How to Be a Zero-Waste College Student
Writer & Editor
Writer & Editor
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- Zero-waste, or waste-free, colleges are on the rise nationwide.
- Students can make simple changes to reduce waste and increase sustainable practices.
- Grubhub now offers reusable containers and packaging for college students.
- Starting with one waste-free practice can lead to a more sustainable life on and off campus.
Going waste-free in college doesn't have to be hard. Small steps can go a long way toward a zero-waste lifestyle. Zero-waste, or waste-free, living is a practice of reducing consumption and limiting the amount of waste you produce.
If you're a student on a limited budget, living in the dorms or with roommates, or strapped for time, you can still make changes to get closer to living waste free. A few zero-waste practices can become second nature over time.
Even if you aren't looking to be totally waste-free, a few small changes can reduce your environmental impact and help your actions align with your values. Waste-free practices can also reduce the need for frequent purchases, saving you money.
Waste-Free Options for College Students
None of us can actually be perfectly zero-waste, but we can all make changes to reduce our impact on the planet. Perfection shouldn't be the enemy of progress. In fact, the Zero Waste International Alliance defines zero-waste living as changes in practices, reduced consumption, and conservation of resources over time.
Reducing what you purchase and bring into temporary college housing can all be steps in your journey to becoming waste free. To limit duplicate purchases, consider asking roommates what they're bringing. Go through your belongings, and pack what you need from what you already have.
Some unnecessary items fill trash bins soon after purchase, and others literally waste away under dorm room beds. Try your best to implement the changes that work for you.
Many of the items and options listed below are simple solutions that can help you reach a zero-waste lifestyle.
| One use, paper coffee cups | A reusable coffee/hot beverage cup |
| Paper or plastic cups | An insulated water bottle |
| Ziploc or clear plastic bags | Reusable silicone bags |
| Plastic one-use, throwaway utensils | Multi-use metal or wood utensils |
| Paper napkins | Cloth napkins |
| Spiral or plastic-covered notebooks and planners | Notebooks and planners made of recyclable materials without plastic |
| Bottled shampoo and conditioner | Shampoo and conditioner bars |
| Cleaning supplies with harsh chemicals | Natural cleaning and laundry products |
| Single-use cleaning wipes | Cloth or rewashable cleaning supplies |
| Plastic or paper shopping bags | Reusable cloth bags; bags made of recyclable materials |
| Plastic or styrofoam dishes and containers | Recyclable, microwaveable containers |
| Single-use makeup remover wipes | Washable makeup remover cloths |
| Collecting freebies or free school swag | Avoiding freebies, especially plastic items |
| Driving your car around campus | Walking, biking, or taking campus transportation |
| Filling your food tray in the dining hall | Taking small portions and going back for more |
| Purchasing new clothing or household products | Buying second-hand clothing, swapping clothing with friends, shopping at thrift stores, or buying vintage |
| Leaving electronics plugged in overnight | Unplugging electronics once fully charged |
Campus Food Delivery Goes Waste Free
As if these zero-waste options weren't enough, food delivery is also changing for the better. One of the top food delivery services, Grubhub, partnered with a reusable packaging platform to bring zero-waste options to college students at The Ohio State University and Colorado State University.
Grubhub plans to expand the partnership in the coming years.
Topanga.io, Grubhub's zero-waste partner, created the ReusePass app. Students who place Grubhub orders can request reusable containers at check-out. Through the app, students can also check out reusable containers from participating dining halls.
Zero-Waste Colleges
Colleges like Stanford, Princeton, and Columbia are some of the greenest universities in the country. Their efforts are helping students pay closer attention to their sustainable living practices and move the needle toward waste-free campuses. Other schools like Dallas College are reducing their waste production through major recycling efforts.
Atlas' Zero Waste Certification program highlights colleges that reduce waste and push for progress in waste innovation. The certification brings colleges together to create meaningful goals and track progress toward a waste-free school. The College of the Atlantic, University of California, Berkeley, and Carleton College top the list of Atlas-certified waste-free schools.
As students and colleges decrease their environmental footprints, the demand for zero-waste products and practices increases. Whether you're on your first or 10th step toward living more sustainably, know that you're on the right path.
