Going to college is a huge milestone in any young person's life. The start of a new school year can be an exciting and overwhelming time, especially when it comes to packing for school.
You want to make sure you have everything you need, but with a minimal environmental impact. That's why we've put together this zero waste college packing list.
The average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper. [ct.gov]
That statistic needs to change, and you can help make that happen!
Students have a limited budget, and one of the most important aspects of the zero-waste lifestyle is to use what you already have. For both those reasons, I recommend you only buy new items if you really need to.
However, if you need to buy new, I've listed my recommendations of the most affordable and environmentally friendly versions of everything you'll need for the new term ahead.
Contents
Your eco-friendly packing list starts with your dorm room essentials like bedding, pillows, laundry and cleaning supplies, toiletries, and food storage.
If you've managed to secure a place on campus, the good news is you don't have to worry about furniture.
A study of 22 universities reported that 100% of on-campus residence hall floor plans were fully furnished. 70% of on-campus apartment floor plans were furnished ("Comparing the Costs of On-Campus and Off-Campus Student Housing," NMHC, 2018).
Most schools expect students to bring their own bedding (sheets, comforters, and pillows). For example, UCLA, UT Austin, NYU, UMN Duluth, and FSU all say to bring linens. In my time at Oregon Tech, I also had to provide my own.
The good part is that when you provide your own bedding, you get to choose sustainable materials and a style and color that suits you. Be sure to choose organic and sustainable bedding. and avoid synthetic materials.
Some of the best materials are organic cotton or bamboo. Most U.S. dorm beds are Twin XL, which is about 80" x 36–39" (203 x 91–99 cm). Check with your school's accommodation department if you're unsure.
Remember to bring two sets of sheets so you can rotate when one is in the laundry.
If you're bringing a pillow, try opting for a certified organic pillow like the Avocado Green Pillow, made from kapok and latex. They're a great option because they don't contain any synthetic materials, so they're biodegradable and can be composted at the end of their life cycle.
Also, don't forget the comforter! Dorm rooms get cold in the winter months, especially in northern states.
Invest in eco-friendly organic comforters made from GOTS-certified cotton, which look great on your bed.
Chances are you won't be the first person to have slept on the mattress in your room. Colleges that publish data on mattress replacement, such as Grand Valley University, state that they replace them every 7 years.
So, for hygiene and to protect against allergens and bed bugs, you'll want to fit a mattress protector.
It's well worth spending a few bucks extra on an organic and non-toxic mattress protector, such as the waterproof organic cotton option from PlushBeds.
After all, you won't look very eco-friendly if you sleep on a layer of PVC!
Speaking of laundry, it was a bit of a shock for me when I had to start doing my own. The good news is, it's not that hard a chore.
Set a good example for your friends by choosing laundry detergents and fabric softeners that are plant-based and biodegradable.
You might not be able to get these around campus, so it's best to bring a supply with you.
There are a number of great eco-friendly laundry detergents on the market these days, like Dropps and Tru Earth.
For fabric softener, you can try using wool dryer balls. They help to soften clothes naturally and don't contain any harsh chemicals.
Like it all now, dorm rooms do need to be cleaned now and again! So try to choose cleaning supplies that are plant-based and biodegradable.
Say no to harsh chemicals and choose one of the eco-friendly cleaning brands out there, like Force Of Nature and ECOS.
You can also find recipes for DIY cleaning supplies online. Just make sure to pack them in reusable containers!
Your dorm room is your own personal space, so you'll probably want to add a few personal touches to create a look that you're happy with. But remember to think green when choosing your decor.
Many people use sustainably made area rugs, throws, or even an eco-friendly wall hanging to brighten up their dorm room.
You can also try using solar-powered lights or natural fabrics for bedding and curtains.
Toiletries need replacing regularly, so they often produce the most waste. But it's easy enough to choose cruelty-free and eco-friendly toiletries for college without breaking your budget.
Our eco-friendly bathroom & beauty products page has reviews on just about every type of eco-friendly toiletries and cosmetics you could think of.
As a minimum, I recommend you pack the following.
Also, I can't finish up without giving you the most obvious (but frequently overlooked) piece of advice: don't forget your toothbrush!
Keep plastic and disposable packaging to an absolute minimum. Prioritize products that come in refillable glass jars, and brands that use 100% natural ingredients.
College students have to eat, but accidents happen, especially in shared kitchens. So you won't want to be taking Mom's best china plates with you!
Bamboo plates and trays like these from Belari are a great option for students. They're affordable, sustainable, easy to clean, and durable.
Check out our picks of the best eco-friendly dinnerware for more options.
If you're planning to store any food in your dorm room, try to choose glass or stainless steel containers, and avoid buying any new plastic.
Using plastic that you already own is fine. Buying new plastic items is not cool.
If you need to pack snacks, try using reusable cloth bags or beeswax food wraps. They're both durable and eco-friendly!
When you're out and about around campus, it matters what you wear and what you carry. A reusable hot drinks and water bottle, and eco-friendly clothes and accessories are all essential elements of a sustainable collegiate lifestyle.
One of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact as a student is to ditch disposable cups and bottles.
These days, you're going to get frowned upon for buying any sort of single-use plastic. It's the wrong thing to do, so set a good example for your friends.
Bring a healthy, sustainable drink bottle with you to campus and fill it up at the tap! You can also find coffee shops that offer discounts for people who bring their own cups.
As a student, your choice of clothing is probably the best way to make a statement about who you are. So be sure to dress green.
If you're buying any new clothes for college, try to choose clothes made from sustainable materials like organic cotton or bamboo.
There are some great ethical fashion brands out there, and they look and feel better than the crappy fast fashion rubbish that you find in the mall.
And if you like to accessorize, there are plenty of ethical and sustainable jewelry brands around these days, too.
You can also look for second-hand clothing at thrift stores or online.
One of the most important things to pack for college is a good pair of shoes! You'll want shoes that are comfortable and stylish, but also eco-friendly.
Just like with your clothing, you can find some amazing sustainable shoe brands that make incredible quality products, so you can make the responsible choice without compromising on style.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, try buying used shoes online or at a thrift store.
The final part of your packing list is the items you'll need for study.
A laptop is pretty much essential these days, along with a suitable bag to carry it in. You'll also want a cellphone and a sturdy biodegradable cover to protect it, plus pens, paper, and other stationery essentials.
When choosing a backpack for college, try to find one made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, upcycled rubber, natural cork, or recycled PET plastic.
There are several sustainable backpacks on the market that carry your books, laptop, and mobile devices. The TerraThread backpack is my personal standout pick.
If that doesn't suit, the Patagonia Stealth Backpack and the Fjallraven Kanken backpack are both good alternatives.
You can also try upcycling an old backpack or buying a used one online or at a thrift store.
Your tech is going to be a big part of your life, and there's no denying it uses a lot of energy. But we can certainly do all we can to carry and charge it in an environmentally conscious way.
Make sure to bring your own chargers and cords, and try to find ones that are made from sustainable materials like recycled plastic.
You can also try using solar-powered chargers or portable power banks.
For most of us, our phone is a big part of our everyday life. So keep it looking cool and make it last longer with a recycled phone case.
Your zero-waste college experience includes course textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and everything else on your desk.
There are a number of great eco-friendly brands out there, like Recycled Paper Products and Greenworks.
Amazon is normally my go-to place for any type of recycled stationery and school supplies.
You can also find second-hand school supplies online - particularly course textbooks.
So if your course has provided you with a reading list already, you could try to pick these up in advance (before everyone else thinks of it). You'll save a lot of money that way as well.
Need more tips on how to be sustainable in college? Here are 12 great ways to go zero waste in college and save money at the same time.
Following as many of these as you can will help you on your zero-waste journey.
The most important piece of advice from a college graduate who wishes she were still there?
Have Fun!
College is the best time of your life, so you don't want to waste a single minute worrying about having forgotten something.
Eco-friendly packing for college doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. With a little bit of research, you can find sustainable alternatives for everything on your packing list.
From your shoes and technology all the way down to your cleaning supplies and dorm room decor, you can make sustainable choices without compromising on style or affordability.
I've tried to make this list exhaustive. You may not need everything on it, but at least it means you won't forget anything.
And if you're looking for more tips about how to reduce waste at home before starting school this fall, be sure to check out our guide to affordable Zero Waste Living.
I hope you found this post helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, or if there's anything I've forgotten, please get in touch and let me know.
