Sustainability is not a choice; it is an imperative. Environment is a crucial dimension of the integral concept of sustainability. Several choices of materials that are continued uncritically are seldom environmentally friendly. A conscious review of choices of materials is hence very important for preserving the environment and hence sustainability holistically. Decisions made in the design stage commit significant project cost and influence several processes downstream of the product development. Designers hence need to be critical and judicious of every choice they make including that of materials. This necessitates design education to sensitise students to materials they are exposed to as part of curriculum, as conscious choices made right from the foundation studies. This article reviews the choices of materials used in undergraduate design programs in Bengaluru to explore the reasons behind these choices and inform them. Ten design programs situated in different schools of design and design institutes/departments within universities are studied, and the materials used are critically reviewed. For informing the conscious choices of materials, a Material Group, Origin and Renewability Classification matrix and applicable regulations are used and studied, respectively. Amongst that total of hundred materials reviewed, it is observed that 40 materials have environmentally better alternatives (assuming use and processing is same). Thirty of the rest of the materials can be disposed of in ways causing lesser impact to the environment. This study could be expanded statewide and nation-wide towards informing design students (and those from all creative professions) very early on the rationale of environmentally conscious choices to be made right from foundation studies, thereby influencing their design sensitivities sensibly.