Sustainable College Prep: Eco-Friendly Essentials for Campus Life

Counting down the days until you head off to college and set up your eco-friendly dorm room?

Deciding what to bring, packing up your things, and getting ready for the big day is one of the most exciting and overwhelming chapters of campus life.

And a great time to embrace a sustainable lifestyle! Between classes, takeout runs, and parties, it’s easy to end up with tons of waste. But if you’d like to incorporate sustainability in your college planning, you’re in the right place!

We’ve put together a quick checklist of sustainable college essentials and eco-friendly dorm must-haves so you can go green on campus from day one. Plus, we’ve added a few extra tips to make move-in day more sustainable. 

So, let’s dive right in! 

Sustainable College Essentials Checklist

We know it’s tough to focus on sustainability when you’re juggling a busy schedule and a tight budget. That’s why we’ve compiled a few sustainable college essentials that will be useful during the next four years and even long after graduation.

And remember: Even if you can only make a few small changes, they can still go a long way to reduce your environmental impact on campus. 

Zero Waste School Supplies

Eco-friendly Backpack/Laptop Bags

If you have an old backpack that’s in good shape, reusing it would be the most eco-friendly choice. Alternatively, you could shop for this sustainable college essential at a thrift store. 

If you need something new, you could invest in a durable, ethically-made backpack so you don’t have to buy a new one again for a while. 

Refillable Pens and Highlighters

You can swap traditional pens and highlighters for refillable ones. These sustainable college essentials will help you cut down on waste and save money over the next few years.

Notebooks and Textbooks

Notebooks are another college essential you can’t miss. But let’s be honest, you’ll rarely fill them up completely. So, before buying new ones, check if you have any partially used notebooks that can still do the job. And as for textbooks, you can always seek second-hand options online or borrow them from students who’ve already taken the class. Many universities keep copies of required textbooks in the school library which you can easily borrow or work from. 

Recycled Printer Cartridges

An eco-friendly way to meet your college printing needs is to use recycled printer cartridges. 

Usually, ink cartridges end up in landfills, but using recycled options helps prevent waste. You can purchase this sustainable college essential from ethical companies like TomatoInk to protect the environment and save money!

Ethical Bank Account

If you’re considering opening your first bank account, why not choose an ethical bank?

Banks fund projects with customers’ deposits, so it’s a good idea to choose one that aligns with your values. Choosing an ethical bank is the best way to ensure your money supports initiatives that truly benefit the environment and society.

Climate First Bank, for example, is a great option to promote clean energy, climate action, and access to affordable housing and education. In 2023, this climate-focused bank financed $152 million in mission-driven projects and over 42,000 kW of solar energy systems!

Eco-Friendly Must-Haves for Eating & Drinking

Here are a few sustainable college essentials every eco-friendly student should have:

• Reusable water bottle

• Reusable coffee cup

• Bamboo utensils

• Tote bag for grocery shopping

• Stainless steel container for food storage

• Stasher bags or beeswax wraps for snacks

Don’t have time or space to cook? Skip fast foods and opt for healthy delivery services. 

Vegin’ Out is a fantastic choice to eat well-balanced, plant-based foods. This vegan delivery service offers healthy, organic meals delivered straight to your dorm. Convenient, healthy, and sustainable!

Another simple way to cut down on waste is to bring your own snacks instead of grabbing them from vending machines. You could opt for healthy snacks, like fresh or dried fruits, hummus, nuts, seeds, veggies, overnight oats, etc.

Affordable Eco-friendly Dorm Must-haves

We haven’t forgotten about your sustainable dorm room! Below, you’ll find the most common eco-friendly dorm must-haves for a zero waste college experience:

Sustainable Dorm Room Decor

One of the most exciting parts of heading off to college is decorating your dorm room.

And luckily, there are many affordable and sustainable ways to do it.

To add personality to your eco-friendly dorm room, decorate it with plants, DIY and upcycled decor, rugs, candles, blankets, cushions, posters, curtains, and any other items you like.

Pro Tip: You can find some of these eco-friendly dorm must-haves at thrift stores, FB groups, online marketplaces, and even near the college campus. Some students get rid of furniture and decorations at the end of the semester, so you might want to keep an eye out near college dorms and apartments!

Organic Bedding & Sheets

If you need new sheets, comforters, blankets, duvets, or pillows for your dorm or apartment, opt for organic materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton or bamboo. These sustainable, comfy fibers will keep you sleeping soundly!

At DoneGood, you can find sustainable bedding that fits your values and your bed perfectly.

Eco-friendly Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning isn’t fun, but it’s definitely necessary, especially if you want to get along well with your suite mates. Cleaning products can be loaded with harsh chemicals and generate a lot of waste. To keep your dorm room tidy and toxin-free, it’s best to use non-toxic cleaning products. 

You can buy sustainable college essentials such as plastic-free laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaners from eco-friendly cleaning brands like Meliora and Butter Me Up Organics. 

Alternatively, you can create your own DIY solutions with natural ingredients like white vinegar and baking soda.

Personal Care and Zero Waste Toiletries

Toiletries generate a considerable amount of waste. To avoid this, you could opt for reusable options and zero waste packaging whenever possible. When packing for college, consider bringing these eco-friendly dorm must-haves:

• Bamboo toothbrush

• Natural deodorant

• Toothpaste

• Soap

• Shampoo bar 

• Sunscreen

• Skincare products

• Reusable safety razor

• Bamboo hairbrush and comb

• Towels and robe

• Shower caddy

• Shower shoes

Food Recycler

Food waste is a big contributor to climate change. And unfortunately, the average college student generates around 142 pounds of food waste per year.

If you’re staying in an apartment, you can reduce your food waste with the Mill Food Recycler. This eco-friendly dorm must-have offers a simple solution to turn food waste into dehydrated food grounds. It will process yours and your suite mates leftovers, food scraps, dairy products, and even avocado pits without generating any unpleasant odors! Sign up through DoneGood and get $75 off. 

How to Make Move-in Day More Sustainable

Once you have all your eco-friendly dorm must-haves, make your move-in day as sustainable as possible with these green tips:

• Avoid buying moving boxes. A better alternative would be to look for second-hand options at local retail stores or Buy Nothing groups. This will prevent waste and save money. Similarly, you can rent a few reusable boxes for your moving day. 
  
  

• Wrap fragile items with towels, scarves, sweaters, and blankets instead of using bubble wrap. You can also use newspaper or recycled paper!
  
  

• Swap out plastic tape for eco-friendly paper tape.

Simple Tips to Embrace Sustainability on Campus

If you'd like to live an eco-friendly life as a college student, keep these simple tips in mind to make environmentally conscious choices:

• Before buying any sustainable college essential, look for second-hand options at thrift stores, FB groups, and online marketplaces.
  
  

• Join relevant Facebook groups—like No Buy, resale, or zero-waste communities—to discover budget-friendly, sustainable finds.
  
  

• Always prioritize reusable items over disposable options.
  
  

• Learn campus recycling guidelines and explore eco-friendly disposal alternatives like Ridwell or TerraCycle for hard-to-recycle items. You can recycle chip bags, plastic film, batteries, and candy wrappers with Ridwell (check if they’re available in your city). Similarly, TerraCycle accepts hard-to-dispose items like pens, markers, highlighters, and ink cartridges.
  
  

• Join or even start a campus sustainability club to connect with fellow planet lovers and support each other on your eco journey!

 

Ready to crush your eco-friendly college student era? Pack some of these sustainable college essentials and eco-friendly dorm must-haves to reduce your environmental impact. Even a single swap is a great step toward a more sustainable lifestyle!