Environmental Sustainability

Useful Tips

Use your building and heater effectively
Use curtains and blinds effectively, and set your heater to provide a comfortable environment without using large amounts of energy.
Enable energy-saving features of your computer
Enable the energy-saving features of your computer, so that the screen blanks out and the hard disk goes into energy-saving mode when you're not actively using the computer.
Switch off computer monitors
When you're out of the office for more than 15 minutes, switch off your computer monitor.
Switch off the office lights
If you're leaving the office for over 30 minutes, or if your office is already well-lit by natural light, switch off the office lights.
Report leaks — tell your administration office or call Campus Services to report any leaks in your building
Check your shower's efficiency — measure the flow in your shower; if it is greater than 9 litres per minute you can install a flow restrictor or new showerhead to save water
Take shorter showers — an average shower uses 12–15 L per minute, so cutting your shower by 5 minutes could save at least 60 L of water, if not more!
Minimise water use where possible — eg if you have a dishwasher, only run it when it is full.
Conserve water in the laboratory — turn the water off when not required, If you see something leaking or wasting water report it to Campus Services.
Do not leave taps running unnecessarily
If it's short take a walk
- Before jumping in the car consider whether you really need to drive. Each litre of petrol consumed emits 2.5kg of greenhouse gases, and this rises significantly when a car is cold, so if it's short, take a walk
- If you need to go further why not ride a bike, catch a bus, get a lift, ride a skateboard, roller blade, do something different — have a bit of fun getting around.
Reduce, reuse and recycle
Consider the life cycle of products in your actions, including the uses you put them to and what you do with them after you're finished
Use scrap paper for drafts and notes
Reusing things like scrap paper helps reduce the overall amount of waste the University generates
Recycle paper waste, cardboard, rigid plastic, cans and glass containers
Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste the University sends to landfill
Double side and reduce when photocopying & printing
When you have to use paper, use it more more efficiently by using both sides and shrinking documents to the smallest practical size.
Use non-disposable mugs and crockery
Keep enough durable mugs, crockery and cutlery for occupants and guests, avoiding the need for disposables

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Environmental Sustainability

Useful Tips

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