So, you wanna be the cool, eco-conscious kid on campus? Or maybe you’re just tired of all the plastic junk piling up in your dorm (been there, done that). Either way, you’re in the right spot. I’ve rounded up the absolute must-haves for anyone looking to make their college life a little greener—and, let’s be honest, a lot more stylish.

Why Even Bother With Eco-Friendly College Essentials?

Okay, here’s the deal. College students toss out so much crap every year—like, mountains of it. I read somewhere (shoutout GreenCitizen) that it’s about 640 pounds per person. That’s enough to build a small fort out of ramen wrappers and busted highlighters. So why not… not do that? Going eco doesn’t just mean you’re saving the planet—you’re also saving cash, turning your room into a Pinterest board, and maybe even impressing your crush with your environmental swagger. Win-win-win.

The Top 10 Eco-Friendly College Essentials: My No-BS Picks

1. Recycled Notebooks and Paper Look, trees don’t want to die for your Chem 101 notes. Grab some recycled notebooks (the Decomposition brand ones are super cute). Or just use the leftover pages from last year’s notebook—I won’t tell.
2. Reusable Water Bottles If I see you with another sad, crinkly plastic bottle, we’re having words. Get yourself a Klean Kanteen or something similar. Bonus: Lots of campus coffee joints knock a few cents off if you bring your own cup. Free caffeine, less landfill. Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.
3. Sustainable Backpacks Those old JanSports made of who-knows-what? Time to upgrade. Go for backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles, hemp, or organic cotton—Patagonia and Fjallraven have options, or just hit up your nearest thrift store for a one-of-a-kind find.
4. Refillable Pens and Pencils Why are we still buying single-use pens in 2025? Pilot makes refillable ones that last basically forever. Less plastic, less guilt, more doodling during lectures.
5. Plant-Based Art Supplies For the artsy folks: swap your old markers for plant-based ones. Dixon’s soy crayons are weirdly satisfying (and yes, you can still eat them—kidding, don’t eat them).
6. Eco-Friendly Dorm Bedding Bamboo sheets are soft as heck and don’t shed those annoying microplastics. Or organic cotton if you’re fancy. Either way, you’ll sleep better knowing your sheets aren’t wrecking the planet.
7. Reusable Lunch Containers Tupperware is out, stainless steel or silicone is in. Crann Organic has some nice ones. And you can say goodbye to sketchy microwaved plastic smells.
8. Solar-Powered Calculators Seriously, stop buying those cheap battery-powered calculators. Solar-powered ones are everywhere now (and, honestly, they just look cooler).
9. Biodegradable Highlighters Highlight away without the eco-guilt. Stubby Pencil Studio has these awesome highlighters that won’t live in a landfill forever. Bright colors, happy planet.
10. Reusable Tote Bags If you don’t have a tote bag yet, are you even in college? Grab one made of recycled material or canvas. They’re perfect for groceries, books, or hiding your laundry when your mom comes to visit.

Extra Tips for Not Ruining the Planet While in College

• Reuse Stuff: No shame in using last year’s supplies. Honestly, who cares?
• Second-Hand Everything: Textbooks, room decor, clothes—thrift it, baby. You’ll save money and probably find something cooler than what’s at Target.
• Don’t Waste Food: Leftovers go in reusable containers (see above), and if your campus has a food-sharing program, get in on that.
• Go Digital: If you can, take notes on your laptop or tablet. Less paper, less mess.
• Buy From the Good Guys: Support brands that actually give a damn about the environment (Makeena’s got some good recs).

Still Confused? Need More Green Tips?

Hit up the Green Campus Team (green@campus.org) or Sarah Lee, who’s basically the queen of eco-programs at our school. Or Mike, who’s probably running an event even as you read this. They can hook you up with more tips or get you involved if you want to do more than just buy bamboo sheets.

Bottom Line:

You don’t have to live in a treehouse or eat only kale to make a difference. Just swap a few things, reuse what you can, and don’t be afraid to rock that weird thrift store backpack. The planet—and your wallet—will thank you. Green 2025, here we come.

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