The environment is one of the top concerns for Gen Z — even amid a pandemic. And, while some products that are billed as sustainable cost more, there are a lot of changes you can make in your everyday life that will be good for the environment — without breaking the bank.

“The only way we can preserve the earth’s beauty and reduce our consumption is to reuse the materialistic items that are already in our possession and recycle our unsold goods,” stated Jeremy Lewan (a Rutgers University meteorology student).

Metal straws are a popular trending item on social media. Even influencers sell them as part of their products. The amount of marine pollution caused by plastic straws is significant.  You can also get plastic cups and plastic bags from single-use or restaurants.

A team of researchers from the University of Georgia led by Jenna Jambeck found that the world creates an estimated 265 million tons of single-use plastic waste annually. An estimated 8 million tons of that plastic waste winds up in the oceanEvery year according to this research which was published by Science.

Plastic ends up as floating trash and is found in the stomachs or other marine creatures such as fish and turtles. Our friends underwater mistake the plastic for food as it breaks down to tiny bits.

This rate will lead to a shortage of workers by 2050. more plastic in the ocean than fishAccording to the World Economic Forum, it is a staggering 9%.

So, what can we do to help cut down on waste — and save money in the process?

1. Reducing single-use plastics waste

You can first choose not to use utensils in dining halls or at restaurants when you eat out. Bring your own silverware, or purchase reusable bamboo spoons to keep in your back pocket. You also have the option to buy 4 sets of metal straws on Amazon for 6$ each.

Now, this isn’t going to save you personally a huge amount of money – but it will save restaurants money and make no mistake – they pass their costs on to customers. The U.S. restaurants spend approximately $2.5 trillion annually. $19 billion per year on take-out foodwareAccording to the Overbrook Foundation, these include utensils and cups.

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Refilling your water bottle at home and taking your grocery bag to the supermarket will save you money. You will save a couple dollars per water bottle, as well as any additional charges that the store might charge for paper or plastic bags.

Lewan stated, “I’m a big proponent of single-use plastic recycling.” “I don’t take plastic utensils from the campus cafeterias or plastic bags.”

Lewan was even the leader of a school social innovation project to create a 100% reusable, compostable and plant-based straw. And he came in second place in the contest!

2. There are other options.

You can also save money by getting rid of your car.

And, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have your own bike – bike-sharing programs have become more common on college campuses.

You can reduce your use of the car even though you cannot completely eliminate it. A bike can help reduce carbon emissions as well as keep the rider fitter. You will save a lot on fuel, parking permits, insurance, and oil changes.

Erica Solis (a Stony Brook University student in Linguistics) stated that she decided to live and commute car-free because it would save her money. Solis estimates that she has saved at most a few thousand dollars by not having to commute to school. 

Other options: You could carpool with friends.

Solis, along with other members of campus’ environmental club, carpool every day to cut carbon emissions.

Maria Rodriguez (outreach coordinator at Stony Brook’s environmental club) stated, “Most of our transportation is provided to events out on campus by members of Eboard who will usually carpool avec 3-8 other members.

Solis stated, “This lifestyle is better for our planet” 

3.  Shop for clothing and other products at thrift shops.

Gen Z is known for secondhand shopping, which has been a great way to save the environment while still looking fashionable. You can save money on back-to school shopping by purchasing items in your dorms, such as backpacks, storage units and lamps. 

The cost to purchase clothing from thrift shops is usually around half- to one-third of the price to get it in a new store. That’s a great deal for a student on a budget. You’re also keeping clothes from going to waste. 

Lewan explained, “Giving an old garment a new lease of life is pure joy.” 

The environmental club of Stony Brook encourages students to take part in these activities. 

Rodriguez explained that Rodriguez held an event at a thrift store close to campus. It introduced affordable, yet still high-quality, alternatives to fast fashion to encourage members to try sustainable fashion. 

Because it was affordable and trendy, fast fashion was a popular choice for college students and twenty-somethings. It was possible to have all the latest fashion trends with minimal expense. However, garments made cheaply and worn only a handful of times can create huge amounts of trash in landfills. Just to give you some context, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that 10% of all global carbon emissions are caused by fashion.

4. Modify the way you wash your clothes.

Change your laundry habits to help you be more environmentally-conscious at school. Use reusable dryer sheets to dry your clothes and cold water for washing them saves you money.

Bailey Campbell, a Stonybrook University biology student in a genetics focus said she found it helped to change her routine for college.

The cost for six dryer balls was about $10, I have had them for two years. It’s much cheaper than buying dryer sheets, and it is so much simpler to simply throw the ball into,” she stated.

Campbell pointed out, too that heavy clothing like jeans doesn’t have to be washed as often as it says on the label. 

She explained that she washes every other week, saving a lot of water and drying detergent.

You can also use zero-waste laundry detergent pods made from recyclable packaging to replace large plastic bottles. These containers not only decrease the environmental impact but also reduce the burden of shipping heavy liquid containers. That means that there are fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

5. Eat less meat.

We aren’t requiring you to be vegan. But skipping meat, even once or twice a week, can help save money – and reduce carbon emissions.

When it comes to budget, meat can often be the most costly part of a meal. You can cut down on your annual expenses by including a few vegetarian options into your weekly meals. You should consider that an average chicken breast is about $30. $3.27The national average price for a pound of tofu is $2.50 to $2.50 per pound, and the cost for dried beans at $1.39 per kilogram. You can reduce your grocery bill by substituting any one of these items in your week. That’s a savings of $6 per week or more than $20 per month.

 And in terms of the environmental impact: Preparing meat produces between 10 and 40 times more greenhouse gas emissions than growing and harvesting vegetables and grains, according to  the Environmental Working Group.  

6. Get involved in the sharing economy.

How do you move into a dormitory? You can also move off-campus. You might also be worried about how your bank account will look if you get a job after graduation.

Facebook Marketplace is a great place to start your search for furniture and other items. You may find a market in your area, if so, it’s possible to get products at a reduced price. Massapequa Marketplace, a Facebook group, is where I’m from. Here people either sell for cheap – or even give away for free – all kinds of household items, including couches, paintings, chairs, coffee pots, tables, and more.

My mom bought my brother’s belongings from the old apartment and sold them to me last year. After finding a buyer, she accepted the lowest price offered. This is a great way to save money.

Campbell lives in Albany and has Habitat for Humanity, a large warehouse that she uses to shop for furniture. All the furniture was thrifted when she helped her boyfriend move into a new apartment.

Many schools like Cornell University also offer “Academic” programs.Dump and Run” sales. When students move out, they can dump their clothing and furniture. Then, it’s resold to them at a low price when they return in August. What is the price? The last time we sold, mini-fridges were marked down to $40In 1960, the cost of microwaves was $20. Most clothing and footwear were $1. Cornell’s does not just keep these items out of landfills; the money it raises goes towards charity. Win-win!

And, while this can be huge savings for your wallet, the impact on the environment is also huge: You aren’t purchasing a new item that had to be manufactured at a factory and then transported to a warehouse, to a store and ultimately to your dorm or apartment – all things that would have produced a lot of carbon emissions. You are giving someone’s old stuff a new life – and keeping it out of a landfill. 

7. Switch off all lights 

It may sound obvious to cut down on costs, but it could be a cost-saving solution. While it might not sound like much, the savings can add up over a period of time.

Most universities now have automated light switches that turn off when you leave the room, but it’s important to remember to turn them off when you leave a place that does not have automatic lights – say, an off-campus apartment. And when you get your own apartment after graduation — you will want to save every penny you can!

These are good habits to start now. You will save more money if you get started as soon as possible. By doing so, you will leave the environment better for the next generation.

CNBC’s “College Voices″ is a series written by CNBC interns from universities across the country about getting their college education, managing their own money and launching their careers during these extraordinary times. Jessica Coacci is a student at Stony Brook University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Her two-term internship is at CNBC’s breaking information desk. Edited by Cindy Perman.