Student vs. The Environment
There is a definite trade-off between student/university life and sustainability.
The average student knows about the threat that climate change poses on our present and future. But it’s hard to care or make any changes in our day-to-day life when the options out there are either highly inconvenient or, as in most cases, non-existent.
So this blog is a rant. Enjoy.
Travel
Even with travel passes and student discounts, public transport, particularly buses and trains, are extortionate! Not to mention that the system is faulty and flawed; with buses/trains not arriving on time, not being frequent enough and being long-ass journeys. If parking is free, having a car is a much easier alternative. When a 15-minute car journey is the equivalent of 40 minutes on a crowded bus (with the price being relatively similar, if not lower for car petrol) then obviously the less sustainable option of the car will be taken. Especially in a place like Swansea, where I live, the city is often battered by coastal storms; people don’t want to be waiting around for a bus! Not to mention that the bus system falls apart in the evenings, weekends and holiday periods, and with the recent strikes!
*Also, you’re not normally allowed to take surfboards on buses :/
Eating
Being vegan/vegetarian… It is simply not affordable for students. Regardless of the current cost of living crisis, many students struggle financially already and weekly budgeting for food and transport, let alone leisure time and alcohol, is such a massive issue. The vegan and vegetarian substitutes for meat and then other dairy and animal products are extortionately expensive. No affordable options, no convenient options. Convenience is key when you’re living as a cash-strapped, over-worked uni student! Furthermore, how are we meant to eat locally and seasonally when we aren’t given local or seasonal options?
*At my nearest shop, the price for a pint of oat milk is £1.75, but the price for the same amount of milk is only £1.10. 65p is a big difference!
Housing
Many halls of residence for first years, and student homes for others, are really badly insulated. Single pane window, leakages in rooves, walls without the necessary insulation, drafts. We have no choice but to crank the central heating up to high (if you’re lucky because I had no heating in my flat for the first 4 months… in Swansea… in winter). We spend so much on energy as students! There must be more sustainable and economic options out there for us right?
Toiletries
Toiletries/beauty products that are more sustainable and eco-friendlier are far more expensive than regular products (I found a ‘natural deodorant’ that cost £12.50 the other day, it wasn’t even refillable!) Where are we even meant to find refills for all our essentials in a place like Swansea? I only know of one shop in the entire city that offers a refill options. Having to go out and search for a more sustainable option in shops is time consuming and then the product is usually more expensive than the normal, less sustainable option. It’s just not convenient!
Bins
In Swansea, it seems like there is a big effort to sort and recycle our rubbish. Even the waste bins in the street make a point to guilt trip you about the fact your putting things into landfill. But I swear, my university doesn’t actually recycle… For example, our lovely cleaner for our flat just puts all our rubbish (landfill and recyclables) in the same bag when she comes to collect it. And I got an email from my accommodation manager the other day asking that all students ensure we use the compostable bags for the food bins. But, it’s a silly request because we aren’t provided with compostable bag even though we pay the uni for them… It’s just another item on the shopping list that we can’t afford!
Fashion
I have to admit, clothing an issue that is more easily solved. The abundance of online and in person second hand/charity shops should make sustainable and slow fashion a lot easier. Yes, many people are still going to fast fashion brands such as Shein and PLT for a quick fix for whatever event their society is hosting, or the numerous nights out in town. But for many, at least in Swansea, second hand bargain hunting has practically become an Olympic sport. There is actually a known route for visiting all the charity shops in the city center. And we’re lucky enough to have quite a few kilo sales each month. Selling clothes second hand online, as well, has become a sustainable and slow-consumerism source of income for many-a-cash-strapped-student. The fashion/consumerism attempts at being more sustainable actually benefit many economically as well!
Taking a deep breath now.
I know that I’m incredibly lucky to be leading the life that I have. I try so hard not to take it for granted. Here I am, trying to do my bit for the environment so others don’t face climate related hard ships, now and in the future. But it feels like the whole system is against us (and lets be honest it kind of is...)
Anyway, I thought this would be an interesting conversation to start and would love to hear what other people have to say! The student struggle is so relatable and I love finding out other people’s tips and tricks or horror stories etc.
So leave a comment, email me or DM me 😊