Back Back

Ten things we already do … but you may not know …

13/12/2019

Here are 10 things we are already doing at the University to improve our approach to sustainability and the environment:

  1. The vast majority of the University’s waste is either recycled or sent to an incinerator and burnt to generate electricity. In fact last year we recycled enough waste to power 65 homes, plant 370 trees or take 40 cars off the road for a year. Further information about which bin to use.

  2. The University’s five double deck buses are Euro 6, which means they produce zero emissions. This is the highest specification currently available.

    buses-web
  3. Our catering facilities have introduced biodegradable cutlery alongside the stainless steel knives, forks and spoons across all campuses. If you see plastic ones anywhere they are using up the current stock before switching! We are also replacing bottled water with cans and disposable paper cups can be taken to the Starbucks in the Millennium City Building to be recycled. More news to follow from catering soon …

  4. Our cooking oil is supplied by the local branch of a company called Olleco, who also collect the waste cooking oil and convert it into renewable energy. Over the last months, Olleco has collected 2028 litres from the University.

  5. We have two new electric vehicles and are planning to expand the fleet. The University has six electric charging points, two on each campus, and further details of where the points are is available

  6. Confidential paper waste is collected by a company called Restore plc who produce other reusable products such as tissues and recycled copy paper.

    veolia-waste
  7. We are in the process of installing lighting controls (absence and presence detection) across all campuses in corridor areas and rooms, as well as an on-going upgrade of internal lighting to energy efficient LED lights across all campuses. In addition, external lighting is also being upgraded to energy efficient LEDs across all campuses.

  8. We have reduced our carbon emissions by 41.7% since 2007/08 (our Carbon Management Plan baseline) and are committed to delivering further reductions.

  9. We have a compact ‘BioWhale’ or food digester at Telford Campus which means 100% of the food waste from catering facilities on that campus is recycled. This innovative solution is used by the company as a showcase for interested clients who visit our campus to see it in action. Walsall and Wolverhampton campuses and the Science Park have food recycling in the kitchen areas which is collected by our contractor Veolia and goes to an anaerobic digestion unit, which breaks the waste down into biogas and biofertiliser.

  10. Sustainable practices are incorporated into all of our procurement activities. This includes the wording in tenders, so suppliers have to state how they are reducing their carbon footprint, using environmentally friendly or minimal packaging and provide details of their Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts and how they are managed.

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

Share this release