Small changes in the halls making a big green impact

Living in student accommodation doesn't have to mean living unsustainably. LSE halls are stepping up their green game, and you might not have even noticed some of the changes happening right under your nose.

From the kitchens where you burn your midnight pasta to the showers where you belt out your best karaoke, sustainability is being baked into daily hall life. Here's how your residence is getting greener, and why it actually matters.

1. Recycling stations that actually make sense ♻️

Let’s be honest: confusing recycling bins are the enemy of good intentions. We’ve all stood in front of a bin, second-guessing whether we’re making the right choice or not, and sometimes defaulting to general waste just to be safe.

LSE halls have rolled out clearer, colour-coded recycling points in communal areas with simple visual guides. No more playing "bin roulette" at 2 am when you're disposing of your Deliveroo containers.

2. Energy-efficient appliances in every kitchen 💡

All those communal fridges, ovens, and microwaves have been upgraded to energy-efficient models with high ratings. These aren't your gran's appliances, they sip electricity rather than guzzling it.

LED lighting has replaced old bulbs throughout corridors and kitchens, slashing electricity consumption by up to 80%. Plus, motion sensors in hallways mean lights only come on when someone's actually walking through, rather than illuminating empty corridors all night like some kind of budget horror film set. 👻

3. Bike storage and repair stations 🚲

Making sustainable transport easier is part of the equation, too. Halls have expanded secure bike storage facilities because nothing kills your eco-friendly cycling enthusiasm quite like having your bike nicked within the first fortnight of term.

 When cycling to campus is convenient, and your mechanical disasters aren't day-ruining catastrophes that force you into an expensive Uber, you're way more likely to ditch the emissions-heavy transport options.

4. Reusable initiatives and waste reduction schemes 🔄

Some halls have introduced reusable container schemes for events and communal spaces, ditching single-use plastics for parties and hall socials, for example at Carr-Saunders. 

There are also British Heart Foundation donation points for pre-loved clothes. That jumper you bought in freshers' week that you've worn exactly once? It can go to someone who'll actually appreciate it, rather than sitting in the back of your wardrobe judging your life choices. 

5. Recycle the small stuff too 🪫

Small changes make a big difference, and that includes the things you might not think about day to day. All halls offer battery recycling points, so when your remote, headphones or fairy lights finally give up, you can drop the batteries at reception instead of binning them.

You’ll also find vape recycling available in some halls, including Bankside and Rosebery, as part of a pilot scheme. If you’re not based there, you can still recycle used vapes at Saw Swee Hock on campus. It’s a quick stop that helps keep tricky waste out of general bins and ensures materials are handled properly.

The bottom line 🌍

LSE halls are proving that student living and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive. You don’t have to live in a yurt or give up hot showers to reduce your environmental impact, just keep them a bit shorter when you can.

Halls are doing their part; you just have to do yours by avoiding things like leaving your window wide open with the heating on full blast or throwing pizza boxes in the paper recycling (seriously, don’t do that, the grease contaminates everything)!

If you’re keen to take things a step further, check out the Sustainable Halls Campaign page to sign up, see what’s happening and find simple ways to get involved throughout the year.