Supporting Sustainability Beyond The Lab

By YasminMar 17, 2026
The Environmental Impact of Laboratory Research Laboratories are a major producer of plastic and energy waste. Labs typically consume 3-10 times more energy per square metre than a typical academic or office space. In wet labs, heating, cooling and ventilation are often big contributors to energy use. Introducing the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) In the School of Biological Sciences (and many other science schools) we are working hard to reduce our environmental impact. One way we are starting to tackle this is by signing up to LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework), which was developed by UCL. LEAF provides a…
Behaviour Change, Waste and Recycling
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Lights Out Campaign Update: Small Actions, Big Energy Savings

By YasminMar 09, 2026
The Sustainability team, supported by our wonderful sustainability champions, have been running a ‘lights out’ campaign to reduce energy waste within the University. This is because people often leave lights on unnecessarily in unoccupied areas across our campuses. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our campaign to date! Please continue to support us by switching off the lights when they aren’t needed and reporting issues via the following Microsoft Form. We would especially like to hear about any circulation areas (corridors, staircases, lobbies etc.) which don’t currently have automated sensor controls. Campaign Activities Undertaken Comms out to…
Behaviour Change, Energy and Water
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Marine conservation needs fewer slogans and better priorities

By YasminFeb 27, 2026
Marine conservation is often reduced to a familiar list of actions. Use less plastic. Eat sustainable seafood. Reduce carbon emissions. Blah, blah… These of course are sensible ideas, but repeating them endlessly risks oversimplifying the real challenges facing our oceans. Many of the most significant pressures on marine ecosystems are systemic, political, and largely invisible. The Real Pressures on UK Marine Ecosystems In the UK, key marine conservation issues include declining water quality, chemical pollution, overexploitation of fisheries, and climate driven ecosystem change. Nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban areas contributes to algal blooms and oxygen loss in coastal waters.…
Behaviour Change
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The Environmental Cost Of Data Storage

The Environmental Cost Of Data Storage

By YasminFeb 04, 2026
Why the University is focusing on data decluttering DTS are running a campaign to encourage colleagues to support a data de-cluttering campaign both to help the University avoid significant cost increases in 2026, as well as decrease the environmental impact of data storage. But just what is the environmental cost of storing data? Whilst we know there is one, it can be very difficult to quantify in practical terms. How digital data storage uses energy Data is stored on local or remote (cloud) servers which consume energy. The server rooms or data centres in which they are housed also consume…
Behaviour Change
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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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Green Festival 2025

Green Festival 2025

Scroll down to explore the full Green Festival 2025 schedule, or click the link to download a PDF summary of all events! Monday 10th - Friday 14th November Share your nature photos! Time: All week Location: Online Description: Get involved with Green Festival from anywhere in the world by sharing your favourite nature photos with us. Send in your best nature and wildlife snaps this week to studentcomms@reading.ac.uk or DM on Instagram. At the end of the week, we’ll be sharing a selection of our favourites to celebrate Green Festival! Raise a glass to sustainability! Time: All week Location: The Dairy…
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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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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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