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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.

Godiya’s Litter Picking Journal

Some activities are hobbies to pass time while bringing joy to the doer. In one sentence I will describe litter picking as ‘a bringer of joy’ as I often feel fulfilled after I fill a trash bag, especially from a street or spot that I use frequently. I come from a place where independent litter […]

The Big Hog-Friendly Litter Pick Challenge

Litter is one of the main threats to hedgehogs living in urban environments. Unfortunately, many of them die because of it every year. To help create a safe and welcoming space for them on our campus, we’ve signed up to this year’s Big Hog-Friendly Litter Pick Challenge! About the challenge The challenge will take place […]

Cycle September 2021

Cycle September starts in just two weeks! It’s a global challenge which runs throughout the entire month. It aims to promote active travel and the benefits of cycling. Last year there were over 56,000 participants. Cycling has a wide range of benefits. It’s good for our health (both mental & physical), our planet and our […]

Happy Cycle to Work Day!

With many of us going back to work and study on campus soon, now is a great time to consider how we choose to travel.

Ways to reduce your plastic use and waste

Reducing our use of single use plastics can seem daunting at first, but in reality all it takes to start is some simple lifestyle changes. And what better time to do that than Plastic Free July! Single use plastics are all around us and while some of them are necessary for safety or hygiene, there […]

Salford Conversations Go Green – summary

Salford Conversations are interactive sessions for University of Salford colleagues, which give participants an opportunity to meet, discuss things that matter to them, create new connections, and learn from each other. They take place 3-4 times a year, with each session focusing on a different topic. In March we took part in the “Salford Conversations […]

Plastic Free July 2021

Plastic Free July is an annual campaign to raise awareness around one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges: plastic pollution. It has been running since 2011 and currently it is one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. In 2020, Plastic Free July was supported by 326 million participants worldwide.  Why plastic-free? There […]

Second hand sustainability – by James Creighton

‘Charity shops provide a sustainable and ethical option when one wishes to dispose of unwanted clothes‘. Charity shopping is great and is definitely associated with being a positive and sustainable act, however, a recent peak in popularity and a noticeable trend in charity shopping has created awareness of a few possible social issues these rising […]

Go Green Salford 2021: summary and resources

In March, we ran a series of events for this year’s Go Green Salford. They followed four themes, one for each week, and aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues related to food, wildlife, waste, and climate. Throughout the month, we saw lots of engagement and involvement from our community, including both staff and students! […]

The wasteful side of technology

In the last 40 years, our society and economy have been revolutionized by digital technology. As sharing data is getting easier and quicker, this helps us to become more connected, productive and informed. It is also transforming our public services; if used right, these advancements can lead to increased security and improved wellbeing. Some of […]