Behaviour Change

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…

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…

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,…

Valentine’s Day is a time for love, romance, and celebrating relationships, but it’s also an opportunity to make more sustainable choices that minimise our environmental impact. From gifts to decorations to dining out, there are many ways to embrace sustainability while still showing affection for loved ones. Here’s how you can celebrate a greener Valentine’s Day this year: Choose Eco-Friendly Gifts One of the most common ways people celebrate Valentine’s Day is through gift giving. But not all gifts are created equal when it comes to sustainability. Instead of opting for mass produced items that may end up as waste,…

January marks the global Veganuary campaign, a month long initiative encouraging people to embrace a plant based lifestyle for the benefit of their health, animals, and, most importantly, the planet. The University of Reading has stepped up its sustainability game, making it easier than ever for students and staff to participate in this movement while contributing to a greener future. Why Veganuary Matters? A plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce your environmental footprint. Studies show that switching to vegan meals can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and reduce deforestation. By choosing plant-based options,…

We celebrated sustainability at our Green Festival from 19-21 with a series of different events, workshops and drop in sessions. Over 500 staff and students attended throughout the festival, which is an amazing turnout. Thank you to everyone for giving up their time to show their commitment to sustainability and to all the event organisers for their enthusiasm. It’s difficult to pick out some highlights, but our team really enjoyed: The Introduction to Carbon Literacy workshop with Jen Gale from Sustainable (ish). This session was informative, impactful and inspiring. Jen illustrated brilliantly the scale of the climate change challenge, but…