Vegetable & fruit box by Scoop (University of York)
It can be hard to think about how to even start making environmentally sustainable changes within your lifestyle if you’re already on a tight budget! A lot of the challenges associated with having a sustainable lifestyle come from your income and the opportunities presented to you. The most important thing is that you try to make any changes that are comfortable to YOU. If you’re unsure on what you can do, we’ve compiled some options which are either free, cheap, or a very effective long-term solution at a perhaps higher initial cost (which are mutually beneficial for you and the environment!).
Free or Cheap Solutions
Campaigning doesn’t essentially require any cost and it’s one of the best ways to affect governments/corporations to cut down on any negative environmental impact they may have. It can also inform your peers of how they can do their bit to curb climate change, or inspire them to find innovative solutions to sustainability problems! Some groups or methods you can do this through include:
• YUSU Environment & Ethics Collective: Lead by YUSU’s elected E+E Officers, the collective is one of the biggest ways you can help steer environmental sustainability on our campus and inform other students about key challenges we face in being as sustainable as possible. You can find their facebook group here, or alternatively drop them an email for more information at environment@yusu.org
• College E+E Officers: You could not only run for your College’s E+E Officer, but you can also take part in their events and work with them to make the local community more aware of sustainability issues!
• Extinction Rebellion York: A subdivision of the biggest global fight against government and corporation inaction when it comes to their effect on our environment. They hold protests and events that inform the general public about their sustainability issues. You can join their movement here.
• YUSU Policy: You can submit proposals termly for the Policy Review Group to evaluate and see whether it’s plausible. This means that if you have an idea to reduce YUSU or the University’s impact on the environment you can submit it for review. Check out their facebook to keep up-to-date!
• Online Campaigning: Nothing is stronger than your own voice, and with social media it’s easier than ever to inform your family and friends about sustainability issues, or could even be used to point out to organisations where they could do better!
Volunteering can be another great and cost-free way to not only get involved with actions that actively increases biodiversity and reduces our impact, but it can also be used to inform others! Here are a few campus-based ways you can get involved:
• NUS Student Switch Off (SSO) & Green Impact: Both schemes offer you the opportunity to influence and inform students and staff around you on how to recycle properly, make sustainable changes within campus workplaces, and find ways to cut down their impact on our planet! Keep up with SSO here.
• Connecting East: Getting involved with our events like our litter picks and wildlife walks are a great way to learn more about the environment you live in and to share this information with your peers! You can also potentially write for our blog if you have any sustainable tips or news to share.
• Scoop (The York Student Food Coop): is a student-led project that offers a wide arrange of fresh produce, ethical foods, and zero-waste toiletries at low prices. Find out more about Scoop here.
Bamboo Straws from https://bamboo-straws.com/
One-time Larger Investments
Reusable Straws:Investing in a set of reusable straws is a great way to go forward! There are many types, from bamboo and metal to glass and acrylic, and most can be bought in packs for about £10. Something important to note though is that this doesn’t mean we should ban plastic straws or discourage people who need to use them, they are an absolute necessity to people with certain disabilities and other reusable solutions aren’t often an option.
Sustainable Menstrual Products: Single-use menstrual products can be expensive and they’re also pretty bad for the environment. Buying a menstrual cup at around £20 is a popular option for those who have periods. There are also washable period pants and reusable period pads that you could look into (they also range between £10-£30).
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