Environmental Sustainability Report - University of Oxford

University of Oxford Environmental Sustainability Report 2010/11 12Sustainability in collegesWhile this Environmental SustainabilityReport doesn’t include data for colleges,which are managed separately from theUniversity departments, we think it’s goodto highlight the work they’ve been doingto become more sustainable in 2010/11:Kellogg College set upbee hives in its garden.Other achievements includepromoting Fairtrade products, showingenvironmentally themed films, lecturesand dinners with a Fairtrade focus anda sustainable fashion show (this yearthe college hopes to receive FairtradeFoundation certification). After a surveyrevealed some houses weren’t recycling,the college put in place formal recyclingsystems in Bradmore Road residentialhouses – all of which are now recycling.In 2012 the focus will be on optimisingsustainable food consumption andsurveying the college to find out whatpeople prefer to eat (local, organic,seasonal, etc); what the Rewley Houseprocurement procedures are, and workingwith the kitchen to identify areas ofimprovement.Lady Margaret Hall has anallotment, incorporated wildlifehabitat into its garden designand produced a Biodiversity Fact Sheetfor its gardens.Linacre College published acarbon reduction strategy witha target to reduce CO 2 emissionsby 40% by 2020. It installed solar panelswhich generate 15 KWh a day. Thecollege is investing in a rolling programmeof replacing old windows with highperformancedouble glazing. Students andsupporters have raised funds for a greenscholarship to fund a student to assist thecollege in improving sustainability.Magdalen College grew lotsof different types of herbs in itsgardens for use in its kitchens.Merton College Head Gardenerarranged for a plot of college landto be used as an Edible Gardenand supplied leaf mould and compost.The student support committee allocatedtools and a shed. The students organisedgardening sessions and sourced seeds andplants via the University’s virtual PlantSwap. The college will install raised bedsin 2012.Rhodes House produceda Biodiversity Fact Sheet forits gardens.Worcester Collegeincorporated wildlife habitatinto its garden design. Theyhave an allotment and apple orchard(the apples are used to make apple juicethat is sold at Waterperry Garden Centrein Oxfordshire).Queen’s College openedits new auditorium which hasground source heat pumps andhas also gained planning permission toput photovoltaics on its St Aldate’s 90room accommodation building. It hasalso commissioned a sustainability audit.And finally…Several colleges recycled theirold mattresses via a local recycler(they are made into new mattressesand pet bedding).All colleges can now recycleunwanted books for free, via theOxfam bookshop in Oxford.Contact theSustainability TeamTo find out more about theUniversity’s environmentalsustainability or to give usfeedback on the report, contact:sustainability@oued.ox.ac.uk