From adopting effective waste management systems and green building design practices to reducing harmful emissions and utilising sustainable energy sources, we are putting into practice the work conducted by our environmental research teams and endeavouring to reduce our carbon footprint.
Award-winning green design
The University has received a number of awards for its green design practices, particularly at the Jubilee Campus which is beautifully landscaped around a series of lakes that not only form part of its cooling system, but also provide a city centre habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Building on the sustainable ethos of Jubilee Campus, the adjacent University of Nottingham Innovation Park (UNIP) combines sustainable design with renewable energy sources.
Recycling
We are working hard to:
We have several recycling centres and have increased the number of on-street mixed recycling bins across our campuses.
We recycle:
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cans and tins
- paper, newspapers and magazines
- glass and plastic,
- cardboard and textiles
- computer hardware and ink cartridges
- fluorescent tubes
- mobile phones
Greener gardens
When you take a stroll around University Park Campus, you will not be surprised to learn that the University holds the Civic Trust Green Flag Award for parks and open spaces.
Widely regarded as one of the most attractive campuses in the England and, at 330 acres, one of the largest, we ensure that it is also one of the greenest, by utilising a variety of organic gardening practices including:
The Friends of University Park organise a series of events, garden walks, special open days and talks to help visitors enjoy the park and learn about the fauna and flora it is home to.
Students’ Union
The Environment and Social Justice Committee, based in the Students’ Union, works to encourage students and the University to be more ethically and environmentally aware. As well as planning projects and events, the Committee offers support to a number of societies that advocate conservation, animal ethics and human rights.
Allot Soc, a Students’ Union society for green-fingered students, runs the allotment scheme on University Park. Adopting best practice organic principles, community values and consensus decision-making, the society promotes horticultural skills and practices.
Meanwhile, the Student Volunteer Centre offers opportunities with a variety of ecological and conservation projects, both as long-term and one-off ventures.
Travel-wise
We actively encourage the use of sustainable forms of transport. The University is criss-crossed with cycle paths, secure cycle parking is available at all campuses, and there are good cycle path networks across the city.
Our free hopper bus services between the three main campuses are complemented by excellent public transport links, including Nottingham City Transport’s dedicated term-time Unilink bus services from the University Park and Jubilee campuses to the city centre.
Eco-housing and Creative Energy Homes
The Institutes of Building Technology and of Sustainable Energy Technology have extensive research facilities including the Centre for Renewable Energy, the Sustainable Research Building and the Eco-Experimental House.
The Eco-house is an environmentally friendly building that utilises and tests sustainable energy sources, including:
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solar thermal collectors
- a wind turbine
- ground source heat reclaim
Six more eco-homes are under construction as part of the Creative Energy Homes Project.
Environmental affiliations
To ensure continual improvements to our environmental performance, the University is a member of the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) which provides benchmarking activities and allows members to share best practice.
We also have strong affiliations with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and are actively involved with the work of Higher Education – Environmental Performance Improvement (HEEPI).
“The Energy Technologies Institute, hosted by the Midlands Consortium of Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham universities, will… play a major role in low-carbon technology developments internationally.”
Times Higher Education, 2008
Find out more about the University's commitment to sustainability