Sustainable development and social responsibility can sometimes feel like complicated topics, especially when you’re a student trying to juggle lectures, social life, part-time work, or internships.
But the truth is, each of us can take small, simple steps that, repeated over time, really do make a difference to the environment and the people around us.
There is no need to completely change your lifestyle, just a few everyday habits can have a real impact.
What Sustainable Development Means for You as a Student
Wanting to live more sustainably as a student doesn’t mean setting up a huge project or completely transforming your routine.
It’s more about being aware of the choices you make, their consequences, and trying to improve your impact little by little. That might mean cutting down on waste, consuming more responsibly, using greener ways to get around, or joining local initiatives. It’s all about moving at your own pace.
And in Toulouse, a lively, student-friendly city, there are plenty of opportunities to put these ideas into practice, both on campus and in everyday life.
Easy Everyday Habits to Try
Even with a limited budget and little spare time, you can still build eco-friendly habits that fit your lifestyle:
- Choose Greener Ways to Travel
Walking or cycling isn’t just good for the planet, it’s great for your health too.Toulouse has lots of cycle lanes, and the Tisséo public transport network makes it easy to get around without needing a car, cutting your carbon footprint.
You can also make use of Vélô Toulouse bikes, available year-round across the city.
- Shop Smarter and Cut Down on Waste
A few simple swaps can make a big difference.For example, ditching plastic bottles in favour of a reusable water bottle saves money and reduces plastic waste. Buying in bulk, bringing your own containers, or keeping a reusable shopping bag handy are all easy ways to cut down on packaging.
Buying local, seasonal products from neighbourhood greengrocers or outdoor markets, such as the Marché Cristal in Toulouse, is another practical way to consume responsibly.
These nearby shops and markets, found throughout Toulouse, offer fresh products, often sourced from local producers, ensuring high-quality items with a lower environmental footprint.Contrary to what one might think, it isn’t necessarily more expensive than shopping at a supermarket. Prices can even be competitive, especially when prioritising seasonal products and buying in small quantities!
For students on a tight budget, there are also solidarity initiatives such as Rayon 31 UT Capitole, a student-run grocery shop at Toulouse School of Management. It helps students in financial difficulty access affordable, fresh essentials.
- Reduce Food Waste and Save Money
Apps like Too Good To Go are perfect for combining sustainability with student savings. They let you pick up unsold food from local shops and restaurants at reduced prices, helping cut food waste.
Other local apps and schemes also offer good deals while encouraging more sustainable choices.
- Save Energy Day-to-Day
At home or on campus, switch off lights and unplug devices when you’re not using them. These small actions help reduce your energy use without costing you any extra effort.
- Think Before You Buy
Being eco-friendly isn’t just about food or energy, the way you shop makes a difference too.
Before buying something, stop and ask yourself if you really need it. Avoid impulse buys, and try to regularly sort through your clothes, supplies, or accessories. This helps you see what you actually use and stops things piling up unnecessarily.
This approach works for everything, clothes, gadgets, leisure activities. Taking a little time before each purchase helps you live more sustainably, reduce waste, and manage your budget better.
- Get Involved in Student Associations
Joining collective projects is a great way to put your values into action.
At Toulouse School of Management, for example, the Écolibris student association runs workshops, awareness campaigns, and projects to reduce the campus’s ecological footprint. Getting involved is a brilliant way to turn your motivation into real action and to connect with other students who share the same goals.
Why Start Now?
The start of the academic year is the perfect moment to set new habits and commit to a more sustainable lifestyle. Even the smallest daily gestures, when done regularly, can have a big impact in the long run.
Being eco-friendly doesn’t require big resources. Anyone can do their bit by adopting simple everyday habits.
