The Flavour Garden: 2025 and still alive at the University of Reading

By YasminJul 17, 20250 Comments
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, 20250 Comments
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, 20250 Comments
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
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Opportunity to become a Youth Sustainability Champion

By YasminMay 14, 20250 Comments
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, 20250 Comments
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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One Easter Egg at a Time

By YasminMar 17, 20250 Comments
Did you know that in the UK alone, approximately 80 million Easter eggs are sold each year! With the Easter break fast approaching, and everyone enjoying the abundance of chocolate at this time of year, it can be very wasteful and impactful on our planet. Therefore, we wanted to share with you some easy, cracking tips on how to have both an egg-citing and sustainable Easter this year. Buy Fairtrade chocolate – guarantees fair pay for workers and is sourced as ethically as possible Avoid wasteful packaging – choose plastic free or compostable packaging Recycle where possible – if you…
Behaviour Change, Fairtrade
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RED Sustainable Action Award – What is it, and how can you get involved?

By YasminMar 03, 20250 Comments
Why should you join? Do you want to gain awareness of sustainable issues and opportunities whilst developing your employability skills? Then you should sign up to the Reading Experience and Development (RED) Sustainable Action Award. In doing so you will gain an award that will demonstrate your sustainability awareness and understanding to future employers, evidencing some of the skills that many companies are actively seeking, whilst committing to making the world a better place for all. How do you complete it? To successfully achieve the Award you will need to complete 40 hours of activity across two components (Acquire and Act), with…
Awards and Achievements
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Have you tried the Co Wheels Car Club?

By YasminFeb 26, 20250 Comments
The University offers two car hire locations where staff can rent cars for as little as 30 minutes through the Co Wheels Car Club scheme. It’s ideal for both personal and business trips, helping to reduce the need to bring your own car to campus, while cutting down on costs and easing parking demands. To use the Co wheels Car Club, follow these instructions: Step 1: Become a Member Sign up online to gain access to over 600 vehicles across the UK, including those located at UoR. Join the University’s business account to book cars for work and add a personal…
Travel and Transport
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Park and Ride – FREE travel for staff and students from Mereoak (Junction 11 of the M4)

By YasminFeb 17, 20250 Comments
Do you travel from Mereoak to University? If you do, did you know that we can save you money, and reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) on the road, therefore reducing traffic, and urban air pollution and emissions, all at the same time. This is all possible due to Park and Ride, a free sustainable travel option from Mereoak (Junction 11 of the M4, RG7 1WJ) to either Whiteknights campus or London Road campus. Between September and December 2024, we saw approximately 2000 journeys being made using Park and Ride, and we want all staff and students to know they can…
Travel and Transport
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The White Knight 20 – A Great Success!

By YasminFeb 10, 20251 Comment
Did you know that a new bus service launched in September 2024; the White Knight 20! This express service, developed by Reading Buses, between Reading Town Centre and train station and Whiteknights Campus runs up to every 10 minutes, and only has a travel time of 15 minutes or less. Since launching 4 months ago, we can already see the positive impact the White knight 20 has had during Semester 1. Bus usage has increased by approximately 10% (compared to the 21/21a last year), and punctuality has increased from being on time 64%-81% of the time, to being on time…
Travel and Transport
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