Everyday Sustainable Decisions for Eco-Conscious Students

Sustainability is a topic on everyone’s lips. Brands are going ‘green’, recycle bins are commonplace, and celebrities can no longer jump on their private jets without the public calculating their carbon omissions.

Sustainability is based on resource conservation, social responsibility, and eco-friendly practices. It is a lighthouse that points the way for humanity to live in harmony with the environment. Fundamentally, sustainability is a conscious commitment to the health of our world rather than just a concept. It pushes for a change in society that is more lasting and responsible.

But making eco-conscious decisions is not always as easy as it seems. With hidden hurdles such as higher costs for ‘eco’ branded products, greenwashing abundant in marketing, and recycling programmes reliant on governmental support to execute, there are certain blockages to overcome. Below, we’ve compiled small, easy ways that everyone, especially students on the Dubai Knowledge Park campus at Middlesex University Dubai, can make good decisions to help the environment.  

Water Bottles:

Choosing to carry a water bottle has become a concrete way for people to change the world. According to Our World In Data, one to two million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans yearly, and a lot of this can be attributed to single-use plastic bottles. Simply investing in a bottle that can be filled at a water dispenser available around campus, or one of Dubai’s ‘Dubai Can’ public refill taps can be significant in reducing the need for disposable bottles.

Reducing Single-Use Plastic:

Single-use plastics are exactly as they sound: items made from plastic that are intended to be used once. This includes plastic cups, cutlery, plates, containers, bottles, balloons, straws and more. Most of these items can be avoided by simply thinking ahead, for example bringing re-usable tubs to store and transport food, purchasing a reusable straw (or simply not using one!), and only taking what utensils you require at lunchtime. These small acts add up, and the impact is valuable.

Let's Talk Notebooks:

Consider those notebooks we use for scribbles and doodles – they can be a vehicle for sustainable choices without compromising functionality. The smallest change you can make is simple: Use every page. The more pages you leave blank or half-filled, the quicker you will get through your notebook and need another one. Each notebook purchased is paper that has been harvested from around the world, using energy and removing a valuable life source that then needs to be replaced.

The second thing you can consider is recycled paper. If you look around, you’ll find that a lot of notebooks are now made from recycled materials. By opting for notebooks with a second life, you're not just writing notes; you're making a statement about your commitment to responsible consumption. It's a small action with a profound environmental impact.

Recycling Bins:

Middlesex University Dubai has strategically placed recycling bins around Dubai Knowledge Park campus not just for convenience but as a subtle reminder of our collective responsibility. These bins are more than receptacles; they're catalysts for change, nudging each campus community member, including you and me, to do our part. In these bins you can recycle plastic, cans, and paper.

Getting Thrifty:

It can be easy to get carried away with style and fashion when you’re at a bustling university like Middlesex University Dubai with your peers around you each day, but by now we all know the damage of over-consumption and fast fashion.

Making sustainable choices when it comes to your clothing is surprisingly easy right now, as thrifting and second-hand items are firmly in style. The downfall? Hiked up prices to fit the trend, of course! But don’t be disheartened; just making the decision to not buy something you don’t need saves damage to both your wallet, and the landfill.

As we navigate the seas of sustainability, it becomes evident that our choices carry the weight of collective impact, no matter how seemingly inconsequential. Sustainability isn't just a concept; it's a conscious commitment echoing through our everyday decisions.

When we practice sustainability consistently and spread it to others, good change spreads like wildfire. As we look forward to a day when adopting these sustainable behaviours will come naturally to us, let's continue to care for our world and leave a legacy of peace and conscientious living for future generations.