many students seem to buy in their freshman year.

8. Invest in reusables. A very common problem on college campuses (and everywhere) is the frequent use of disposable products. When buying coffee, going out to eat, or having a meal at a dining hall, bring your own reusable cups, utensils, straws, and to-go containers. When going shopping, bring your own reusable bags to skip out on the plastic bags. Instead of purchasing plastic water bottles, buy a metal water bottle that will last you years. (By the way, these investments don’t have to break the bank! All of the products linked above are less than $15.)

9. Reuse your plastic shopping bags. If you happen to forget your reusable bags at home, don’t panic! The plastic bags you get from the store can be reused as trash bags, doggie pick up bags, or, if you’re feeling artsy, make some crafts. You can save money on buying bags or craft materials and there are less unnecessary plastic bags in the landfills. If you don’t have a need to reuse your bags, you can find drop-off locations near you.

Articles and people on the internet often make us feel like we need to change every aspect of our lives to become more sustainable and make a positive impact on the environment. However, there are ways that we can make changes without spending a huge amount of money. The most important step is educating ourselves on what the problem is and how we contribute- any further changes we are able to make is a step further in the right direction. As long as we keep an eye open to the little ways we can reduce our waste, we are doing our part!