Sustainability often feels like an impossible task, especially as a student. We already know that it's a huge concept with plenty of development goals, and one that really needs the efforts of all of us to succeed. With this in mind, LRFS have come up with some really easy and practical ways for students to be mindful of their impact on the world, and help the cause for sustainability.
Recycle whatever you can
Recycling is one of the simplest ways any of us can help the planet - all the hard work is done for us. Hopefully, the institutions that we depend on will only become more eco-friendly in within the next decade, but for the time being we can still put our old trash to a new purpose. For students, this is an especially big step we can be taking more vigilantly.
Not only do we use copious amounts of paper, but we are the kings of takeaway culture too. Just think if we didn't bother to recycle any of our cardboard pizza boxes, cartons, or reams of old notes? The very least we can do is make sure that we're being responsible, not just in our consumption but in our disposal too. Luckily, for Leeds based students, the council has a really easy and straightforward recycling system in place.
Walk or get public transport
In these times, we're not exactly going anywhere fast anyway. However, it is estimated that public transport decreases CO2 emissions by around 1.5 million tonnes per year compared to single car usage. This alone makes a strong case for using public transport as often as we can.
We all know how expensive it can be to get Ubers everywhere, or even to have our own car at uni. Yeah, they're convenient, but they're usually way more expensive than taking the bus or train, and so much worse for the environment. Better still, walking produces absolutely no carbon emissions. Given the circumstances at the moment too, it's also a welcome break from being trapped inside to get some fresh air and exercise, safely.
Take your own lunch on campus
Taking your own lunch into uni is a massive waste-saver! Not only does it cut down on unnecessary packaging and single-use plastics, but it also helps to reduce food waste.
It's easier than ever to reduce food waste at the moment. With far fewer food and drink outlets being open at the moment, more and more people are turning their hand to cooking their own meals. Better still, but cooking meals in bulk and portioning them out is also a massive money saver, as well as helping to reduce excess waste and take a step towards ending food poverty.
Type your lecture notes
I know that everyone has their own note-taking styles, but just hear me out. A rivalry as old as time between the pencil pushers and Macbook tappers, it seems that laptop users are actually taking the more sustainable route.
Handwriting all of your notes leads to immense amounts of physical waste that will either end up as litter, in landfill, or take loads of energy to recycle them into something new. However, typing all your lecture notes on your laptop only uses as much energy as your battery has. Plus, a single laptop charge uses far less energy than it takes to produce and reproduce paper, meaning less fossil fuels needing to be used.
Read up on the facts
Last of all, education is the best way to fight the good, sustainable, fight. We've already let you know some of our favourite sources of sustainable wisdom for you to help get educated, but there are other ways too.
There are plenty of online articles about sustainability, and there's always more cropping up. After all, sustainability is something that we are all going to have to embrace eventually - everyone knows it. So, there's never been a better time to pick up a book or newspaper and discover the new breakthroughs that could be benefitting all of our lives!
Love LRFS x