Heading off to college is a time of excitement about the possibilities ahead. It can be such a positive experience, except when it comes to the amount of trash generated by kids on campus.
The average college student creates over 640 pounds of waste each year. This is surprising given that 92% of college students feel their university should promote and incorporate sustainability.
An easy solution is to switch to an eco-friendly material like bamboo for items needed during the school year. You’ll eliminate single-use plastic, save money, and even enjoy a less toxic living environment.
Why Bamboo Is a Great Choice for College Students
When preparing for college, you’ll find a lot of choices for outfitting your dorm room. Bamboo is a great choice for taking to college because it’s durable and long-lasting. It can be reused so you can keep or donate your items when finished, but it is also highly compostable. If your items are worn out or end up in the trash, they’ll at least break down much more quickly than plastic.
Unlike harmful plastic, bamboo is non-toxic and is a renewable resource. A single bamboo plant can be harvested every 4-5 years for up to 30 years!
What to Consider When Buying Bamboo Products for Your Dorm
Let’s get to the fun stuff. What do you need when moving into a dorm or college apartment? The easiest way to prepare is to consider the different aspects of your living arrangement.
First, consider what you need in your dorm. I remember moving into my freshman dorm it was basically a big brick square. To make our room more comfortable, we added a rug, layers of blankets and even a little plant stand near our lone window. Thinking about the comforts of home will help you feel less homesick.
While I did get along with my roommates, personal space was very limited. Dividing our room with our desks and other furniture made it easier to feel like I had my own place to relax. Think about what you may need to create an oasis in your home away from home.
Finally, remember you may not have access to a private kitchen or bathroom. Having a few items on hand for quick meals or to make your trips to the shower more convenient will make your shared living area a bit more bearable.
What Bamboo Products Should You Bring to College
It can be tough to decide what to pack for college. With limited space, make sure your items will be used regularly and last through the entire school year. Bamboo can take you from morning to night for an entirely eco-friendly college experience.
Bamboo Furniture and Decor
The first thing to consider is how to set up your room. You’ll want a place to rest and relax and somewhere comfortable to study. Even with limited space, it’s possible to create a comfortable homework spot all your own.
Bamboo Room Divider
Remember what I said about personal space? You may know your roommate or you may be tossed into living with a stranger on campus. Either way, you’re going to want a little privacy. The best (and most stylish) way to do this is with a bamboo room divider. My top pick is the Alexisa bamboo/rattan folding room divider. Ith four panels and two-way hinges, it can be customized to create a private space or split your room right down the center. Plus the woven texture will give your room a bit of sophistication.
Bamboo Bookshelf
Keep your books within reach with a bamboo bookshelf. The Doorless Bookcase from MoNiBloom is simple and compact and doubles as a nightstand if you’re in tight quarters. With three shelves there’s plenty of room for textbooks and your favorite bedtime stories. Love to read and need more space? You can opt for the 4 or 6 shelve version.
Bamboo Floor Lamp
All those books won’t read themselves and overhead lighting for reading is just – yuck. Save your eyesight and add some sustainable style with a bamboo floor lamp. My top pick for college living is the Mainstays Rice Paper Shade Floor Lamp because of its slim design and lightweight build that make it easy to move when you rearrange your dorm for the 17th time.
Bamboo Personal Care
College is the ideal place to make new friends and possibly your future romantic partner. Keep yourself and the earth a little cleaner with these key items for your morning (or evening) routine.
Bamboo Towel
If quality and luxury are important to you, you simply cannot go without the Premium Plush Bath Towels from Cozy Earth. If you close your eyes you may just think you’re at a spa instead of a dorm bathroom. These bamboo bath towels are woven from bamboo viscose with no harmful chemicals. Even better, they’re ultra-absorbent and odor resistant. Perfect for a college student who wants to use the same towel day after day to avoid their pile of laundry.
Bamboo Shower Caddy
When you’re living in the dorms with shared bathrooms, you want your items clearly divided so your annoying neighbor isn’t using all your favorite body wash (I know it was you, Susan!). We can’t recommend the bamboo shower caddy from Honey-Can-Do enough. It’s one of our favorite bamboo shower caddies for college students because it features three levels to hold your products and hangs right from the shower head so there’s no permanent drilling into the walls.
Bamboo Robe
Don’t be caught walking the halls in just a towel. Wrap yourself up after your shower or relax in your dorm in pillowy softness with this bamboo robe from Cariloha. It’s a unisex fit and you can choose from white or dark graphite. A bamboo robe may seem like a luxury when you have limited space, but you’ll soon find it’s necessary for comfort and privacy.
You’ll want to get in and out of your shared bathroom quickly so don’t forget to grab your bamboo toothbrush and bamboo hairbrush when headed in for your daily clean-up!
Bamboo Desk Accessories
Let’s pretend you’re going to get all your homework done on time and not in the middle of the night before it’s due. Even if that is your study habit, you can make things easier and more productive with the proper study space in place.
Bamboo Desk
To make mom happy, you might want to prioritize a bamboo desk. Many dorms will come with a desk, but if yours doesn’t or if you’re opting for apartment living this semester, you’ll want to take a look at the ANFALLARE / ADILS desk from Ikea. It’s a compact size and very budget-friendly, perfect for dorm life.
Bamboo Drawer Organizer
Having an organized desk is easy with the right