Green goings on and switch off for Easter!
Tuesday, 03 April 2012
The University is closed from Thursday 5 April to Tuesday 10 April (inclusive) so make sure that all lights and equipment are switched off before you leave for the Easter break
The University has an experienced and committed team of people who work hard to ensure that we are doing all we can to minimise our environmental impact. Here is a round up of news from the University’s Environment, Energy, Sustainability and Travel (EEST) Team and a reminder to make sure that all lights and equipment are switched off before you leave for the Easter break.
Earth Hour success
The team would like say a big thank you to everyone who participated in Earth Hour last weekend.
Tom Yearley, Energy Officer, said: "We managed to reduce the University's electricity consumption by 14% compared against the average Saturday evening in March. Over the whole weekend we saved over £1,600 and almost nine tonnes of carbon.
"If we do this every weekend for a year, by switching off all lights and equipment, we could save nearly £90,000! Please keep up the good work and remember to switch off."
Additions to the team
- Dan Fernbank has taken over the role of Energy Manager. His main responsibilities are to ensure that the University's 35% carbon reduction target is met by 2015/16 in line with the Higher Education Carbon Management Plan, as well as making sure that the University's energy bills are paid.
- Karen Stanbridge is the University's Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator. Karen has recently undertaken the staff and student wide travel survey, and is in the process of identifying where to focus improvements to make it easier for members of the University to choose more sustainable modes of travel.
- Anna Glue has taken over the role of Environmental and Sustainability Co-ordinator. Anna will be focussing on helping the University implement an Environmental Management System and achieve the Gold and Platinum stages of the EcoCampus Award. She is also the main point of contact for recycling and waste enquiries at the University.
Green Impact Awards 2012
Congratulations to all staff who were involved in submitting an entry to the national Green Impact Awards! There were 20 teams who entered this year, either representing a School or Department, or a physical area of the University, such as the third floor in Whiteknights House.
Thanks also to those students who volunteered to be trained as environmental auditors. The students were divided into groups and visited each of the Green Impact teams to find out more about and view evidence of their green efforts.
The results will be announced in May and the awards are due to be presented during Green Week in November.
Easter switch off
Just because the Green Impact Awards are over for this year, it doesn't mean you can't continue to increase your green efforts!
The University is closed from Thursday 5 April to Tuesday 10 April (inclusive) so make sure that all lights and equipment are switched off before you leave for the Easter break. Let's see if we can make even more of a reduction, compared to the Earth Hour weekend.
And remember...
- Do double-sided - Set up your computer to print double-sided as the default for day to day printing.
- Switch off - Don't be fooled by myths about fluorescent lighting - if you're leaving your office (and there's no one else in it), even if it's only for five minutes, turn off the lights and desk lamps.
- Don't over-fill - Filling the kettle to the brim every time you make tea wastes energy and time, so only boil the amount of water you need.
- Popping out of the office? If you know you're going to be out of the office for more than an hour, consider switching off your computer - does it really need to be left on while you're out?
- Recycle - Ensure you have recycling facilities in your office remember to return old printer toners and waste cartridges via waste@reading.ac.uk to be recycled.
Look out for...
Environmental Awareness training is available via CSTD. The session is open to all staff and will take place on Monday 16 April. The course aims to provide a clear understanding of how the University affects the environment, and will offer simple ways in which you can reduce your environmental impact and the impacts associated with the area in which you work. Book via Employee Self Service.
National Walk to Work Week is taking place from Monday 14 May. Join the thousands of employees across the UK who will be walking to, from and during work as part of one of the healthiest workplace challenges around.
For more green news from EEST please see the latest Sustainability Matters newsletter >>>