… by Anna / from Dundee / BSc Mathematics / 4th Year (UG)
With a new semester comes the opportunity to create sustainable habits and mindsets. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not perfect at this, but by slowly making small changes, I’ve managed to transform some of my choices into less wasteful ones. I thought I’d share some of these with you in case you’d like some ideas of how to live more sustainably!
As a disclaimer, some of these tips aren’t for everyone: some require money, others don’t; some involve vegan or plant-based meals, which may not be suitable for everyone’s dietary or mental health needs right now. When it comes to living sustainably, we want to focus on things that seem attainable for us as individuals, so don’t feel like you need to do everything on this list or make huge changes. It’s better to create small habits suited for us rather than taking on many things and giving them up down the line.
1. Choose no or low package alternatives for your usual groceries. Things like fruit, veg and bread might be an easy switch, but for others it might not. Items that require packaging that you buy often, like ketchup, pesto or cashew milk you could try making at home.
2. Check out minimal package shops near campus like the Refillery, Newleaf Coop or Eco Larder.
3. Rescue food that would otherwise go to waste by using the app TooGoodToGo or picking some up at the Shrub Co-op’s Zero-Waste Hub.
4. For second-hand clothing, check out the charity shops on Nicholson Street.
5. For more of a vintage look, try Godiva, Armstrong’s Vintage Emporium or the vintage pop-up shops held on campus.
6. As well as buying second-hand, why not give your existing wardrobe a new lease of life? This can be done by repairing old pieces, pairing clothes in new ways, layering, or accessorizing.
7. Take care of your existing wardrobe. Washing clothes on a lower heat, hand washing delicate fabrics and air-drying clothes are all things that can make your wardrobe last longer.
8. Share clothes, cooking or bulk shopping with flat mates.
9. Know what and what not to recycle.
10. Reduce paper for reading or note-taking. This can be done by borrowing a writing tablet from the School of Maths, using the library’s online resources, or buying your own online versions of textbooks.
11. Use up old notebooks and stationery before buying new ones.
12. When buying new stationary, buy the sustainable option, e.g., recycled notebooks, highlighter pencils or biodegradable pencils.
13. Use online resources like Facebook Marketplace, Meadowshare or Gumtree to find second-hand goods.
14. Join societies where you can meet people who care about sustainability, e.g., the Edinburgh Food Security and Sustainability Society; Energy and Sustainability Society; Conservation Biology Society or the Hearty Squirrel Food Co-op.
15. Try meatless recipes.
16. When eating out, try a veggie or sustainable option e.g., Wahaca, Union of Genius, Seeds for the Soul or Beetroot Sauvage.
17. Carry around your own cutlery so you don’t need to use plastic ones.
18. Try crafts that will help you repurpose old items.
19. Say no to things you don’t want or need – especially in fresher’s week. Don’t feel like you need to take all the freebies.
20. Try your best! Some of the habits you decide to build won’t be easy to keep, some might waver when you get busy, or maybe you’ll just really crave chicken nuggets on a meatless day. That’s okay. Just remember to be kind to yourself if you don’t stick to everything religiously and return to them when you can.