University of Glasgow

Student 2 Student Essentials

Student 2 Student Essentials aims to create a more circular student living style where students pass on valuable and essential items instead of throwing them away yearly. This saves students money and helps reduce overall student waste on campus.

GUEST created Student2StudentEssentials in September 2022 to make student living more affordable. As a very international university, many students have to buy everything new, from bedding to kitchenware, decorations, and plant pots. By creating this circular system, homeware is given a second loving home and students get to access free second-hand items fit for their home away from home.

Overall, our project aims to promote circular living, reducing the need to buy new and expensive homeware. No money is involved as it is based on donations and free pop-up shops. Overall, this impacts both the planet and our wallets as we work to minimise waste and the price of student living.

The project is ongoing as Erasmus students and University of Glasgow staff regularly donate items and GUEST hosts, on average, two pop-up shops a semester with the donated items. These events are a great success as all items are free and fit for students’ home away from home.

Sharing is caring; and both our wallets and our planet agree!

Annual carbon savings achieved with the initiative:

• CO2t savings 2022/2023: 315 kg (Estimated).
• CO2t savings 2023/2024: 315kg (Estimated).
• CO2t savings over the life cycle of the project: Unlimited time, unlimited savings.
   

Top 3 Learnings

1. You can never over-promote!
2. We learned to make sustainable options accessible but also inclusive of all circumstances.
3. We recommend tailoring projects that answer to your environment and community’s current challenges and interests.