7 Ways College Students Can Go Green and Save Money

College students are known for their active involvement in many movements and one of those movements is definitely the “green movement and “living an eco-friendly life.

And even though most students would love to pursue a greener life, sometimes it can be hard to do on campus.

The biggest issue is that most of them are not really sure on how exactly to achieve this.

You knew what to do while they were living at home but now that you are living in a building full of people who may not share the same opinion, you do not know how to go green on you own.

There is always an obvious option for recycling but some students want to do more for our environment. As a college student, you might be wondering how you can help the environment and save money at the same time.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to do both! From using reusable water bottles to composting your food scraps, here are 7 ways college students can go green and save money.

1. Buy a solar charger for your devices

When you think about it, your smartphone is one of the devices that you use the most. Therefore, it requires the most charging and the most electricity out of all of your devices.

“Solar smartphone chargers are one of the most effective ways to make your carbon footprint smaller – you will spend a lot less electricity,” according to one expert.

By harnessing the power of the sun, solar chargers eliminate the need for fossil fuels, which are a major source of pollution.

He further stated: “The great thing about these chargers is that they can be used for more than just charging your phone – they can also be used for charging your laptop, wireless pods or any other devices you may need.”

In addition, solar chargers are often very compact and lightweight, making them easy to transport from place to place. And since they don’t require an outlet, solar chargers can be used just about anywhere – perfect for students who are always on the go.

2. Minimize heat appliances use

This includes a wide array of appliances like blow dryers, clothes dryers, curlers, flat irons, etc.

For a change, try to use your blow dryer only when necessary – this way you will help the environment while letting your hair recover from all that heat.

The same goes for flat irons and curlers – they damage your hair and waste a lot of power when working. Reduce your usage for your own good and the planet’s well-being.

Clothes dryers do not do you any harm but they definitely use a lot of electricity while they are on. Air-drying is a good option that will reduce your power usage too.

3. Ride a bike or walk

You have a lot on your plate as a college student. You’re probably trying to balance schoolwork with a social life and, often, a part-time job to boot.

There’s always the temptation to drive everywhere. It’s convenient. However, there are a few good reasons to ditch the car and walk or bike to class instead.

For one, you save money. Gas prices are always fluctuating. We’re just emerging from a rise in gas prices that has made driving extremely expensive.

Walking and biking are two affordable alternatives that can save you money and get you in shape.

That’s right, it’s good for your health. Walking and biking are also form of exercise that can help you tone your body, improve stamina, and even reduce your stress levels and enhance mental health,

And finally, it’s good for the environment. When you choose to ride or walk, you minimize pollution, conserve resources, and protect the environment.

4. Reduce your paper and plastic usage

Students use a lot of paper and that is inevitable. With so many assignments and classes, it is necessary. However, there are many areas where reducing the amount of paper is possible.

For example, you could replace your paper towels with rags and clothes – they do a great job at cleaning spills too.

Do not use paper plates. Instead, opt for a couple of ceramic, washable plates. Think about other places where you are using paper when cloths would do just fine too, and replace them.

“As for the plastic, there are even more areas where you could eliminate it. For example, you could use glass bottles instead of plastic bottles that are made just for one use, you could replace plastic cups with glass ones, use metal utensils instead, etc.

You probably use plastic much more than you think and replacing it with long-lasting materials will not only reduce plastic pollution but it will also save your money”, – explains Jim, a recycling expert.

5. Replace your bulbs with LED bulbs

LED bulbs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to save energy and money. College students are especially well-suited to take advantage of LED bulbs, as they are often living on a tight budget. 

LEDs use much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and they also last much longer. 

This means that you can save money on your electricity bills by switching to LED bulbs. In addition, LED bulbs emit very little heat, which can help to reduce air conditioning costs in the summer months. 

Overall, LED bulbs are an excellent way for college students to save money and cut down on their carbon footprint.

6. Educate yourself and others about the environment

This is an indirect way to help but just as effective. If you tell other people about what you are doing without being annoying about it, they will likely follow your lead.

Show them how what you are doing is not that hard. If you get just one more person to be more attentive to our environment, it will be worth it.

Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about climate change. Take the time to learn about the science behind it and then share that knowledge with others. The more people who understand the issue, the more likely we are to find solutions.

7. Get involved

If you have some free time on your hands, join activists who clean parks or other green surfaces. “You could also start a group on your campus or start a competition between dorms to see who spends the least energy.

Others ways include:

• Join or start a club devoted to environmentalism. If you want to really get involved in the fight against climate change, consider joining an existing club or starting your own on campus. This is a great way to meet like-minded people and make a difference at your school and in your community.
• Vote! Once you turn 18, you have the power to vote in elections. Use that power to elect officials who will fight for policies that will help combat climate change.
• Recycle, compost, and reduce your waste. This one is easy enough to do on campus. Most colleges have recycling bins set up around campus, so take advantage of them. And if your school doesn’t have composting facilities, see if you can start a pilot program.

Final Thoughts

From these examples, you can see that living green and saving money on campus is not that hard. All you have to do is pay a bit more attention and make slight tweaks to your lifestyle for an amazingly positive impact. Just remember that changes begin in your own home, even if it is your campus home.

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for freshness and consistency.