Save money and the planet with these eco-hacks!

One of the biggest barriers to living more sustainably is the perception that being more eco-friendly is a pursuit only possible if you have a certain degree of disposable income.

Whilst there are certainly ways this statement can be true, on the whole sustainable living can be done on a budget (and could actually save you money in the long term!)

How can you start? 

1. Switch off lights and electrical appliances whenever possible to conserve energy. When you’re not living in halls this will save you money on your bills too, so it’s a good practice to get into. 

2. Get swapping and sharing: could you do a clothes or book swap with friends? We are running 6 Clothes Swap events across the year with UCL, for free! Next swap is on 4th October. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4edrH2q 

3. Recycle your waste correctly and look for easy swaps to items that come in less packaging in the supermarket. Read the flyer you received in your welcome pack, or have a look at the signage above any communal bins. 

4. Buy second-hand wherever possible – London has so many great charity and vintage shops, plus apps like Vinted, Depop and Gumtree are great places to list and find items cheaper than buying new. 

5. Preserve water. It is such a precious resource – can you save some time off your showers, for example by turning off when using shampoo? Ensure you don’t leave the tap running when you wash up or brush your teeth. 

6. Reuse your shopping bags again and again rather than contributing to the plastic crisis.

7. Only buy food you know you are going to eat and get smart with freezing or using up leftovers. Food waste contributes 8% of global GHG emissions, and household food waste is a big part of this. 

8. Eat more local, seasonal, and plant-based food. You can opt for low carbon impact food in your canteen, all our hot dishes are ranked A-E. 

9. Talk to your friends, family and colleagues about what lifestyle changes you are making. Creating a sustainable society which will be more resilient against the climate crisis requires us all to make small changes, and nudges from peers is one of the best ways to encourage change in others.

Are you interested in getting more involved with sustainable living in your halls of residence? Contact your Residential Advisors or Wardens to find out about opportunities.

We’ll be hiring a Student Sustainability Officer for each hall soon, you can register your interest here. The Sustainability team can be contacted via email: sustainability@london.ac.uk.