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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.

Sustainability NOW! – by Isobel Webster

Want to be trendy? Become sustainable. We can’t deny that ordering a parcel containing new clothes we have nowhere to wear in lockdown, wasn’t the highlight of the week. However, what we probably didn’t realise was how damaging fashion can be to our world and how unsustainable the term ‘Fast Fashion’ really is. I have […]

Go Green Salford – Week 3: Waste

We’re now in the third week of Go Green Salford! This week, we’ll help you finds new ways of reducing waste, whether it’s from your wardrobe, your bathroom, or your street. Sign up for one of our upcoming events: Wednesday 17/03, 13:00-13:45 Shopping From Your Wardrobe with Jessica Janvier An online talk on sustainable fashion […]

My World – by Jessica Janvier

This is my world. Our world needs to change. Being in Lockdown, we have all been forced to look at our surroundings and notice what our environment looks like. I personally have been saved by my environment. Due to living in the countryside, I have felt like I can go for my daily exercise – […]

11 simple ways to reduce your food waste

Food waste impacts our planet, society, and the economy: it drives climate change, threatens global food security, and it’s costly to manage. Because of this, it’s currently one of the main enemies to sustainability. Fortunately, while wasting food is harmful, it can also be easy to avoid! To support the Food Waste Action Week, and […]

Earth-friendly recipe inspirations

Today is the first day of Go Green Salford!  It’s also the beginning of the Food Waste Action Week, so that’s exactly what this week is all about – food: how to make it, how it affects the planet, and how to stop wasting it.  According to WRAP’s advice on sustainable eating, pulses, grains and […]

Cycle to Work Day 2020

Staff and students: join others interested in cycling in our Bicycle User Group Teams site. On Thursday 6th August we can’t do our usual Cycle to Work Day photo competition or offer free breakfasts for cyclists this year, but we want to use the day to raise awareness of the University’s new Cycle to Work […]

Plastic Free July

Since 2011, millions of people have pledged to reduce their plastic waste as part of Plastic Free July. Will you get involved this year? Plastic Free July encourages citizens and businesses to change their behaviour in favour of avoiding single-use plastics and reducing plastic waste. The campaign is run by The Plastic Free Foundation and […]

Hedgehog Friendly Campus Working Group

One of the UK’s best loved animals the hedgehog, is having a tough time with their numbers reducing by a third since the millennium. The reasons for their decline are varied but the good news is Hedgehog Friendly Campus is a fantastic new initiative looking at small steps we can put in place to counteract some of the challenges hedgehogs face and really make a difference to our prickliest (potential) […]

Bike Week 2020

Bike Week 2020 is taking place from 6-14 June. Delivered by Cycling UK, the week will celebrate all that’s great about riding a bike, with a week of fun digital activities which you can get involved in. Bike Week aims to encourage people to experience the joy of cycling. Cycling is a well-loved activity that’s […]

World Environment Day – Green Campus Group meeting

World Environment Day has been celebrated every year since 1974 and offers a global platform for inspiring positive change. This year’s theme is biodiversity and in keeping with this, we will be holding a virtual Green Campus Group meeting on Friday 5 June at 11am. We will give a general update on related projects, but […]