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Sustainable Campus

We are committed to achieving a carbon-neutral campus by 2038 through a range of impactful initiatives. By implementing energy-efficient technologies, decarbonising our buildings, promoting sustainable travel, and enhancing biodiversity, we aim to create a campus that serves as a living lab for sustainability.

  • Net Zero Carbon and Buildings Decarbonisation plans: Our Estates and Facilities team lead efforts to improve energy and water efficiency, reduce waste, and minimise resource use. Our Environmental and Energy Management System (EEMS) is certified to both ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 50001:2018 standards, highlighting our commitment to ongoing environmental improvement. Our Energy, Water, and Carbon Management Plan guides our work, setting clear goals for reducing energy consumption and transitioning to renewable energy sources. We are actively working to decarbonise campus buildings, including the elimination of avoidable single-use plastics and implementing sustainable construction practices for new projects and refurbishments.
  • Sustainable Transport: We are dedicated to reducing emissions from transport by encouraging sustainable travel options like cycling through our Cycle to Work scheme, walking, public transport, car-sharing, and decarbonising our own fleet.
  • Sustainable food policy: Our Sustainable Food Policy is designed to promote healthy, sustainable, and ethical food choices on campus. By prioritising locally sourced, seasonal, and responsibly produced ingredients in collaboration with our in-house catering services, we reduce our carbon footprint and support local suppliers.
  • Biodiversity and Green Spaces: Our commitment to a green campus extends to preserving and enhancing biodiversity on our grounds. Through habitat restoration, litter picks, and creating spaces for local wildlife in collaboration with the Salford Ranger Team, we work to protect the natural environment. Our efforts are aligned with regional initiatives such as the PlasticFreeGM pledge, aiming to reduce single-use plastics across Greater Manchester and promote broader environmental stewardship, in addition to the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme, within which we hold platinum accreditation.
  • Waste Management and circular economy: By following the principles of the waste hierarchy, we aim to minimise waste on campus and encourage sustainable resource use, guided by our Waste Management Plan. Our ethical and sustainable procurement system ensures that environmental and social impacts are considered in all purchases, from supplies to services.

Plastic Waste – The Sustainability team’s guide to removing single-use plastics from daily life 

Written by Zoe Pegg, Environmental Management Assistant The plastic issue is a complicated one, and the answer is not as simple as plastic being bad. If plastic products are made to last, are reused repeatedly, and recycled at the end of their use, they can be a long-lasting, sustainable option.   The biggest problem is our prolific use of avoidable and single-use plastics. Things such as drinking straws, plastic wrapping, disposable coffee cups, […]

People walking through Peel Park in winter.

Celebrate National Tree Week with a guided Tree Walk on campus

National Tree Week (22 – 30 November) is the UK’s biggest celebration of trees. It’s a chance to reflect on how trees support people, wildlife, and the planet. This year, the University of Salford is marking the occasion with a Tree Walk through Peel Park and our campus green spaces. Join us on Monday 24 […]

Boosting Biodiversity: Dedicating my summer to protecting campus biodiversity

By Skye Beauchamp Introduction Upon finishing my Wildlife and Practical Conservation with Professional Skills degree and gathering more field experience by working for renowned reforesting company City of Trees, I knew I wouldn’t stay away from the University for long. I put my skills and knowledge to work in my Biodiversity & Circular Economy GAP-25 […]

University Repair Café

Every year we throw away hundreds of thousands of things because they’re broken. Whether its tech, furniture or toys, it’s usually cheaper to throw an item away than to get it repaired. This means tonnes of waste goes to landfill and pollutes our environment, though it’s often things which can still be made use of. […]

Go Green Salford – Autumn 2025

Go Green Salford is our Festival of Sustainability run twice a year, once in Spring time and again in Autumn. It is a two week celebration of sustainable action happening on campus, across our community and beyond. This Autumn we had our biggest Go Green Salford yet, with the whole fortnight jam packed with loads […]

Help Design the Barratt Redrow Community Garden with the RHS

We’re excited to announce a unique opportunity for our students to help shape a brand-new community garden on campus. This project is a collaboration between the University of Salford, Barratt Redrow – one of the UK’s largest homebuilders – and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Together, we will create a green space that reflects our […]

LEAF – Conducting sustainable research, sustainably

We are very proud of the hard work our lab technicians and academics have done to attained Bronze LEAF accreditation and make research more sustainable! Not only are we looking forward to seeing them progress to Silver and Gold levels but also seeing our other university labs follow in their footsteps.  LEAF stands for Laboratory […]

River Irwell, Salford Peel Park Campus

The Silent Threat Beneath the Surface: Microplastics in Our Rivers

When we think about plastic pollution, our minds often drift to distant beaches, clogged oceans, or turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish. But what if I told you that one of the biggest threats to our health and ecosystems is lurking much closer – right in the rivers, canals, and lakes of the UK? Welcome to […]