Eco Friendly Products for Students: 2025 Campus Essentials
Last Updated: Apr 8, 2025
Did you know that the average student generates over 640 pounds of waste per school year? Between disposable coffee cups, single use notebooks, and plastic packed snacks, campus life can be surprisingly wasteful.
In this guide, we'll explore the best eco friendly products for students. Affordable, practical, and planet friendly swaps for every part of student life. Whether you're moving into a dorm or commuting to class, these sustainable picks will help you reduce waste, save money, and make a real environmental impact.
Why Should Students Use Eco Friendly Products?
Students have a huge opportunity to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Here's why making the switch matters:
Reduce Environmental Impact
The average college campus produces tons of waste, from paper to plastic. Eco friendly products help cut down on landfill contributions.
Save Money Long Term
Reusable items (like water bottles and notebooks) cost more upfront but save cash over time compared to disposables.
Support Ethical Brands
Many eco-conscious companies prioritize fair labor, recycled materials, and carbon neutral shipping.
Encourage Sustainable Habits
Small changes (like using a bamboo toothbrush) can lead to a lifetime of green choices.
By adopting even a few sustainable swaps, students can make a big collective difference!
Essential Eco Friendly School Supplies
Upgrade your backpack with these planet friendly essentials:
📔 Notebooks & Paper Products
- Recycled paper notebooks (Brands: Decomposition, Ecojot)
- Refillable binders (Reduce waste by reusing instead of buying new each semester)
- Erasable/reusable notebooks (Rocketbook, Wipebook - save paper by writing digitally)
✏️ Writing Tools
- Bamboo or plant based pens/pencils (No plastic, biodegradable options)
- Refillable highlighters (Instead of disposable ones)
- Non-toxic, soy-based ink markers
📐 Other Must Haves
- Solar powered calculators (No batteries needed)
- Staplers with reusable metal clips (Avoid plastic staplers)
- Recycled sticky notes
Sustainable Dorm & Lifestyle Products
Make your dorm room greener with these swaps:
🚿 Bath & Personal Care
- Bamboo toothbrush (Biodegradable handle)
- Biodegradable dental floss (No plastic waste)
- Bar shampoo & conditioner (Plastic free, lasts longer)
🍽️ Kitchen & Food Storage
- Reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle (Skip disposable plastic)
- Beeswax wraps (Replace plastic cling wrap)
- Silicone food bags (Instead of single use Ziplocs)
🛏️ Dorm Room Essentials
- Organic cotton or bamboo bedsheets (Sustainable & breathable)
- LED desk lamp (Energy efficient lighting)
- Eco friendly laundry detergent sheets (No plastic jugs)
Zero Waste Tech & Study Accessories
Stay productive while reducing e-waste:
🔋 Sustainable Tech
- Solar powered phone chargers (Great for outdoor studying)
- Refurbished laptops/tablets (Cheaper & reduces e-waste)
- Energy saving power strips (Prevents phantom energy drain)
📚 Study Tools
- E-readers vs. physical textbooks (Weigh the pros and cons)
- Recycled or upcycled desk organizers (Use mason jars or thrifted containers)
- Cloud storage (Reduce paper notes and printed handouts)
Budget Friendly & DIY Eco Swaps
Going green doesn't have to break the bank. Try these affordable ideas:
♻️ DIY & Upcycled Solutions
- Turn glass jars into storage (Great for pens, snacks, or makeup)
- Make natural cleaners (Vinegar, baking soda, essential oils)
- Thrifted furniture & decor (Reduce fast fashion waste)
💰 Cost Saving Tips
- Buy secondhand textbooks (Cheaper & extends book lifespan)
- Join campus swap events (Clothing, furniture, school supplies)
- Bulk buy snacks with reusable containers (Avoid single use packaging)
Where to Buy Eco Friendly Student Products
Ready to shop sustainably? Check out these places:
🛒 Online Stores
- EarthHero (Ethical, carbon-neutral shipping)
- Package Free Shop (Plastic free essentials)
- Thrift stores & Facebook Marketplace (Secondhand deals)
📍 Local Options
- Zero waste stores (Bring your own containers)
- Campus sustainability programs (Free swaps or recycling drives)
- Farmer's markets (Package free produce)
Small Changes, Big Impact
Switching to eco friendly products as a student doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start with one or two sustainable swaps, like a reusable water bottle or bamboo notebook, and build from there. Over time, these small changes add up to less waste, lower costs, and a healthier planet.
Final Tips:
- Start small: replace one disposable item at a time
- Get friends involved: host a dorm room sustainability challenge
- Check campus recycling programs: many schools offer free eco resources
