Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Top 10 Tips to Stay Sustainable in Halls
Ready to make a positive impact on our planet while enjoying student life? Here are ten simple yet impactful ways to live more sustainably in halls:
1. Sorting Waste & Recycling Properly
Recycling right is an easy win:
- Separate recyclables from general waste.
- Use the designated recycling bins for paper, plastic, and glass.
- Not sure how to sort certain items? The Recycling on Campus guide is focused around the bins on campus but does shine a light on what to do with those awkward items - like crisp packets and sandwich packaging!
2. Save Energy
Cutting down on energy use is a breeze:
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Unplug chargers and electronics when you’re not using them.
- Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need to avoid wasting electricity.
3. Take Shorter Showers
Every drop counts:
- Aim for quicker showers to save water and energy.
- Use a shower timer to keep track if you need to.
4. Thrift Shopping
Find unique treasures and save the planet:
- Visit local charity shops for clothes, books, and household items.
- Not sure where to start? This Leeds List guide takes you through the ten best thrift shops Leeds has to offer!
5. Choose Sustainable Shops
Support eco-friendly shopping:
- Buy from stores that promote sustainability.
- Check out Shop Zero at City Campus! Bring your own containers and stock up on affordable dried food items. Open on Tuesdays and Thursdays next to The Hive, it’s an great way to cut down on packaging waste.
6. Use Reusable Cups and Water Bottles
Say goodbye to single-use plastics:
- Pack your bags with reusable water bottles and cups to avoid buying single use.
- You can buy a reusable KeepCup from any Beckett Food outlet - the cups are sold at a discounted rate of £8, plus your first drink is free! Afterwards, every time you bring any reusable cup you get 20p off each hot drink!
7. Check Your Device Settings
Make your gadgets greener:
- Turn on energy-saver settings on your laptop or tablet.
- This extends battery life and saves energy when plugged in.
- This one's a tricky one we're all guilty of; try not to fall asleep with your screen on – it wastes electricity and messes with your sleep cycle!
8. Smart Cooking Practices
Cook more sustainably:
- Use a lid when boiling water to trap in heat and save energy.
- Batch cook meals to reduce the use of appliances and save yourself a bit of time another day!
- Check out Tesco's list of best batch cooking recipes; you'll find home comfort classics like Spag Bol, to sensational snacky bits like secret veg sausage rolls!
9. Reduce Food Waste
Be mindful of your munchies:
- Plan your meals and buy only what you need.
- Store food properly to keep it fresh longer - Too Good To Go have a great guide on where's best to store potatoes (and other foodie bits!)
- Speaking of Too Good To Go, for less than a fiver you can rescue a bag of goodies worth triple the amount from cafes, restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets across Leeds and stop them going to waste. Download the app today and look out for opportunities to fight food waste - hey, you might even spot Beckett Kitchen on there... if there's any leftovers!
10. Get Involved in Green Initiatives
Join the green team:
- Participate in green clubs and societies - find a list of active societies through the Student Union.
- Keep an eye out for ResCycle activities and the LBU Sustainability team's workshops to learn, contribute and be part of the community!
ResCycle
Welcome to ResCycle! 🌿 Our mission is to engage students in halls of residence to live sustainably, reduce waste, and inspire others with green living ideas. This is more than just an initiative—it's a community effort where every small action contributes to a bigger impact. Join us in building a legacy of sustainability, following in the footsteps of past residents and paving the way for future ones. Together, we can make a difference, one small step at a time. Let's make our halls greener and our planet healthier! 🌎🌱
