Trying to live a little greener this term? This World Environment Day, there’s no better time to think about how your everyday actions can support a healthier planet. There is no denying that climate change isn’t in the hands of individual responsibility, but that shouldn’t stop us from thinking about how we can live a more eco-friendly life each and every day. At KCLSU, we care deeply about minimising our carbon footprint as much as possible, and King’s has put in place several sustainable facilities to help us make the right choices for our planet.
Here are 5 easy ways to be more sustainable at King’s, with resources from each of our 4 campuses. You’ll be surprised at how easy they are to replicate!
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Ditch Single-Use Bottles For Campus Water Fountains
One of the easiest swaps you can make is ditching single-use plastic bottles in favour of refilling your own. Each King’s campus has accessible water fountains, making it super convenient to top up your bottle wherever you are.
At Denmark Hill, you’ll find fountains in the main foyer and café, while Bush House at Strand has one on every floor next to the accessible toilets and lifts. Guy’s students can refill at the reception of the Hodgkin Building, and Waterloo students can use the fountains on every floor of Franklin-Wilkins (check the one next to the microwave in the KCLSU space!).
To make sure you know where the closest water fountain is, you can consult the Strand, Guy's, Waterloo and Denmark Hill facility guides, as well as our own Water Fountain map!
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Reduce Food Waste
Food waste is a big issue across universities, but at King’s, there are some great, easy ways to keep your impact low while eating well. If you’re on Strand Campus, the fully plant-based Roots café on the eighth floor of Bush House NW Wing is a brilliant option for sustainable meals. Even better, King’s Food outlets offer a 50% discount on all food just 50 minutes before closing: don’t walk, run for those jacket potatoes at an unbeatable price!
The Shack café at Strand also features on Too Good To Go, where King’s students can grab leftover sandwiches and snacks for a great price. This is exclusive to King’s students, so make sure you have your deserved share! These small changes help reduce food waste while saving you money: a perfect deal for any student.
- Cycle More, Uber Less
When you’re in a hurry, it might be tempting to jump into a taxi or order a rideshare. But cycling is often faster, cheaper, and far more sustainable. Each campus has access to e-bikes and cycling routes, and if you own a bike, you’ll find secure storage available on site. King’s also offers bike repair facilities at every main location, so a flat tyre doesn’t have to derail your day.
Switching to two wheels is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and make the most of London’s cycle-friendly routes. To find out more, check your campus guide: Strand, Guy's, Waterloo and Denmark Hill all have plenty of choice!
- Recycle Like a Pro
Recycling is one of the simplest ways to support sustainability on campus, but it works best when done properly. All King’s campuses are equipped with clearly marked recycling stations, meaning you’re never more than a few minutes away from the right bin.
Food containers, coffee cups and your glass juice bottle all go in different places, so make sure you take a second to check the signs and sort your waste correctly. Contaminated bins often mean materials can’t be recycled at all, so those extra few seconds really do matter!
- Shop Local & Seasonal
Buying local and eating seasonally is another great way to reduce your footprint while supporting your community. Food that’s grown or prepared nearby often comes with fewer transport emissions, and seasonal produce tends to be fresher and more flavourful, as well as more ethical.
Around campus, you’ll find plenty of independent cafés, bakeries, and grocers offering meals and snacks made with locally sourced ingredients. Swapping out your regular chain coffee shop for a local alternative can help reduce your impact, and often leads to discovering hidden gems you’ll keep coming back to!
Living sustainably as a student isn’t impossible, nor is it tremendously difficult: it’s all about the small actions you can incorporate in your daily routine. With so many resources already built into campus life, it’s easier than you might think to cut waste, reduce emissions, and make a positive impact. Your future self (and the planet) will thank you!