There is a lot you can do to contribute to sustainability! You can try for example to:
1. Reduce the use of packaging, e.g. bring about your reusable bottle and mug.
At the University of Westminster, we sell UoW branded reusable bottles in our UWSU shops and cafes. Remember to bring your cup! Students and staff get a 25p discount on a hot beverage when bringing a reusable cup.
2. Save energy, e.g. don't overindulge in heating and air conditioning, switch off lights when you don't use them.
Photo credit: "Air Condition, please!" by ANNE LOTTE is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
3. Eat less animal-based products, eat more plant-based foods and protein (beans, chickpeas, lentils, hummus, tofu, mycoprotein etc).
Photo credit: "Road-side Pulse" by Meanest Indian is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
4. Buy local, check the mileage of the products you buy.
Photo credit: "Deering Oaks Farmers Market" by Corey Templeton is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
5. Think about your waste and recycle.
Recycling is great, but also consider that preventing waste in the first place is the best. Check the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Waste Hierarchy for more information. The “waste hierarchy” ranks waste management options according to what is best for the environment. It gives top priority to preventing waste in the first place. When waste is created, it gives priority to preparing it for re-use, then recycling, then recovery, and last of all disposal.
Photo credit: "Recycling" by andyarthur is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
6. For your commute and travelling, use green options like walking, cycling, public transport. Try to minimise flights.
At the University of Westminster, changing room lockers are available upon request.
Photo credit: "Cycle London" by daveograve@ is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
For more tips on sustainable living check the recommended resources.
Your tips on sustainable living
What are your key tips for sustainable living? How do you take care of the environment and/or social justice? This could be anything, from a big project to small daily action - everything counts! Please share in this Padlet and compare answers!
Sustainability Development Home Page
UoW Sustainable Development web page
Sustainability Team Newsletter
Subscribe to the Sustainability Team newsletter! The Sustainability Team publishes a quarterly newsletter communicating upcoming events, stories of past activities, updates on sustainability workstreams and initiatives, and top tips for sustainable living. In doing so, the team keeps readers up to date with their work regarding sustainability in our teaching, research, and operations.
Westminster's Commitment to Education for Sustainable Development
The University of Westminster is driving progress on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) by adapting existing models of learning, developing new approaches to learning, empowering academic colleagues to become Sustainable Development educators, and continuing to transform our campuses into ESD learning ecosystems.
Documents
University of Westminster Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022-23
University of Westminster Sustainable Development Policy
In the News
