Sustainable Student Starter Pack

The long list of things you need to buy before you journey to University can be daunting and expensive, so we have put together a sustainable student starter pack that is kind to your wallet and the planet.

My sustainable journey began after university when I first moved into a new apartment, but I wish it had started sooner. I did my best whilst studying, but I didn’t believe I could be truly sustainable, and a large part of that was down to not knowing how to do it on a student budget. This is exactly why That Libby Girl and I have put together this guide: to inform students old and new that it is possible to be sustainable at university.

Libby has been actively working towards helping the environment over the past few years, from shopping consciously to litter picking around campus and beyond. I’m super happy to be collaborating with her on this post. Libby will bring you the best sustainable stationery and bedroom accessories, and I’ll show you the most environmentally friendly kitchen, bathroom and self-care products.

Stationary

Before starting university, you'll receive a supply list. But before rushing out to buy everything on it, read through it carefully and only buy what you think you'll need. There were several things on my supply list that I diligently bought and now wish I hadn't. I could have saved myself a lot of money and resources if I'd considered it more carefully.

1. Refill Paper Pad | 2. Notepad | 3. Pencil Case | 4. Tote Bag | 5. Folder | 6. Recycled Pens | 7. Recycled Post It Notes

I've put together this collection of study basics, but many other things, like highlighters, can be bought sustainably, so shop around before you buy.

This lot comes to around £30 (excluding delivery prices), which, for a trendy, guilt-free study pack, is worth every penny.

Kitchen

Despite most likely being a shared area, the kitchen is a great place to begin reducing waste and investing in high-quality, sustainable items. This is where your budget will take a bit of a hit, but both That Libby Girl and I can testify that quality is so important when it comes to kitchen products! If you spend the money now, the things you buy will last well past your uni days.

Below are some examples of the essentials you will need to start you off, but remember, when shopping for other utensils and items, you only need to get the things you know you’ll use. Student kitchen starter packs will only save you money if you utilise all the things included; sometimes it's best to buy individual utensils. In truth, I’ve still got random slotted spoons and a non-descript spinny thing rattling around in the back of a drawer that I have never used, and, let's be honest, probably never will!

1. Produce Bags

Produce bags are a great investment and, along with your reusable shopping bags, will soon become a staple in your food shopping tool belt.

It’s truly shocking just how many fruit and veg are wrapped in unnecessary plastic, so these bags are a must-have for enabling you to grab some unpackaged produce either at your nearest supermarket or your local farmers market. Plus, they can also save you a lot of embarrassment at checkout – having your oranges and apples rolling around on the conveyor belt is not a fun experience, trust me!

2. Keep Cup & 3. rCup

Reusable coffee cups are a must for anyone who needs a little boost to get them through the day! Many are now air-tight unlike the single-use cups you get at coffee shops, so you can shove them in your bag and not worry about coffee leaking all over your books, and some coffee shops will offer a discount to those who bring their own cups in, so you can even save a little bit of money too! That Libby Girl recommends the Keep Cup to satisfy your at-desk coffee needs, whereas I’m a huge advocate for the rCup as it’s made from recycled coffee cups and is completely leak-proof.

4. Thermal Water Bottle

Getting a reusable water bottle is probably one of the easiest ways to make a sustainable change, and drinking water is super important for students, be it to keep hydrated whilst studying or to ward off that hangover from the night before. This stainless steel Chilly's alternative is a particularly great investment as it keeps drinks cold, is completely leak-proof, and, let’s be honest, is pretty darn aesthetic. If you want to be really sustainable, you can even reuse old pasta sauce or jam jars – not only are you helping the environment and your bank, but you’ll be totally on-trend!

5. Lunch Box

Having a lunchbox and preparing your meals is more sustainable than picking up a grab-and-go option. Not only is it a generally healthier option, as it allows you to control the ingredients you're eating, but it reduces the use of single-use food wrapping, like take-away containers and plastic cutlery. Plus, you can save money by bulk-cooking and taking in your lunches, rather than buying meal deals every day!

The benefit of having a glass lunchbox over a plastic one, of course, is that the risk of food contamination is reduced drastically. After all, who wants to be ingesting tiny bits of plastic? Also, they tend to last longer because they don't stain or warp after use. This one even has a completely recyclable bamboo lid, and it means you get to have a day out at Ikea – win-win!

6. Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are one of the more expensive items on this list, but they’re so useful. Instead of using single-use cling film or, like That Libby Girl, reusing tin foil until it's got a hole in it, these reusable, biodegradable, and sustainable wraps are the perfect thing for covering up food – and your food lasts longer with these compared to cling film.

As you spend more time at uni, you’ll realise that bulk-cooking is your friend, so grab a pack of these to protect your meals and you’ll do yourself and the environment a favour.

7. Frying Pan

Getting a high-quality frying pan (preferably with a lid) is one of the best investments you can make before uni. If you’re like me and not a great cook you’ll be amazed to know just how many easy meals can be made in just one pan, and a big one like this means you can bulk cook up to four portions at once, saving you time, energy, and money, with the added bonus of helping the environment by using less gas or electricity.

8. Kitchen Cloth

You’re going to want to clean up after yourself in the kitchen, if not for your sake but for your housemates, so investing in reusable kitchen cloths is essential! Tookies' hand-made scrubbing cloths are a fab investment as they are reusable, organic, biodegradable, recyclable, microplastic-free, and fair trade, so you can be sure to keep your kitchen and your conscious clean.

These items come to a total of £98, which might be more than you anticipated, but they are all wonderful investments that will save you money in the long run. However, cheaper alternatives for all these items are out there, so look around and find what’s best for you.

Design & Accessories

I've written posts in the past about how difficult it can be to personalise university halls and even private rentals. Over the years, I've learned the easiest way to add your own flair and design style is through soft furnishings, like cushions and throws.

The items below have been selected for their versatile style and the materials used. Textiles aren't always the cheapest way to spruce up a space, especially if you're aiming to invest in more sustainable materials such as organic cotton or linen. However, growing trends in this sector mean companies are responding with more affordable product lines. H&M, for example, has a sustainability tab touting a range of clothing and home accessories with materials, production processes, and recycling in mind.

White Linen Cushions | Linen Block Colour Cushion | Red Stripe Cushion

Patterned Cushions | Hemp Patchwork Cushion | Striped Cushion | Spotty Cushion

Grey Bedding | White Tassel Throw | Grey Tassel Throw

Self-Care and Bathroom

The beauty and self-care industries have always been among the worst for negatively impacting the environment. However, more and more companies are producing plastic-free and eco-friendly alternatives. This is making it so much easier – and cheaper! – to switch to more ethical products, and what better excuse to make that switch than moving to uni? Not only will you save yourself money, but you’ll also be happy knowing you're keeping yourself and the oceans clean. Just ensure you use up any old products first so you don't create additional unnecessary waste.

1. Soap Bar

Keep your body, conscience, and the planet clean with a natural soap bar, rather than a chemical-filled, plastic-wrapped body wash. These bars are free from plastic packaging and only include natural ingredients, meaning you can get the best out of being clean. Not to mention, they smell AMAZING.

2. Natural Deodorant

Aerosol cans are one of the planet's biggest enemies, so switch up your typical deodorant with a more natural, eco-friendly roll-on, like these unisex deodorant sticks from Earth Conscious. Kind to the skin, whilst also being super effective, these will keep you smelling fresh as a daisy, and won’t leave annoying white marks on your favourite top. To top it off, if you purchase the one linked, 10p from each sale goes to the Marine Conservation Society, the UK charity for protecting our seas, shores, and wildlife.

3. Face Cloths

Washing your face and/or taking your make-up off after a long day or a night out is a must, and your skin will thank you later for it, trust me. However, single-use wipes and cotton pads are expensive and terrible for the planet. Instead, why not invest in reusable, washable pads to keep your skin clean and clear and your bank account happy?

4. Shower Bomb

For all you bath-lovers out there, you may already be mourning the lack of baths at uni, but fear not, Lush has created the ultimate self-caring student dream; the shower bomb! Super affordable, sustainable, and available in various scents and designs, this is the perfect luxury item for when you just want to relax and spend some quality me-time amidst the university chaos.

5. Safety Razor

Not only are disposable razors terrible for the environment and super expensive, but they’re classic pink for girls and blue for boys designs are super sexist.

In search of something new, I discovered reusable safety razors – they have a strong, reusable handle like this bamboo one, and replaceable blades that you can recycle when they get blunt. They're undoubtedly better for the environment than their disposable counterparts, and they’re unisex, so no bowing to aged gender stereotypes that have no place today.

6. Eco Toothpaste

Dental hygiene is super important, but as most toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes are made of plastic, it’s also one of the biggest contributors to waste. Luckily, bamboo and biodegradable toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular, however, ethical toothpaste is a little harder to come by.

Truthpaste is one of the best zero-waste, cruelty-free mineral-based toothpastes out there. It comes in a cute little jar that can be reused, AND it’s completely free of any nasty chemicals that can cause harm to you and the environment, not to mention it’s super affordable.

7. Shampoo Bar

I don’t know about you, but trying to navigate the shampoo aisle at any shop is a tricky affair. I spent years trying to find something that would tame my thick curls whilst also being kind to my very sensitive scalp, but it wasn’t until I tried ethical shampoo bars like the affordable Friendly Soap one that my head was satisfied. Its packaging is plastic-free and recyclable, and it contains no nasty parabens, chemicals, or palm oil, so it’s great for you and the planet.

In total, these products cost £44.84, which isn’t half bad considering how much you would normally spend, and many of them last much longer than typical products, so you’ll be saving on lots of unnecessary waste.

There are so many great sustainable products out there, and it’s much easier – and cheaper – than you’d expect to shop with yourself and the planet in mind. Hopefully, our sustainable student starter kit will give you a perfect starting point for finding the things you need to make your uni days a little easier, with the bonus of protecting the environment at the same time.

A collaboration between two BA graduates trying to live a more sustainable life. This post aims to inform students, old and new, that it’s possible to be sustainable at university!

[This post was created in collaboration with That Libby Girl]