Green Impact Scheme

Well we did it! We received a Bronze Standard certificate at the Green Impact Award Ceremony on Wednesday 27^th May. Earlier in the year, we wrote about our aim to change the way we worked in order to become more environmentally friendly, and described  the steps we were taking to accomplish our target. 

Now for the facts and figures part! In our university, 20 departments took part, of which 15  achieved  Bronze Standard, 1 achieved  Silver and 2 achieved Gold, altogether a fantastic result! Alana Smith, the Sustainability Engagement Officer, has kindly provided the information and calculations below, completed through using the Carbon Trust calculator which estimates the impact the teams have had upon carbon reductions and financial savings.

“Energy: This year an estimated 147 people have been reached by teams campaigning for staff to switch lights and equipment off when not in use, potentially saving 16,659 kg CO2 and £2,603 this year across the institution.

Waste: An estimated 92 people have been reached by teams raising awareness to print and photocopy double‐sided, potentially saving 4,968 kg CO2 and £1,840 on resource costs this year across the institution.

Travel: An estimated 28 people have been reached by teams encouraging staff to use teleconferencing facilities rather than travelling to all meetings, potentially saving 1589 kg CO2 and £1,386 this year across the institution.”

We’re very proud of our award! Next year, we’re hoping to  improve our department’s sustainability even more and go for silver!We'll let you know how we get on.

A-Z of UWTSD Libraries...

Image courtesy of: Josh Filhol / Library A-Z

Time to continue with our A-Z of UWTSD libraries, we’re almost a third of the way through already! Today we move on to the letter G…

G is for:

·    Group Study – We try and divide our libraries into zones, so there are dedicated quiet areas and also spaces where you can get together and work as a group. In our group study areas you can chat as you work and be safe in the knowledge that you aren’t breaking any rules - nobody is going to shush you! Several of our libraries also have bookable seminar rooms where you can practice your presentations as a group. Libraries aren’t just about silent study these days!

·        Green – Let’s face it, libraries have been at the forefront of recycling and all things green for centuries! Whether it’s books and journals about the environment that you’re interested in, or just doing your bit for the environment by borrowing books instead of buying them, your UWTSD library has got it covered. We’re even taking part in the Green Impact project to find ways of making our service even more environmentally friendly in the future. 

·  Geographical Information – Whether you’re looking for an atlas, Ordinance Survey maps, Lonely Planet travel guides or in-depth country reports you’ll find something to suit all your needs at one of our UWTSD libraries!

How green is your library?

Libraries have been in the business of ‘recycling’ for many years, leading the way as environmental champions, so if you’re looking for ways to be greener why not pop into one of our campus libraries today?

You can:
· Save your pocket as well as the environment by borrowing books, CDs, DVDs and much more.
· Use one of our mixed recycling bins for your used paper, card, metal and plastic items.
· Recycle your old mobile phones and Inkjet/Laser printer cartridges in the designated bins.

Did you also know that the electricity used at the Owen Library on our Mount Pleasant campus is supported by solar panels on our roof? Following successful planning permission, the panels were installed during the Easter vacation and will generate 6.6 kW of electricity, providing the library and its users with a more sustainable source of power for the future.



So go on, give your green credentials a boost and start using your library today!