Improve your student sustainability this Earth Day

When it comes to protecting the environment, every little helps. Everyone can do something to help make a difference, however big or small. This Earth Day, we're exploring five small, simple steps you can take to make your student house more eco-friendly.

Reduce energy consumption

Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat is responsible for nearly half of all global warming pollution. Reducing your energy consumption or switching to more sustainable options are great ways to start reducing your carbon footprint. Ensure that windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent drafts and heat loss. Unplug your electronics when you're not using them, and turn the lights off when leaving a room. Even better, make the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs like LED bulbs. These last up to 12 times as long as traditional bulbs and use far less electricity to emit the same amount of light as a traditional bulb. You'll be more sustainable and use save money on your energy bills - win-win!

Cut down on water waste

The average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water every day, with 80% of Brits admitting to committing at least one habit which wastes water. There are some simple steps you can take to cut down on your usage and improve student sustainability. First, take shorter showers. It's lovely to luxuriate in the hot water, but the planet (and your water bill!) will thank you for jumping out a few minutes earlier. You could even consider using a water-saving showerhead. By regulating the water flow or aerating your water, these showerheads could help you cut down on the water flowing out of your shower by up to 50%.

Next, try only to run the dishwasher or washing machine when there's a full load. Do you really need to waste an entire washing cycle cleaning a few socks?

Finally, fix any leaky taps. More than 3 billion litres of water is lost through leaky pipes, so ensure that you alert your landlord to any potential leaks so they can organise a maintenance visit.

Reduce waste

This might seem like an obvious one, but it's one of the most impactful ways to achieve student sustainability. So, reduce, reuse, and recycle! Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, avoid single-use plastics, and recycle paper, cardboard, and plastics properly. See if you can request a compost bin for your student house. And be sure to check the recycling regulations with your local council - they might be different from what you're used to at home.

Eat more plant-based foods

Eating less meat and more plant-based foods can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. You don't need to cut out meat overnight, but consider incorporating more vegetarian or vegan meals into your diet. There are lots of recipes available online, and meat substitutes are becoming more affordable (and delicious) every day. Quorn chicken nuggets, anyone? You could also join a local food co-op or farmer's market to source local, sustainable produce.

Use eco-friendly products

Eco-friendly products have a less negative impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle. As sustainability becomes more of a priority for both corporations and consumers, there are far more options available on the market. Try to choose more eco-friendly cleaning products, toiletries and personal care items. Look for products with minimal packaging or packaging that can be recycled, and choose products that are made from natural, sustainable ingredients.

How are you becoming more eco-friendly this Earth Day? We'd love to hear how you've incorporated sustainable practices into your student lifestyle. Share your tips and tricks with us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook so we can all make greener choices together.