Improving sustainability within shared spaces in student housing

Gen-Z, the current generation of students, are emerging as ‘The Sustainability Generation’, making decisions based on their values and principles. With the common characteristic shared being that they care deeply about the environment, addressing climate change through more sustainable living is one of their top priorities. This is supported by a recent survey which reveals that 82% of Gen-Z are concerned about the state of the planet whilst 72% have already changed their behaviour to reduce their environmental impact. As this is not just a passing trend, your student housing facility should start making the necessary changes to align to the values of a more eco-conscious student.

From big investments to small changes, action can be taken in many different ways. Smart technologies are being used to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption rates, with IOT enabled sensors automatically controlling lighting and heating. Waste management strategies can be put in place to encourage recycling and reduce waste. Some accommodation providers are installing solar panels to benefit from renewable energy sources whilst others are putting in place roof gardens and planting trees and shrubs to uplift biodiversity. It’s important to note that students are highly attuned to greenwashing; the process of conveying the false impression of sustainability; meaning that your sustainability commitments must be taken seriously and transparently.

By partnering with a supplier that takes sustainability as seriously as you and your tenants, you will be able to improve your green credentials whilst boosting your profits. Miele Professional solutions , for example, have a range of easy-to-use programmes that provide optimum wash and drying cycles for different textiles. Short but thorough cycle times mean that students can do their laundry quickly and machines are ready to be used by the next tenant. Our solutions are also built from strong and durable materials, reducing the need for replacements and preventing the unnecessary disposal of waste to landfill. For example our washing machines are tested for 30,000 operating hours. We also have a number of eco-friendly ProCare Tex detergents available, which, when combined with our auto-dosing system, means that only the correct amount of detergent will be used per wash, the clothes are perfectly washed, the room remains clean and the material is not damaged by an overload of dosage.

Pairing our washers and dryers with our digital solution, appWash, can also support the student laundry experience whilst improving efficiencies. Users can access the app to book out laundry machines and pay using their mobiles. For operators this removes the need for coinbox maintenance as well as the potential loss of income due to thefts. It also makes for a more seamless payment process as appWash will take care of payments and provide you with your revenue on a monthly basis. This frees you up to spend more time on other aspects of your student housing business, such as sustainability initiatives.

Once you have taken action to improve sustainability within the laundry room, the same approach can be used across other shared spaces such as the communal kitchen. Think about upgrading products like the oven or dishwasher to be more energy efficient. Aside from equipment, you could also encourage students to be more sustainable in their practices by taking responsibility over the disposal of waste, proving alternatives to single-use plastics, and setting up a garden for students to grow their own herbs or vegetables.