Switch off and be safe this Christmas
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Hopkins Building
The Christmas break is a chance to unwind and have a relaxing time - let's give our office electrical equipment a break too! Last year we saved over 29 tonnes of CO2 - equivalent to almost three people's annual emissions. This was equal to about £30,000 over the holiday period.
The University is closed for 11 days - each computer powered down will save on average £4.70 over the holidays. If you see something that you think ought to be switched off but you cannot do it yourself, please contact the Environment, Energy and Sustainability Team (EEST) at eest@reading.ac.uk.
It's been a busy year for the EEST Team, they have been rolling out numerous projects including a revamped website, the insulation of flat roofs in HumSS and URS Buildings, draught proofing in HumSS and Wager and extending insulation and BMS controls across the Greenlands campus.
In addition to this, the pay by weight waste disposal system saw the University achieve the 50% recycling target. This all helped us achieve a 16.5% reduction in our carbon emissions over the past two years, bringing us to almost half way in our 35% target.
One way that you can get involved is to sign up to the Green Impact Awards. Last year saw over 20 teams join in and help reduce environmental impacts. This year so far, we already have new entrants including the whole of the Greenland's Campus and UPP Halls of Residence. If you would like to find out more, please contact eest@reading.ac.uk, visit the website: goo.gl/G3Tb5 or come along to one of the workshops to be held in January!
Security
Please also heed advice from the University's Security Team over the vacation:
- Secure all windows and lock all doors
- Where possible, move all valuable items away from windows
- Close blinds
- Lock away as many valuable items as possible
- Keep all keys locked away in a safe place
- If your building has an alarm, ensure it is in good working order and set for the duration
- Ensure all access control systems are programmed to remain locked throughout the closure period
- Bank all cash
- Ensure vending machines are emptied. Consider placing notices on vending machines, stating that the machines are emptied on a daily basis
- Property mark any new items. It won't stop them being stolen, but it will make them less attractive to thieves. For further information, please contact the security control room on ext. 7799
- Remove all equipment from University vehicles before parking them in car park 5. Please leave vehicle keys with Security Control. Please try to collect them by 8.30am on the morning of 3 January
- Update Security Control with any changes to your emergency call-out arrangements
If you do come into work over the closure period, please inform Security Control when you arrive and also when you leave.
Security Control contact details:
- Enquiries: (0118) 378 7799
- Emergencies: (0118) 378 6300
- E-mail: securitycontrol@reading.ac.uk