Going green can help you to stay out of the red, as Michelle Higgs explains
“You can easily save electricity by only washing a full load of clothes at 30°C and using an airer or an outside washing line to dry them instead of a tumble dryer”
“If your house-share has a water meter, you’ll only pay for the water you use. So, if you and your housemates avoid wasting water, the bill should be lower!”
“Learn to cook meals from scratch to avoid buying ready meals, and take a packed lunch with you to uni”
Facts/stats
89% of student respondents recycle their household waste in everyday life
(SOS UK, 2024 survey)
In the UK, 350,000 tonnes of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill every year
(Clothes Aid)
69% of 18-24-year-olds are willing to buy a refurbished device
(YouGov, 2025)
You might think that going eco-friendly is a luxury you can’t afford as a student. While it does require more thoughtful purchase choices and a bit of research, it can actually save you quite a bit of money. It’s a win-win for you and the planet!
Want to start making a difference? Read on to find out how.
Save energy
Gas and electricity bills are still rising, so it’s important to do all you can to reduce them. At the same time, you’ll be helping the environment by decreasing the burning of fossil fuels. If possible, choose an energy supplier that provides 100% renewable energy.
Check if your energy company offers a reward scheme for customers who use less electricity at peak times. You can easily save electricity by only washing a full load of clothes at 30°C and using an airer or an outside washing line to dry them instead of a tumble dryer. Remember to turn lights off when you leave a room, and only boil as much water in the kettle as you need. Also, turn devices off at the wall when fully charged because they will still be using electricity.
During the winter, you can cut your heating bills instantly by reducing the thermostat by 1°C. Use draught excluders across door thresholds to prevent heat loss; wear more layers inside; and buy throws to cosy up when watching TV. Make sure you understand how to set the thermostat timer so that it comes on before you get up in the morning and goes off when you go out, and vice versa in the evening.
Stop wasting water
Water is a precious resource that shouldn’t be taken for granted. If your house-share has a water meter, you’ll only pay for the water you use. So if you and your housemates avoid wasting water, the bill should be lower! Check if your water company provides free water-saving devices that may help. You can also save water by not leaving the tap running when you brush your teeth; taking shorter showers (4 minutes or less); and using a bowl in the sink to wash up. An energy-efficient dishwasher can be even more eco-friendly, but only with a full load.
If your property doesn’t have a water meter, you’ll be on a standard tariff. You can’t save money on your bill because it’s calculated on the property’s rateable value. There’s just one water company per area so you can’t shop around either. Find out online if the bill would be lower with a water meter, but you’ll need the landlord’s permission to have one installed; installation is usually free. If you’re in Scotland, there’s a hefty fee for installation so it’s not worth considering. Even if you don’t have a water meter, you can still do your bit to save water!
Reduce, reuse, recycle
You may think of this just as a slogan, but it’s a mantra to live by if you want to help save the planet. The most important step is to reduce the waste you create personally. You can do this in various ways, for instance, not buying pre-packed fruit or veg, and using refillable water bottles and coffee cups will cut your single-use plastic waste.
Reusing items and materials gives them a new lease of life before they are recycled. Jam jars can store stationery items; old towels can be cut up for cleaning cloths; and damaged wellies and boots can become plant pots. Advertise unwanted household items on Freecycle or Freegle so that someone else can reuse them (you can use the service yourself if you’re looking for free furnishings).
Recycling is probably the easiest of the three to understand, so check what things your local council collects and when the collections are. Some items can’t be recycled through household collections, but that doesn’t mean they should be binned! For example, bread bags, biscuit wrappers and crisp packets can be taken to large supermarkets for recycling (look for ‘soft plastic’ collection receptacles). Water filter cartridges can also be recycled at supermarkets, and you can post printer cartridges back to the manufacturer.
Get food savvy
When it comes to what you eat, think about the negative impact of food miles on the environment. To do your bit, shop local and try to only buy fruit and veg that’s in season. You can also reduce any potential food waste by buying frozen veg instead of fresh.
Anything that’s pre-prepared will always cost more and will usually be wrapped in single-use plastic. Instead, learn to cook meals from scratch to avoid buying ready meals, and take a packed lunch with you to uni. Consider eating less meat and choose more plant-based options, which is better for the environment and often cheaper. Finally, have a go at growing your own food, such as tomatoes and strawberries – this works well even on a small patio.
Keep tech for longer
As a student, your laptop and phone are essential, but the trend is to upgrade tech as soon as a new version comes out. This is bad news for the environment because electronic devices take huge amounts of energy and resources to manufacture, and it’s difficult to recycle the components. Not only that, constantly replacing tech is an unnecessary drain on your finances.
If you want to be more eco-friendly, hold on to your devices for as long as possible. When the time comes to replace them, consider nearly new refurbished versions rather than brand-new ones, which cost far less. Plus, if you choose a laptop or phone that’s been professionally refurbished by the brand, or by a specialist tech retailer, there will often be a similar guarantee to brand-new versions.
Avoid fast fashion
The fashion industry wants everyone to buy new clothes every season, but you don’t have to do that. If you steer clear of fast fashion, it will be better for the environment – and your wallet. Instead, buy second-hand, pre-loved or vintage clothing. Not only will you get one-of-a-kind quality items at a bargain price, you’ll also save them going to landfill. Before buying any item, check that it fits well and goes with other things you already own.
If you have much-loved clothes with broken zips or missing buttons, get them repaired so you can wear them again. Or if they are too big or too small, have them professionally altered. Old clothes that are not in good enough condition to go to a charity shop should always be recycled rather than throwing them away.
Travel green
Cars have always been more convenient than public transport, but they are not kind to the environment. For short journeys, make it a rule that you only ever walk or cycle – this helps to keep you fit and saves you money on transport costs. Use cars less often (unless you’re getting a lift with someone) and consider the train for longer journeys home or for weekends away. You can get a third off train fares with a Student Railcard, and you could potentially pay less than half the usual price when combined with the cheapest Advance and Off-Peak tickets.
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5 eco-friendly apps
Electricity Cost Calculator (Android, free)
Use this simple app to calculate the cost of running electrical appliances and devices in your accommodation.
Eye on Water (Android, iOS, free)
A useful app that allows you to connect to supported water utility accounts to better understand your water usage.
Freegle (Android, iOS, free)
This app is great for finding free stuff for your room at uni, or if you want to find a new home for your old things instead of throwing them away.
Repair Café
Not an app but a useful website (https://www.repaircafe.org/en/) to find a Repair Café near you to fix broken or damaged electrical items, furniture, textiles and more.
Too Good To Go (Android, iOS, free)
Help end food waste with this brilliant app, which lists local eateries offering unsold snacks, meals and ingredients – all at a great discount.
