NEW Electric Car Club at London Road

By YasminNov 17, 2025
We are pleased to announce the arrival of a brand new electric Co-Wheels car at London Road, Acacia Road car park. The car is the first electric car club car in Reading and is available to use by all staff and students (over 19 years old). This new car brings our car club offer to three locations across our campuses. You can access the car club from as little as 30 minutes for any type of journey, from business to leisure and personal trips. Follow the steps below to use the car club: Step 1: Become a Member Set up…
Travel and Transport
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Lights out: support our energy waste reduction campaign!

By YasminNov 10, 2025
Lights are often left on in unoccupied areas across our campuses, both during the normal working day and out of hours. In some cases, there are valid reasons for this such as health and safety (e.g. on stairwells). However, in many instances the lights could be turned off without negatively impacting anyone. Therefore, saving energy, money and carbon emissions. What’s the aim? The Sustainability Team and Sustainability Champions across the university are running a campaign this autumn and winter which seeks to change individual behaviours and the culture across the university. The campaign aims to ensure that lighting is only…
Behaviour Change
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New Free Thames Valley Park & Ride for University Staff and Students

By YasminOct 09, 2025
Following the success of the Mereoak Park and Ride scheme, University of Reading staff and students can now also use the Thames Valley Park (TVP) Park and Ride site free of charge when travelling to campus. This new offer is possible thanks to our ongoing partnership with the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) and Reading Buses, who run the 300 Park & Ride service. How it works Staff and students can park at Thames Valley Park and take the Reading Buses 300 Park & Ride to reach the University’s Reading campuses. Parking and bus travel are both free - the University…
Travel and Transport
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Introducing the Energy Advice Service: Save Money, Save Energy, Live Sustainably

By YasminSep 17, 2025
A New Service for Students in Private Rented Homes On 23rd September, Reading Student Union (RSU) is launching a new Student Energy Advice Service, and is supported by the University’s sustainability team. The service is designed to help students in private rented homes cut energy waste. As a result, you can save money and live more sustainably. Practical Tips: From Everyday Habits to Long-Term Savings The service offers practical advice for all budgets. For example, you can learn simple everyday habits to save energy when using washing machines, tumble dryers, and cooking equipment. In addition, you will discover low-cost options…
Energy and Water
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Gumdrop Bins: Small Change, Big Impact!

By YasminJul 25, 2025
You may have spotted something bright and new around Palmer Quad - pink Gumdrop bins have been installed across Whiteknights campus. They are part of a new initiative to keep our campus clean, save money, and help the environment. Why Do We Need These Gum Bins? Did you know that cleaning chewing gum off the pavements in Palmer Quad costs the university £6,000 every time? Gum is tough, therefore it requires specialist equipment and is time-consuming work. Additionally, gum contains plastic, which makes it non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, as well as an unpleasant eyesore. What’s Special About the…
Behaviour Change, Waste and Recycling
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The Flavour Garden: 2025 and still alive at the University of Reading

By YasminJul 17, 2025
Summer is approaching, the air is warm and the leaves have turned green. Our Flavour Garden is no different. Over the past year we have made some exciting additions to our garden to continue to make this fluorescent space, a living and breathing space to source our ingredients. New Additions: We have planted a glorious Olive Tree in the centre of the garden, which will be utilised to source fresh and delicious Olives from, which we will be able to use across our fragrant dishes from our ‘Nicoise Salads’ to our ‘Spaghetti alla Puttanesca’. Being able to source these Olives…
Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure
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Electric Vehicle Charging Upgrades Across Our Campuses

By YasminJun 23, 2025
As part of the University’s Five-Year Travel Plan – our roadmap for promoting more sustainable, low-carbon travel options – we’re making significant improvements to electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across all campuses. You can read more about the Travel Plan here. What’s New? We’ve recently upgraded the public EV chargers at Whiteknights Campus SportsPark and Greenlands Campus. Additionally, we’ve installed four brand-new EV chargers at London Road Campus. These upgrades support our wider five-year Travel Plan and help to make low-emission travel easier and more accessible for everyone.           New Charging Provider – Amp EV We’ve switched…
Travel and Transport
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A Guide To Moving Out Sustainably

By YasminMay 28, 2025
Are you moving out of your accommodation at the end of this semester? It is that time of year again where thousands of UOR students will either be moving out of their accommodation to return back home for the summer, or moving into new accommodation. Therefore, we have put this helpful guide together to signpost you in the right direction so you can move out as sustainably as possible! How to pack sustainably: Pack sustainably - use suitcases, duffle bags, and reusable containers when possible, instead of cardboard boxes Use second-hand boxes - you can ask local supermarkets and shops…
Behaviour Change, Waste and Recycling
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Opportunity to become a Youth Sustainability Champion

By YasminMay 14, 2025
The Department for Education (DfE) has opened applications for its Youth Sustainability Champion positions, a national sustainability leadership opportunity which University of Reading students can apply for. About the Youth Sustainability Champions scheme Are you 18-23 and passionate about sustainability and education? The Department for Education are recruiting for the next cohort of Youth Sustainability Champions (formerly Youth Focal Points) – three young people who will help shape education policy and provide a youth voice mechanism in heart of policy making. This is an incredible two-year opportunity to get involved in national decision making alongside civil servants and government ministers,…
Behaviour Change
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Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet

By YasminApr 14, 2025
Earth Day 2025 This year is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, a global annual event on April 22nd which focusses on supporting environmental protection. This year’s theme, 'Our Power, Our Planet' focusses on renewable and clean energy. Earth Day first began in 1970, and it gives a chance for people to focus on the challenges our planet faces whilst also giving an opportunity to appreciate everything our planet has to offer. Today Earth Day comprises of a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org and involves over 1 billion people across 192 countries getting involved! Our Power, Our…
Behaviour Change, Energy and Water
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