Reading time | 3 minutes
Want to live greener at uni? From recycling right to joining eco clubs, here’s how you can make a real impact on campus sustainability.
Sustainability can feel overwhelming, but small steps really do add up. Whether it’s cutting down waste, saving energy or joining student-led initiatives, you can contribute to a greener campus without overhauling your whole lifestyle. Here are some simple ways to start.
1. Sort your waste correctly
Curtin has plenty of recycling bins across campus, but they only work if we use them properly. Take a second to check the signs before tossing your rubbish. Even separating your coffee cup lid from the cup makes a difference in reducing contamination. E-waste is waste that is extra important to sort correctly; this short podcast episode with Professor Elsayed Oraby chats about how and why e-waste recycling is important!
2. Bring reusable everything
It’s no secret… reusables are one of the easiest ways to cut waste. A reusable water bottle, coffee cup or cutlery set saves money and stops heaps of single-use items from ending up in landfill. Many campus cafés even give discounts when you BYO cup. Mallokup even has mugs that you can borrow and return when you’re finished! Australia produces almost 3 million tonnes of plastic per annum, of which less than 19% is recycled. Takeaway coffee cups can take 30 years to degrade, and plastic bottles can take almost 450 years to breakdown. By bringing your own reusables, and filling up at water fountains, you can do your own small part in alleviating this stat!
You can toggle the “water station” function on the Curtin Maze Map to see the nearest fountain!
3. Save power and water
It’s easy to forget about lights or taps when you’re in a rush. But switching things off and using water mindfully helps us reduce our environmental footprint. Think of it as building habits now that will stick with you beyond uni life. Chat GPT and other generative AI also uses a lot of water. It’s definitely worth taking a look at the water usage and environmental impact of Generative AI, as well as educating yourself on Curtin usage rules so to avoid any academic integrity breaches.
4. Join sustainability clubs and initiatives
Want to make an even bigger impact? Check out The Sustainability Collective (a Guild club that focus on sustainability) or join volunteering programs that focus on conservation, environment or recycling through Curtin Volunteers!. These groups give you the chance to meet like-minded students, run campaigns and make sustainability fun.
5. Choose greener transport
Walking, cycling or catching public transport to campus are simple ways to cut emissions. Curtin also has bike racks, showers and end-of-trip facilities, that you can find on the MazeMap, to make the swap from driving easier. Bonus: you’ll save money on parking.
The transport sector is currently Australia’s third largest emitter, accounting for around 22% of the country’s emissions. Plus, congestion on Perth’s roads is only getting worse, so why not save time, energy money and reap the environmental benefits of greener transport where possible?
6. Support sustainable events and markets
Keep an eye out for Curtin Guild’s markets and eco-focused events, by watching out on the events tab. From thrift stalls to events like eco-focussed hackathons, they’re a fun way to live sustainably and support local initiatives at the same time.
Sustainability isn’t about doing everything perfectly, it’s about doing what you can. By making small, intentional choices on campus, you’ll not only reduce your footprint but also inspire others to follow your lead.
