TOP SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR RECYCLE WEEK 2023

RECYCLE WEEK 2023

This week is Recycle Week (16th-22nd October), a national campaign to help raise awareness of recycling in our day to day lives. To help you live your sustainable best life whilst living at university, we have put together a little guide of our top tips on living sustainably at university.

WASTE NOT WANT NOT

When doing your weekly food shop, be mindful of the amounts you are buying. Do you really need the tempting buy one get one free offers? Will they go to good use? Buy just enough to last your weekly meals and lunch, and even meal prep ahead of doing a grocery shop. Take reusable bags to the supermarkets to avoid buying carrier bags that you’ll later find stashed all over your flat. Find where your local food banks or homeless shelters are to donate your unwanted food items.

REUSE

Travel mugs

Are ideal for on-the-go hot drinks when you are to and from university and save you frequently spending on hot drinks out and about. An investment worth making in the long-run.

Circular & Co-  offer stylish and affordable reusable mugs in various sizes, including replacement bases and lids. From £14.95

Keep Cup-  slightly more affordable that the infamous Stanley cups, travel mugs range in various compact shapes and sizes and colours. From £28

Water Bottles

Will help keep you hydrated throughout the day, and will save you from  purchasing drinks in the long-run.

Circular- compact, leakproof and affordable at just £7.99

One Green Bottle- sturdy  sustainable, prices range from £8- £22

Reusable bags

Are great for groceries, but tote bags and shoppers are also perfect for the day-to-day university life too so choose yours well. You’ll find that most supermarkets offer strong bags for life for as little as £2.

John Lewis- this foldable tote bag is perfect for storing away at just £5

Bags of Ethics- home to a range of quirky reusable tote bags that are prefect for day-to-day university life. From £15

RECYCLE

Taking out rubbish, be mindful of placing your waste in the correct bins. For example, general waste such as food, items that can’t be recycled will go in general waste bins. Items that can be recycled such as: plastic bottles, glass jars, cans, paper, and cardboard will go into a mixed recycling bin. You can even get creative and reuse things like glass jars for cosmetic items!

DRESS SUSTAINABLY

Whilst we all love treating ourselves to new clothes, fast fashion has become a growing environmental problem, which creates huge amounts of waste while fuelling carbon emissions. You should also try to extend the life of your garments by selling them online on sites such as  Vinted and Depop. You can still indulge in some great one-of-a-kind bargains and giving items a new lease of life!

DONATE CHARITY SHOP ITEMS

If selling your items online isn’t your thing but you need to make space, you can recycle your items by donating them to your nearest charity shop. Decluttering is a great way to help clear your mind and work space which can benefit you especially when studying. Follow @knomari.co for some great tips and challenges for decluttering.

TOP RECYCLING HOTSPOTS

John Lewis Fashion Cycle- helps you save money on your fashion or home purchases by bringing your unwanted clothing for recycling

H&M- offer a point scheme when you bring your own bag to store instead of buying one. When you bring unwanted clothing in store, you can earn 20 points and a £5 digital voucher

Too Good To Go- this app connects local restaurants and stores that have unsold, surplus food. Meaning you can get meals and groceries at the fraction of a price!

Olio- ideal for sharing by giving away, getting, borrowing, or lending things in your community for free, aiming to reduce household and food waste.

ReGAIN- recycle unwanted clothes in exchange for digital coupons at some of the UK’s largest retailers.

Boots- bring your unwanted and hard to recycle beauty products in store to gain points and more.