Sustainability newsletter
Positive action
Welcome to our February Sustainability Newsletter. As we begin a new Semester, we’re shining a spotlight on the practical ways we can work together to create a more sustainable University.
Every action we take towards sustainability makes a difference. From how we dispose of waste, to how we travel to and from campus, or get involved in societies and local initiatives, our everyday decisions help shape a more sustainable future.
Across the University community, staff and student teams continue to find practical and creative ways to reduce our environmental impact. In this edition, we highlight recent positive action across campus, share five easy ways you can make a difference, and showcase what’s coming up for you to get involved with in the next few months. In particular, keep an eye out for Sustainability Week coming up (2 to 6 March).
Positive action across campus
What we’ve been doing recently to reduce our environmental impact.
TURNING COMMITMENT INTO ACTION
Our new Sustainability Champions Network brings together colleagues from across the University who share a commitment to improving sustainability in their departments. With strong knowledge of their buildings and teams, our Champions are helping embed sustainable practices where they matter most.
They are already leading by example, working with colleagues on the Energy Saving Campaign to help reduce energy use and cut waste.
We encourage you to identify your Sustainability Champion and reach out if you have an idea to make your department or building more sustainable.
If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sustainability Champion, contact sustainability@york.ac.uk.
REDUCING OUR ENERGY USE
We’ve been upgrading campus lighting to energy-efficient LED systems as part of our efforts to cut emissions and energy usage.
Lighting typically accounts for 15–20% of a building’s energy use, so these changes play an important role in our decarbonisation efforts.
The new lighting has already been positively received—not only for its energy-saving benefits, but also for improving comfort in office spaces by reducing issues such as eye strain and migraines.
GIVING PRE-LOVED ITEMS A POWERFUL SECOND LIFE
Through our ongoing partnership with the British Heart Foundation, donations from staff and students have diverted 45 tonnes from the waste stream and raised £84,885 for lifesaving research. That’s nearly enough to fund a state-of-the-art microscope for heart and blood vessel research.
Donation banks are available across campus - check the campus map to find one near you.
Saving water in our laboratories
Laboratory equipment can be highly resource-intensive. In the Department of Chemistry, new recirculating chillers are replacing tap-water cooling for rotary evaporators, cutting water use by an estimated 22,750 m³ per year; the equivalent of around nine Olympic-size swimming pools!
REUSING AND REDISTRIBUTING
OUR UNIVERSITY EQUIPMENT
Our WarpIt reuse scheme continues to grow, with 833 staff now registered. By sharing unwanted items rather than buying new, departments have saved over £37,000 and prevented nearly 60 tonnes of waste - roughly the weight of 30 cars!
Laboratories have also saved over 4 tonnes of waste by selling unused scientific equipment through the UniGreenScheme.
OUR TIPS FOR BEING MORE SUSTAINABLE
Here's 5 simple ways to be more sustainable on and off campus this Semester.
TIP 1:
Save energy
Lighting uses a lot of energy in buildings. Please use natural lighting whenever possible and always switch off lights when you’re leaving the room.
TIP 2:
Save WATER
Save water by making sure that taps are fully switched off and that any leaks are reported via Helpdesk so that they can be fixed.
Little drips and leaks can easily mount up to large quantities of wasted water. This includes reporting toilet basins that are constantly flushing and taps that drip even when switched off.
TIP 3:
Reduce waste
Unsure what to do with a disposable coffee cup or a broken vape? Need to get rid of a pile of used post-it notes or an empty deodorant can? Check our handy Waste and Recycling Guide.
TIP 4:
Don’t buy new
Buying (or getting for free) pre-loved is now a mainstream habit. And no wonder - it combines sustainability, individuality and the thrill of finding a bargain. You don't even need to look outside of our University community.
For students, follow UOYswapdontshop on Instagram.
For staff, check #recycle-chat and #recycle-for-sale-or-wanted on Slack.
TIP 5:
Get involved
Fancy looking at birds and plants, or want to support wildlife appreciation, knowledge and conservation? The popular York City Nature Challenge is happening 24 - 27 April with an ever-growing list of events to join! Learn more about York City Nature Challenge.
COMING UP
Get involved in Sustainability at York. Here are some opportunities coming up:
- Sustainability Week 2026 | 2–6 March
A jam-packed week of talks, workshops and activities, with opportunities for staff and students to run their own events. - Student Sustainability Research Conference | Wednesday 4 March 2025
Held at the University of Leeds, showcasing inspiring student-led sustainability research. - Sustainability elective modules
Students can now apply to take a sustainability-related York Interdisciplinary Module in 2026/27. - For staff: Visit our Staff Sustainability Hub.
- For students: Visit our Student Sustainability Opportunities Hub.
Contact us: sustainability@york.ac.uk | Follow us: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
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