Student Guide to Living Sustainably - Save Money and Help the Planet

Oct 28, 2026

A student-focused guide on living sustainably while saving money at the University of Bath. It explains how to balance sustainability with budgets through practical actions: planning meals to cut food waste, storing leftovers, choosing more plant-based options, and reducing costs from online shopping and clothing swaps. It also covers low-waste routines for fashion, haircare, waste reduction, reusable cups and bottles, period products, refilling habits, and repairing or borrowing items.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Food

Plan ahead

Make leftovers count

More vegetables = more money

Fashion

Munch Box and the Community Fridge

Too Good To Go

Swap clothes and discover vintage

Try selling before donating

Give makeovers a go

Waste and Reuse

Save on coffee

use your student discount

Embrace a reusable bottle

Using soap bars

Period products

Repair or borrow

Try refilling

A student’s guide on how to save money and the plane the University of Bath. Sometimes Actually, the greenest it feels like... purchase is the one you have to choose you don 't make between saving money and being eco-friendly. And other times... it feels like what’s the point in trying when it seems no one else wants to. But actually... 60% of university students want to learn more about sustainability and make a difference. Also, 42% of university students (that’s nearly half) are looking to pursue careers that actively tackle climate change. You can save money Sometimes the sustainable choice can be more expensive but in this guide we’ve shared top tips to show this isn’t always the case. And make a difference Helping the planet isn’t all up to you but individual actions do have an impact. These tips will help you make a positive impact on your wallet and the environment. Did you know? On average, students throw away £5.25 worth of food every week. That’s £273 a year. Plan ahead Making a shopping list and a meal plan before going food shopping can save you an average of £200 a year. Make leftovers count If you make too much food, put it in the fridge, it can last 3-4 days there or more in the freezer. Plus, it will save you money on eating out when you don't need to. More vegetables = more money A plant-based diet could make your food shop a third cheaper. If your weekly shop is £40, that's more than £13 you could save by cutting out meat and dairy. If you want to save money but still try it eat meat and dairy, you could try forgoing plat-based at home but not a month whenfamilyyaonudrefroutienfodsr meals or at andsee Food Did you know? 74% of Bath students said that beef and lamb should be replaced on campus to reduce the University's environmental impact. Food Munch Box and the Community Fridge You can pay £2.50 for a container full of leftover food from campus restaurants with Munch Box. The Community Fridge is outside Fresh supermarket on campus and is there for you to leave in-date food to avoid it going to waste, and also take food for free. Too Good To Go An app that lets you buy a bag of leftover food from The Market and Fresh supermarket on campus, as well as restaurants in Bath for really cheap. couldbefor tomorrows' lunch Make the most of it When cooking, try using everything. For example, the stem of a broccoli tastes good and gives a great crunch to a stir fry. Pumpkin and squash seeds with salt go in the oven to ma ke a tasty snack. Did you know? On average, second-hand clothes are 30% cheaper than buying brand new. That means if you've put aside £30 for a new jumper, you could buy one secondhand for £21 and save that extra £9 for something else. Save money while online shopping If you've got your eye on a ew itemhecking's alwconda- s woandhnline this goesfor shops before you buy. everything, You could find the same item notjust or sometcheaper.hing even better, for clothes Here's a few shops to get you started: Depop, Thrift+, Vinted, Asos Marketplace, Rokit, Thrifted, Beyondretro, Oxfam online. Swap clothes and discover vintage The Students' Union and the Sustainable Fashion Society at Bath regularly put on clothes swaps and vintage fairs, follow them on Instagram to keep up to date @ uob_sustainable_fashion. Fashion Some charity shop hidden gems are: Dorothy House on Argyle Street. Mercy inAction on Union Passage, Women's refuge on Walcot Street, Did you know? Students at Bath spend an average of £42 a month on clothes and sometimes the items don't get worn more than 3 times. Try selling before donating People say that Vinted is the easiest platform to sell on. Try it out to give your old clothes a second chance and maybe make some money too. Explore charity shops Buying from charity shops is not only good foryour bank account and the planet but it's also for a great cause. Plus, you

FAQs

How can students save money and reduce food waste?

Plan meals and shop with a list to save money, and use a fridge/freezer plan to keep leftovers for days. The guide also highlights apps and services for discounted leftover food, reducing waste while keeping costs down.

What sustainable food changes does the guide recommend?

It suggests eating more vegetables and notes that a plant-based diet could reduce weekly food costs. It also mentions replacing beef and lamb on campus to reduce the university’s environmental impact.

Which clothing and beauty habits help both the budget and the environment?

Buy second-hand, attend clothes swaps and vintage fairs, and sell items before donating. For haircare and personal routines, it recommends shampoo bars, reusable cups, and refilling instead of buying disposable or single-use options.

Oct 28, 2026

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