Students - ready to ace the eco-game while acing your exams? Dive into my quick guide to mastering sustainability at university. From nifty energy hacks to savvy shopping tips, discover how you can do your bit for the planet (and your wallet) without missing a beat of campus life. Your brighter, greener future starts now!
Become a Flexitarian – cutting down on eating meat is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, but you don’t necessarily need to go all out vegan straight away. Why not try having a meat-free day or two to get started? Here in Bath, there are many vegetarian and vegan places to try; on campus, we have the Parade, which serves delicious, plant-based dishes. Did you know? A plant-based diet could make your food shop a third cheaper.
Save money on bus fares and reduce your carbon footprint by checking out the SU Bike and Equipment Hire. You can hire bikes, helmets and padlocks on a weekly basis. A quick tip: when cycling up the hill, avoid Bathwick – instead, cycle up the less busy hills of North Road and Widcombe.
Refill, Refill, Refill… A simple way to live plastic-free is to reuse and refill products such as nuts, pasta and more! On campus, we have Fresh and The Market offer refills. If you’re in the city, pay a visit to Bath’s local plastic-free shops, Refillable located on London Road and Scoop on Lower Bristol Road.
For clothes that you love but that need some TLC, head down to the city to ‘Share + Repair’ on George Street, where you can mend and borrow from the Bath Library of Things. Don’t forget to stop by the repair café in the SU – catch the next one on Tuesday, 13th February.
Want to pay only £2.50 for your next meal on campus? Munchbox is an easy way to help reduce food waste on campus whilst saving money. The Munchbox scheme is available at the following food outlets: Lime Tree, Sports Café, Fountain lunch hall and the Pavilion. Remember to bring your own tupperware!
Reusable Period Products can help you save money and lower your environmental impact. Period products can cost up to £130 a year and £4,490 over a lifetime, whereas a menstrual cup costs around £20 and lasts up to 10 years. Fun fact: using a menstrual cup can save the equivalent of 3,780 plastic carrier bags.
Another tip for the foodies – check out the app ‘Too Good to Go’ where you can purchase short-dated food from the Market and Fresh at a discounted price.
Invest in reusable water bottles and download the app Refill (made in Bristol!), where you can find your nearest free tap water point – some locations even offer free sparkling water.
Energy bills can be expensive, so here’s a simple life hack: when making pasta, place a lid on your pot and turn the heat down. This helps reduce energy consumption and speeds up cooking time.
Stay up to date with events and learn more top tips, by checking out new student sustainability calendar and sustainability guide.
Want to know more about the climate agenda? Sign up for our next Climate Literacy workshop, taking place on Monday 4th December. You'll have the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and a certification (great to add to your CV too) because you are never too small to make a difference!
Thank you for reading this eco guide. Embrace the power you hold as a change-maker. Together, we can turn this campus into a hub of sustainability, innovation and responsible living. Here’s to a greener future for all – one choice at a time!
Angelica Reyes Caceres
Climate Action Engagement Assistant and Politics & International Relations Student
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