Take a few small steps to make a big difference ♻️

Hi, I'm Anjana, a second-year Architecture student and an environment team student ambassador. I've written this article to provide some ideas about how you can be more sustainable at university. 

Let's be real: student life can already be a full-time balancing act. You're juggling lectures, deadlines, part-time work and trying to decide what's for dinner. Trying to be sustainable on top of that? It might sound like a lot. But here's the good news: some of the simplest sustainable options are also brilliant for your budget and wellbeing because they enable you to spend less, waste less, eat better and even feel more in charge of your daily life.  

Start where you live

Simple swaps at your accommodation can foster effortless and eco-friendly practices. 

• First off, put items in the correct bins. If you’re staying in halls, you will have separate bins for general waste, food and recycling. This might appear simple, but it is a really impactful step. Got an item and not sure if you can recycle it? Check if you can here.
•  Only boil the water to the required amount, switch off unused lights, and unplug chargers. A 30°C wash on clothes is energy efficient and extends the durability of your clothes. If you notice a leaky tap, report it via PlanOn the student portal.
• Embed small habits into your daily routine, such as changing from paper to digital notes, using jars again and even taking shorter showers. Sustainability begins at home.

Eat smart and waste less food

Food waste is a big part of climate change. 

• Consider batch cooking and freezing meals. It's ideal for midnight cravings after a long day on campus. I portion meals such as veggie curry, lasagna or shepherd's pie into tin foil trays, and then simply reheat and go. It saves time, money and stops me from ordering Uber Eats out of desperation.
• Apps like Too Good To Go are total game-changers. You can rescue unsold food from local cafés for just a few pounds. I got a Starbucks surprise bag for £3.15 and it was full of treats: a croissant, a muffin, banana bread, cookies and even a cake pop, all absolutely fresh, just unsold. Bargain treat, less waste for the world. Win-win!
• Not on campus? Try The Pod Café on Far Gosford Street. This hidden gem serves plant-based meals made from local allotment produce and supports mental health and community wellbeing through its Food Union initiative. Enjoy a main, dessert and drink for £10. Or check out FoodCycle for free community meals, a great way to eat well and meet people.

• Save 20p on drinks at campus cafés by bringing a reusable cup. Also, refillable bottles can be filled at campus stations or cafés marked with the blue Refill symbol.
• Even small diet changes help. Trying out new recipes and consuming less meat during the week is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. These choices can be effortless and incredibly delicious. Try making some of these delicious recipes.

Shop sustainably without going broke

Start with Coventry Market. It’s a goldmine for fresh, loose fruit and vegetables, which means less plastic and more flavour. Local produce often has a smaller carbon cost, and buying only what you need helps cut down on food waste. 

• At the market, you’ll find Cogs Refill Shop, which can provide you with zero-waste, organic and ethical goods. Don’t forget your reusable bag. It's a small switch that avoids piling up plastic at home.
• You will find Fairtrade tea, coffee and chocolate in several shops and cafés around campus and the city (like Co-op and Sainsbury’s). Look for the Fairtrade logo: it means fair pay and safer conditions for the people behind your products.
• If you're interested in makeup or skincare, consider using eco-friendly alternatives. I purchased a washable set, which included one bag for clean pads and one for dirty, which I simply throw in with my towels (you're washing them anyway, right?). It's easy, cost-saving and reduces waste. And they literally last forever!

Reuse, donate or swap (give items a second life) 

Before throwing things away, try the Keep, Donate, Recycle approach first. 

• Old clothes you don't wear? Take them to British Heart Foundation bins at halls. They also take shoes, books, kitchenware and small electronics. You'll reduce waste and fund life-saving research. H&M also operates a recycling programme; turn in a bag and receive a voucher. They also carry eco-friendly collections and incentivise responsible shopping. 
• Look out for fashion swaps on campus: they're an easy, cost-free way to update your wardrobe and keep garments in use.

Eco-friendly travel: getting around without the footprint

Sustainable travel doesn’t mean giving up convenience, just being a bit more thoughtful. On foot is an excellent way to explore Coventry, some of my favourite places were found while out for a stroll.

• Cycle: Clean, fast, and a free workout. Coventry University offers secure cycle parks and free Dr Bike maintenance sessions. Look out for these on the student portal.
• Carpool with Liftshare: If you commute into Coventry, could you give another a lift? Share the ride and split the cost. It’s cheaper, better for the planet, and a great way to meet new people.
• Buses and trains: Lower-impact ways to travel longer distances. A Coachcard and a RailCard can help save you money if you use these transport methods regularly. 

The climate emergency is already affecting us with increased bills, food scarcity and extreme weather. As students, the small actions we take daily, such as what we eat, how we travel and what we consume do count. It might seem like it's all too much, but it does begin with us. The world is already 1.2°C warmer, and if it exceeds 1.5°C, it will get even more severe. 

But here's the good news: it's not too late. All the little things you do, taking your own bottle, throwing away less food, count and build towards a better future. And it also saves you money and gives you a little more independence in your daily life. 

So why not try? Your decisions really do make a difference.

Interested in going the extra mile for the environment? Check out SOS UK (Students Organising Sustainability) for ideas and inspiration.

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