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Sustainability

The new academic year is underway, Green Impact has been officially launched, and we’re set for an exciting year of developments on environmental issues at the University of Cambridge.

The last year has been a whirlwind one for environmental sustainability, so it’s hard to pick the topics that the Environment & Energy Section will focus on in our communications across the University this year. However there are perhaps three issues which have captured the imagination, and the headlines, the most over recent months. It’s those which we’ll be shining the light on through our ‘Spotlight On Months’ in 2019-20:

  • In April 2020, you’ll hear from us on biodiversity. A report earlier this year claimed that a million species face extinction, with the world now ‘on notice’ about nature’s decline. Here in the University, work is underway to improve habitats and enhance nature on the estate, while the recent creation of a new ‘Bodiversiteams’ initiative will see staff taking on the issue at a local level. We’ll be sure to be running more of our ever-popular nature walks!
  • In February 2020, we’ll be taking on the issue of carbon. With last year’s ‘emission gap report’ from the UN report leading to a widely-reported claim that we have just 11 years to prevent dangerous climate change, carbon emissions are quite literally a hot topic. Expect to hear more about the University’s zero carbon target, discussion over reducing flying, and more on the University’s carbon-cutting sustainable food policy.

This November, however, our focus is firmly on reduce and re-use. For any individual looking to reduce their environmental footprint, waste is perhaps one of the most visible and tangible. Meanwhile a stream of headlines and documentaries about ocean plastics, recycling crises and waste scandals fill the newspapers and keep the issue in the forefront of our minds...

Join us in taking action during November's Spotlight on Reduce and Reuse Month

So what can we do right here at the University, where we produce around two and a half thousand tonnes of waste every year? In last year’s ‘spotlight on waste’ month we reported on the challenges associated with recycling and the importance of reducing contamination. This year therefore, we’re shifting the focus onto reducing and re-using our waste. This is a big priority as the less waste we produce, and the more we can keep resources in use, the less will end up needing to be processed for recycling, recovery, and disposal.

Our challenge this month is to all departments, colleges and labs to take on these three simple challenges. Together we can make a big impact on the University’s waste output!

  1. Get rid of disposable cups and bottles!

Many departments and Colleges have historically provided disposable cups and glasses for staff and visitors to use when visiting the department, or disposable bottles of water for meetings. However, it’s pretty easy to get rid of those single-use disposable options, by either providing a small stock of washable mugs or glasses, providing tap water in jugs, or encouraging visitors and staff to bring their own drinking cups/cones. Last year alone, 24 departments from across the University made the switch to eliminate disposable cups!

  1. Cut down on unnecessary paper use

Just under 90% of waste by weight in the University’s recycling bins is paper or card, while 7% of the weight of our general waste bins are also made up of (incorrectly disposed of) paper and card. This amounts to many hundreds if not thousands of tonnes of paper being disposed of every year. However there are so many easy ways to cut down on paper use, whether it be ensuring that printers default to duplex printing as standard, collecting and reusing envelopes for internal post, changing to paperless invoicing or expense claims, or distributing information internally and externally in electronic format rather than in paper format.

Many departments have now shifted to paperless meetings, and online course notes, while several have changed policies so that students can submit essays and coursework in electronic format rather than hard copies. Changes such as this can significantly cut down on printing and paper use, and make life easier for students and staff too!

  1. Share your stationery and equipment!

A key waste stream from many offices around the University is stationery, while many labs and research facilities are filled with equipment of varying ages, conditions and use. A simple way to ensure stationery is not over-purchased and ends up in the bin is to organise a stationery amnesty. It’s a simple idea - staff are encouraged to bring unused stationery from their workstations back to a central point where it can be used by others or, if it's not required within the department, posted on WarpIt for others to use. Similarly, a simple call out to the department to rationalise equipment and pass up any unwanted items could help prevent needless purchases, free up cupboard and bench space, and maybe even help another part of the University find a new bit of kit!

Equipment, stationery and furniture can be posted on WarpIt which is free to use for all Cambridge University staff, while usable equipment can also be sold on through UniGreenScheme, or as a last resort disposed of through the University's E-waste disposal scheme.

Let us know what you've done

If you’ve completed any of the above actions, why not send us a case study? We love to share good practice examples, and it helps others in the University take on your good ideas. Many of the actions above will also contribute towards a Green Impact award!