Recently, a sustainability workshop brought together a newly-formed sustainability governance team for Lancaster to discuss progress to date and begin the process to collectively agree the University’s sustainability priorities for the year ahead.

Attended by more than 40 people, the new team has representation from staff across the University. You will receive updates from this team throughout the academic year via the Staff Intranet and the Sustainability website.

In the meantime, here are five examples of people across campus who have been making a difference through positive change this summer:

Plastic bottles swapped for reuseable kegs

Lancaster University is the first Higher Education institution in the country to adopt the Freshkeg Smart Milk system that saves hundreds of plastic milk bottles from being used on campus. The system uses 50 litre steel kegs of milk, which eliminates 25 two-litre plastic milk bottles per keg. The milk is supplied by Stephensons Dairy in Morecambe. Following a successful trial in The Marketplace, the aim is to implement this in other university-owned cafes and outlets.

Furniture swapped in LICA

Small swaps can make a big difference. Recently, following some staff moves, LICA had some surplus furniture. Luckily, a student rep had mentioned to their lecturer that they would love some extra seating for the Architecture studio space, and therefore a swap was made. The result: some very happy students! If you have any surplus furniture, perhaps mention it in department meetings and see if you can find a good home for it.

Little green fingers

Lancaster University Pre-School Centre has been sowing the seeds of knowledge by introducing a small allotment area which the children have been looking after. Old containers and tyres have been transformed into fertile beds for a diverse array of crops. So far, the children have grown strawberries, carrots, garlic, potatoes, peas, runner beans, beetroot, courgettes, tomatoes, and various herbs.

How you can reduce your office carbon footprint

At the recent Sustainability Knowledge Exchange meeting, Andrew Meikle, Head of Corporate Information Services (CIS) gave his top tips on how to personally reduce your carbon footprint at work. One tip is as simple as keeping your work laptop for five years, and only ordering new computer monitors, if you really need them. Each monitor has double the amount of embedded carbon as a laptop due to the large screen size and manufacturing process. Watch out for more of Andrew’s top tips soon.

Sustainable merchandise range available

A range of sustainable University merchandise is now being sold in the ReStore shop in Alexandra Square. The range includes clothing that is now made from 100% organic and Fairtrade cotton, which contains no toxic chemicals and is manufactured using renewable energy. Visit the new merchandise shop within ReStore Lancaster.

Got a sustainability story?

The University’s Sustainability team want to hear more from anyone who is working to advance sustainability in any way across Lancaster University, no matter how big or small.

Send your stories, suggestions, ideas, and feedback to sustainability@lancaster.ac.uk.