Sustainability has been a popular buzzword for a while now, but it’s something that everyone needs to take more seriously in order to contribute to a healthier planet. If you’re a student looking for an eco-friendly town or city to study in, or a graduate searching for entry-level environmental roles, Westminster is a great place to be.

Across the UK, universities are partnering with industry leaders to combat climate change, responding to unprecedented student demand for environmental action. Many have introduced recycling campaigns or implemented measures to help achieve zero waste and a range of initiatives to promote energy-efficient transport. So, wherever you’re studying or whatever career path you’re heading towards, this article explores different ways for students to shop, socialise, and study more sustainably. 

How eco-friendly is Westminster?

As far back as 2019, the University of Westminster and its Business School, has put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the United Nations at the heart of their eco-friendly agenda. In fact, their Sustainability Report outlines how the University has embedded SDGs into teaching, research and operations to help support a more sustainable society. The university’s eco-friendly goals and achievements to date cover research and innovation with, for example, the Westminster Water Science Research Group advancing sustainable water management practices. 

When it comes to academic integration, sustainable fashion modules have been incorporated into their design course while sustainability principles have been woven throughout other courses to inspire students in partnership with local industry leaders. Together, they share a mission to double down on reducing emissions, waste and unethical practices. Some well-documented academic and industry insights suggest switching to public electric transport, cheaper energy storage, plastic recycling, and LED light efficiency.

Using resale platforms

On a broader basis, students can be encouraged to shop more sustainably using resale platforms for buying and selling a range of pre-loved items. Not only has the cultural attitude towards buying second-hand shifted, but more vintage and pre-owned platforms have appeared online. Reselling or buying pre-loved items is always more sustainable than buying new. MPB, the largest global platform for buying and selling used photo and video gear, even suggests that adopting a circular shopping approach might be key to halting the climate crisis. 

From fashion or tech to books that support your revision, students can save money buying goods from a variety of resale channels, such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay, as well as from popular brands such as Depop and Vinted. Whether you’re on a creative course, looking for sports gear, or upgrading a mobile phone and other tech, buying pre-owned products can extend the lifespan of goods and prevent resources from being overused.

Meanwhile, for those students who want to make a bit of spare cash and declutter, selling unwanted clothes might help you earn some extra money. Every item you buy that has been used prevents that same product from going to waste and winding up in landfill which is great news for the environment and your wallet. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly part-time job alongside your studies, many shops and businesses in London now have sustainable policies. 

Supporting a zero waste lifestyle

For those who hate wasting food, or anything else for that matter, packaging is one of the primary contributors to waste. Food waste is a huge problem in the UK with experts estimating around one third of all food purchased is discarded. The process of shopping for zero waste may take some getting used to, yet the benefits far outweigh the learning curve. While it may be hard to avoid shopping sporadically, toiletries and deliveries are almost always wrapped in plastic and materials that are hard to recycle. 

However, zero waste shops and package-free shops have popped up, making it more accessible to buy everything from flour and sugar to pasta and chocolate in an eco-friendly way. Even olive oil, shampoo and laundry detergent can be purchased without the bottle, simply by taking reusable bottles along when shopping. This cuts out considerable amounts of packaging waste and prevents overbuying. Once you get going, there are other ways to adopt greener habits even with a busy schedule of studying, shopping, and socialising.

Embracing ethical food production

If you speak to any environmental expert, they’ll tell you that one of the most environmentally friendly changes students can make to their lifestyle is to adopt a plant-based diet. The agricultural sector has a severe impact on the environment, from land use to water wastage and pollution from animals and transport. The UK Government has reported that the current challenges of the agricultural environment are to maintain food production while reducing its overall environmental footprint.

However, transitioning to a vegan or vegetarian diet isn’t for everyone, but there are brands making it easier for meat-eaters to choose plant-based offerings even just a few times a week for a positive effect. And collectively, even a swap to a veggie meal once a week can have a big knock-on effect to the industry as a whole. 

Climate change remains one of the biggest threats facing all of us today so even the smallest changes a student can make to be sustainable can make a difference. For universities teaming up with businesses, showing a commitment to being compassionate and responsible can also support students who are passionate about contributing to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

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Thank you to Dakota for writing this blog!

Dakota Murphey is an established freelance writer who regularly contributes to a number of authoritative resources online. She specialises in eCommerce, Digital Business, Marketing, Public Relations, Human Resources, Company Growth and Cybersecurity.

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