Navigating student life in Czechia, we are faced with choices that extend beyond textbooks and exams. The dormitories, classrooms, and communal spaces become places for us to cultivate new and perhaps interesting habits. Habits that can be geared towards the well-being of our health and the planet.
Here, I present you with some ideas that have helped me live more sustainably as a student:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
· Minimize waste by reducing single-use items such as drinking water bottles and plastic bags for groceries that you will discard after use.
· Before buying something, ask yourself if you really need it or want it. Of course, I want another set of those cute little silver Christmas decorations I got last year!
· Choose products with minimum packaging. Try to buy veggies that are not packed and are loose. Why would you need more layers for an onion?!
· A room with no one inside it doesn’t need lights!
Save Water:
· Use water-saving fixtures and appliances, such as low-flow showerheads and faucets. Be mindful of water usage while washing dishes or doing laundry.
· Try to handwash little items such as t-shirts, socks, and undergarments.
Transportation:
· Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation instead of relying on personal vehicles. Czechia has a well-established public transport system with special offers for students!
Eat Sustainably, go local:
· Choose locally produced and organic foods. One can find imported tropical foods like mangoes and watermelons at the supermarkets. When they arrive in supermarkets, they lose their nutrient value, and their transport leaves a considerable carbon footprint behind.
· Reduce meat consumption, as meat production has a significant environmental footprint. A plant-based diet is not only healthier but more budget-friendly for students!
· Purchase products from local farmers, artisans, and businesses. Go farmer’s market hunting in your town! Trust me, they have the freshest and yummiest produce of the season all the time.
· Always consider the environmental impact of your purchases.
Paper Usage:
· Print only when you have to, and try to use both sides of the paper.
· For taking notes and writing assignments, go digital. One of the apps that has worked for me well is Evernote. It is great for note-taking and task management.
Campus Initiatives:
· Get involved in or support sustainability initiatives on campus. Join environmental clubs or organizations, attend events, and contribute to sustainability efforts within the university community.
· You never know what you can find out or who you will meet at these significant events!
Dorm Living:
· Choose energy-efficient appliances for heating and charging. Before buying a new appliance, always take a look at its energy consumption rate.
· Winters might be gloomy in Czechia, but whenever the sun is out, open those big windows and let the natural light do its magic!
Reduce Fast Fashion:
· Choose clothing items that are durable, timeless, and made from sustainable materials. Avoid the fast fashion cycle that contributes to excessive waste, not to mention unethical labour and resource exploitation.
· Many universities will have a place or a club where students can give away the stuff they don’t need. Do keep an eye out for such places.
· Try out the thrift stores in your town!
Educate Yourself:
· Stay informed about environmental issues and sustainability practices—knowledge advocates for positive change.
· Always be informed about whatever you are eating, wearing, and using.
Living sustainably is a continuous learning process, and even small lifestyle changes can make a positive impact. Whether you are a scientist, poet, therapist, or economist, everyone must not make the present pollution and climate change scenario worse. From waste reduction to mindful consumption, the avenues for sustainable choices are diverse and impactful. Every problem must always be dealt with at its very source, and we as students need to become a part of the solution (rather than the problem!).