A more sustainable University
25 October 2012
Have you heard of Wellbeing Wednesday? What about the eight environmental golden rules? As part of this edition of Blas, we're giving you a rundown of some of the University's sustainable policies and initiatives.
Environmental Golden rules
The University has eight golden rules to help protect the environment developed by the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Unit. Click on each of them to find out more.
If we each do a little, we can all do a lot
The University strongly encourages good environmental practice and the following are some examples of how you can help. If all staff and students followed the simple steps below the University could make a significant difference to our impact on the environment.
Conserve energy – power down, switch off when not in use
Simply turning off lights, computers and other electrical accessories at the end of the day or when away for long periods, and switching off at the power switch can save a lot of energy.
Don't bring in portable heaters. Staff are asked to raise heating problems in their office with the Estates division. Even wearing appropriate clothing for the weather can reduce the need for additional heating.
Be freezer friendly in the Laboratory - Reduce temperature of -80 freezers to -70 in science Schools. Investigate where freezers can be shared to maximise use of space. Clean freezer filters regularly to ensure they're working efficiently.
Think about your waste – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Minimise your waste wherever possible. Make use of Xchange for surplus equipment and goods (see www.cardiff.ac.uk/purch/surplus/index.html).
Use the University Recycling Scheme: www.cardiff.ac.uk/estat/cleaning/Waste%20Disposal%20and%20Recycling/estates-waste-disposal-and-recycling.html.
Don't waste water
Identify use of water within your area and identify where consumption maybe reduced.
Use public transport or walk rather than taking taxis to travel between campus offices and lectures. Consider Car sharing instead of driving alone or cycle to work. Use teleconferencing and video conferencing instead of travelling to meetings.
For information on how to tele/video conference at Cardiff University visit:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/graphicsandmedia/videoconference/index.html
www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/it/comms/telephones/teleconference.html
For more details on green travel visit:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/environment/greentransport/index.html
Don't print documents unless you really have to. Print on both sides where you can. Share essential documents with colleagues rather than printing a copy each.
Close the loop – buy environmentally friendly products
Before purchasing any new product, question whether it is necessary? Can you make use of XChange and re-use equipment? The Xchange site allows users from the UK Higher Education, Further Education and Research Council sectors to buy and sell redundant equipment. If you have to buy new then consider sustainable procurement and consider energy use – see University pages on Sustainable Procurement:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/purch/sustainableprocurement/sustainable-procurement.html
Have your say; Suggest improvements
If you see an opportunity in the workplace to improve environmental efficiency or reduce waste, spillages etc then tell your line manager or contact your local Eco Champion (details at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/sustainability/getinvolved/forecochampions/index.html
(Blas top tip: Keep a look out for free coasters made from recycled tyres during Sustainability Week bearing one of these eight golden rules – can your office of School collect all eight?!)
Travel Plan
The University-wide Travel Plan aims to encourage more sustainable travel and to reduce the University's carbon footprint. It includes: the liftshare scheme, bike to work and campus walking maps. Find out more about the plan at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/environment/greentransport/index.html
On Thursday 1st November, Campus Services will have more details about the Travel Plan at the Charities Fair in Main Building – you can pick up a free pedometer from them too to see exactly how far you're walking each day.
Wellbeing Wednesday
As part of the University's Sustainable Food Policy, University restaurants and coffee shops have introduced a healthy eating initiative called Wellbeing Wednesday. Taking place twice a month, Wellbeing Wednesday aims to increase the use and promotion of food that has been prepared in a healthy way using food that is local, seasonally available ingredients.
Find out more about Wellbeing Wednesday on the Catering & Bars website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/catering/
Video conferencing
Videoconferencing allows face-to-face dialogue and live presentations, between groups of people at two or more locations anywhere in the world. The University has two studios, which are part of the Welsh Video Network (WVN). They are at The Railway Room - 51 Park Place, Cathays Park Campus and the Videoconference Room - Room 1:20, Ty Dewi Sant, Heath Park Campus. For those who cannot get to a video conference suite, desktop videoconferencing services are also available. Find out more about how video conferencing can help you here.
Desktop videoconferencing services are also available through the Skype service.
Telephone conferencing facilities can also be used. Find out more at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/it/comms/telephones/teleconference.html
More Sustainable Printing
Printing is an area where almost everyone can make a difference to the environmental impact of the University. A new web page, with tips for more sustainable printing, is now available on the Information Services web site, along with lots of other hints and tips for more sustainable working. Moreover, new Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs - combined printers and photocopiers) were installed in the libraries over the summer. These MFDs are set to print duplex by default to help reduce the amount of paper that is consumed in day-to-day printing activities, but can also print single-sided if required. You can read more tips on more sustainable printing at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/aboutus/sustainability/hintsandtips/printing