Sustainable and budget-friendly living in Norwich

Recycling, reusing, and refurbishing are three things we know can help make our planet more sustainable whilst saving money. This blog is written by the NUA student and staff Sustainability Working Group.

Our Sustainability Working Group sits at the heart of our new strategic plan and are working hard to reduce waste and develop plans to improve campus sustainability.

We’re lucky to have several low waste or reuse stores in Norwich, like Re.Source, Rainbow Whole Foods, Sustainability Station, The Greengrocers and Ernies Zero Waste Shop.

We look at other local schemes on a student-friendly budget in Norwich.

Tap into campus recycling schemes

Got leftover materials or supplies you’re not using? Add them to the NUA Swap Shop on the VLE; they could be someone else’s sustainable treasures!

Additionally, the NUA arts supplies shop often sells ‘end of line’ clearance items that you can buy at a reduced price and even have a recycling corner where you can pick up anything from folders to pens and even till roll! Give them a follow on Instagram.

Reduce your carbon emissions and save money with your travel plans

Green and sustainable transport sharing initiative, Beryl are offering 100 free minutes for use on their vehicles to NUA staff and students. Download the Beryl app, register with your NUA email and use the code ‘BERYLNUA100’

Norwich based start-up Liftshare operate the lift-sharing scheme, matching your journey up with vetted, local lift drivers. Some trips are just £2.

There’s also Norwich Car Club for drivers, which offers pay as you go membership services on car rental. 

Pick free herbs and fruit at the Grapes Hill Community Garden

Grapes Hill Community Garden is a 10-minute walk from campus, and they welcome visitors to enjoy their space, events and sessions. They encourage visitors to pick small bunches of herbs and fruits from the garden, leaving some for others and wildlife. There’s free entry and you can spend time enjoying the garden too.

Become a member of Norwich Farm Share

Norwich sits at the heart of a lush agricultural county. Norwich Farm Share run a membership cooperative where you can buy weekly local produce at a cityHub or cycle delivery. You can also reconnect with nature and join the growers to help cultivate the vegetables and produce for a day at the farm.

Mend and restore your old clothing

With Norwich’s rich history in textiles and cloth, it’s no surprise there are several outlets for repairing fashion.

MA Fashion graduate Kate runs We Wear the Trousers, a community organisation that teaches you to stitch and fix your old clothes! WWTT holds regular sessions at low waste store, Re-Source, hosts pop-ups and takes part in Norwich Science Week.

If you’re not feeling your sewing and stitching skills, Best Quality Stitch just next to campus will repair and fix your clothing for you.

Shoes and Keys on the Norwich Market provide reasonably priced fixes of your heels, boots, trainers, etc. They are usually speedy in repairing too!

Buy second hand at a thrift store

This vlog by graphics student Amber highlights some of the fantastic charity and thrift shops you can grab a deal at.

Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney in the Castle Quarter sell not only furniture, clothes, vinyl records but a whole heap of toiletries, food and drink and everyday items at significantly reduced costs.

Donate items or grab a bargain at a Norfolk Reuse Shop

There are 20 recycling centres in Norfolk and two reuse shops in Norwich. These shops encourage you to donate second-hand items and sell various items at “car boot sale costs”. They re-sell household items and furniture, with the proceeds going to charity.

Get that student discount

Our own NUA cafe, operated by The Feed, offers a 10% discount on hot drinks if you bring your own reusable cup.

The pricing is already cheap for staff and students; an oat latte is just £1.80! The Feed also offers 10% discount across all of their other cafes. 

Sustainability Station also offers 10% discount on their products to students.