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<\/a><\/p>\nI was sitting in class at NYU the day I decided to change my life and start eliminating my trash, so I\u2019m no stranger to attempting to reduce your waste while still in college, on a budget and just trying to figure life out.<\/span><\/p>\n But it\u2019s been a minute since I was in college – don\u2019t rub it in – I\u2019m in a bit of denial. So I enlisted the help of two of my teammates at Package Free Shop<\/a>, Joy and Ysabella. They both just recently graduated in May, and while in college, adopted some amazing waste-reducing habits.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some brilliant tips and products they recommend for all those potentially trashy (literally) college scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n Rather than buying big plastic tubs, or new cardboard boxes for moving into your dorm or temporary living situation in college, think ahead by asking a local grocery store to save some large cardboard boxes for you to move in with, or see if they have any on hand from recent shipments. You get free<\/em> boxes (woohoo!) and the cardboard gets a second life.<\/span><\/p>\n Use paper tape<\/a> to seal them up for your move-in journey so that afterwards they\u2019ll be 100% recyclable in paper recycling.<\/span><\/p>\n Wrap breakable items in clothes, towels and bedding that you\u2019re already bringing along with you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If school is a flight away for you, you\u2019re probably only taking a few suitcases rather than a load of boxes. But if you\u2019re looking to keep your travel as sustainable as possible, check out <\/span>this post with some amazing tips for flying<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before you run out to Target or hop on to Amazon to buy a ton of brand new items for your dorm room or apartment, it\u2019s important to realize that the space you’re in is temporary. Most students won\u2019t live in their dorm room for more than a year. You don\u2019t want to end up with a bunch of non-recyclable items or unnecessary decor or furniture when the school year wraps that you either have to A) figure out how to responsibly get rid of or B) send to landfill.<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond college, most people upgrade to a regular-sized fridge. Ask around to older friends at your school if they know anyone who has a mini fridge, furniture, or appliances they no longer need or want.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out local thrift stores for small furniture items, mirrors, lamps, storage baskets etc. You can even give things a fresh coat of paint or troll Pinterest for some amazing up-cycling ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n When choosing between two items – say a plastic storage basket or one made from metal – opt for the non-plastic item. Even if you end up recycling the item at the end of the school year, each time plastic is recycled, it\u2019s downgraded, and eventually gets to be a type of plastic that is non-recyclable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to run through the aisles of Target and grab every picture frame, trinket box and votive holder because they\u2019re cute. But don\u2019t just grab items you won\u2019t want to take with you after the school year ends.<\/span><\/p>\n Recycling is so much easier if you have a dedicated bin or container in your room for recyclable items rather than having to walk an empty can down the hall or outside every time you want to recycle. Grab a bin from a secondhand or thrift store, or reuse a cardboard box you used when you moved in, and collect your recyclables in batches.<\/p>\n Avoid using paper plates and disposable kitchenware, and keep a real plate, bowl, cup and set of utensils in your dorm. You can get dishes for super cheap at thrift stores. Just wash in the bathroom sink when they get dirty.<\/p>\n Cheap, late night food can be a lifesaver during 3 am study sessions. If you’re looking to keep your dorm or apartment stocked with snacks and quick meals, skip the styrofoam cup of noodles and plastic bags of chips for options like soup in aluminum cans, pickles in a glass jar,\u00a0fresh loose fruit like bananas and apples, snacks from the bulk section of your local grocery like nuts, dried fruit or candy in reusable produce bags <\/a>or bread from the bakery instead of pre-sliced bread that comes in plastic with peanut butter from a glass jar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Make everyone on your dorm floor envious of your plastic-free shower caddy. Swap out these common plastic or non-recyclable items for their sustainable alternative:<\/span><\/p>\n Plastic bottle of shampoo<\/em> – Shampoo Bar<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Non-recyclable tube or bottle of face wash<\/em> – Tea Tree and Charcoal Facial Bar Soap<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Synthetic loofah<\/em> – Natural Bath Sponge<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Plastic razor – Stainless Steel Razor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Plastic bottle of body wash<\/em> – Refillable Body Wash<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Go paper towel-less and stock up on DIY cleaning rags. You can make your own rags by ripping up old beach or bath towels or t-shirts. Upcycle a Windex bottle or get yourself an empty glass spray bottle, and make your own all-purpose, natural cleaning spray<\/a>\u00a0to fill it with. The ingredients to make your own cleaner overtime will actually also save you money. That\u2019s something all broke college students can get on board with.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plastic red solo cups have become synonymous with college parties. But you\u2019re not the average college student, right?!<\/span><\/p>\n Avoid ending up with unwanted plastic on your hands, and bring along your own cup, mug or mason jar to sip your drink of choice out of at parties. It\u2019s also a great way to not mix your drink up with anyone else\u2019s. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stock your backpack or school bag with a \u201cwaste-free toolkit\u201d so you\u2019ll be ready to avoid any potential trash that might come your way. Here are some great things to always keep on you:<\/span> Reusable water bottle + filter combo:<\/em><\/strong> Refilling a reusable bottle at a water fountain or in the sink is a no-brainer way to never use a single-use plastic water bottle again. If the tap water at your school isn\u2019t great, keep a filter in your bottle to clean any impurities out of your water.<\/span><\/p>\n Reusable coffee cup:<\/em><\/strong> For most college students, coffee is a lifeline. Keep a reusable cup on you to avoid single-use cups. Some cafes even give discounts for bringing your own cup! <\/span><\/p>\n To-go cutlery:<\/em><\/strong> Say no to non-recyclable plastic forks, knives and spoons and keep a portable set of utensils on you.<\/span><\/p>\n Cloth napkin:<\/em><\/strong> Because spills and messes happen, keep a cloth napkin or rag with you to wipe up unexpected messes, or to even blow your nose with.<\/span><\/p>\n Reusable straw:<\/em><\/strong> Plastic straws are non-recyclable, but sometimes you just want to sip your iced coffee or smoothie through one. Keep a reusable straw with you so you\u2019re always prepared!<\/span><\/p>\n To-go container:<\/strong><\/em> For food hall leftovers, or picking up some takeout, keep an empty airtight container with you to avoid using single-use takeout containers.\u00a0We love these<\/a>, but a basic mason jar works too.<\/span><\/p>\nReuse boxes for move in.<\/h2>\n
Seal it up with paper tape.<\/h2>\n
Skip the bubble wrap.<\/h2>\n
Flying to school? Here are some tips to minimize waste when you fly.<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/h2>\nEquip your dorm sustainably.<\/h2>\n
Get secondhand items wherever you can.<\/h2>\n
Opt for natural materials over plastics.<\/h2>\n
Ask yourself, \u201chow much use will I really get out of this?\u201d<\/h2>\n
Set yourself up for recycling success.<\/h2>\n
Have a set of real dishes on hand.<\/h2>\n
Stock up on bulk snacks, or food in recyclable containers.<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRevamp your shower caddy.<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nKeep your space clean sustainably.<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nBYOC (bring your own cup) to parties.<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nBuild a waste-free toolkit.<\/h2>\n
\n<\/em>A reusable string bag:<\/em><\/strong> It\u2019s super compact and light to keep in your bag, but can also expand like crazy to hold up to 40 lbs. It\u2019s perfect for last-minute grocery trips or even lugging your dirty clothes to the laundry room.<\/span><\/p>\n