Sustainability Update & Events

Firstly, we'd like to welcome back those of you who have returned to campus over the last month, it's so lovely to see so many people on site again! As the new term begins, we have plenty of exciting news to share with you, so please read and disseminate the information below as it includes some important updates that are relevant to all building users!

 

Upcoming Events and Activities

Sustainability Tours: 21st October, 12:30pm-1:15pm

As part of our engagement programme following on from Welcome Week we are hosting a series of Behind the Scenes Sustainability Tours, where staff and students can book on to find out more about what we're doing on campus.

Join us as we meander around our buildings and grounds highlighting features such as the cycle and active travel facilities, our green spaces, building features and renewable energy projects. We will also be giving practical advice about where you can find useful facilities such as water coolers, specialist waste bins and the best sports for picking blackberries and enjoying your lunch ...

If you'd like any further information drop me an email or book your place on the next tour via the Eventbrite pages below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/174088482337

 

 

Sustainable Travel Fair: Wednesday 3rd November 11:00am-2:00pm

We are excited to be hosting an event in person on campus where you are invited to come along and meet a variety of exhibitors promoting the offers and opportunities available to our staff and students around sustainable and active travel!

Come along to find out about the new Cycle2Work schemes, Northern and M-Card offers available to you and to catch up with colleagues in the Sustainability Team, Campus Support, Occupational Health and the Students' Union to see what we're doing to support sustainable travel at the University. We also have 28 slots up for grabs for the long-awaited e-bike test rides run by partner organisation EPIK. These hour-long e-bike test rides are free of charge and a great way for you to get a feel for the bike to help you decide of an e-bike might be for you! You can also register your interest for the e-bike hire scheme that will be launched in full later this year.

In celebration of the event, we are also offering free breakfasts to those of you who cycle to campus that day, all you need to do is share a photo with us of you on your commute on Instagram @HudSustainability, via email, or find us at our stall in person at the fair to collect your voucher!

Join us on the Plaza and in Schwann Atrium and Student Central 11:00am-2:00pm on Wednesday 3rd November and book your e-bike test ride here.

sustainable travel fair wednesday 3rd november 11:00am-2:00pm Shwann Student Central & The Plaza

Cycle2Work Scheme

We are pleased to confirm that University staff members now have access to 3 Cycle2Work schemes! Thanks to our colleagues over in Payroll we are now able to offer you three schemes with limits varying from £1000-£4000. These schemes, delivered by Halfords, Vivup and The Green Commute Initiative allow employees to purchase bikes, E-bikes, and associated equipment from local independent, or national retailers via a salary sacrifice scheme. Full details on eligibility, and how to apply can be found on the Employee Benefits pages.

Halfords will also be attending the Sustainable Travel Fair on Wednesday 3rd November where you can find out more about the Cycle2Work scheme and see some of the bikes available to you.

 

Cycle Parking & Abandoned Cycles Procedure

Over the last 18-months we have been working to improve cycle facilities on campus, as more of us begin to return to campus you may notice a couple of new facilities, and some updates to existing ones. You will now find some Sheffield Stands located outside the Security Hub in Harold Wilson, these are ideal for short visits to campus for you to highlight to students, and visitors to the University who are just calling in. Further plans are afoot for a new secure cycle store, and to relocate and bring the individual cycle lockers back into use. The existing secure cycle shelters located by Charles Sikes Building, and Sparck Jones Building have also benefitted from improved security measures including additional railings, improved lighting and CCTC as well as signage to make these safer and more secure.

Now that or cycle facilities are beginning to shape up the Abandoned Cycles Procedure will begin to be enforced by the Security Team, this procedure covers both abandoned and inappropriately parked cycles therefore we recommend that you, and your colleagues who cycle to work take the time to read over the procedure. The procedure, which prohibits bikes from being taken inside buildings, and bikes being left in our shelters for long periods of time will begin to be enforced by our Security Team in the near future. The policy can be viewed here.

All shower facilities are now open on campus, your nearest shower and changing facility can be found under the 'Cycle Facilities' heading on the Cycling pages.

Photo of bicycles

MCard & Northern Corporate Scheme

For those of you commuting to campus via public transport, the MCard is now back up and running and offers competitive rates to University Staff. This scheme has changed slightly since 2019, and you can now apply for your card at any time during the year.

Northern have also taken into account the changes in work patterns that have resulted from the pandemic and now offer flexi season tickets that offer fewer journeys for a reduced cost each month. All details on costs, and how to apply for the MCard can be found on the Employee Benefits Pages.

 

Waste & Recycling:

While so many of you have been away from campus, we have been working hard to understand how our buildings are used and what waste is generated on site. We have carried out research, conducted audits and held focus groups with University students and staff to help inform the changes that we are making, the full details of which can be seen below.

Duo Bins:

Our duo bins will remain in place across all spaces with the exception of our catering outlets; training has been given to our cleaning team and the signage has been updated on these bins to ensure that everyone understands what waste goes where and to allow you to let us know when something isn’t right. If you encounter an issue using these bins, please scan the QR code and fill out the form, this will be picked up by a member of Campus Support or the Sustainability Team.

Where you have access to a duo bin, please dispose of your waste accordingly:

Mixed Recycling:

General Waste, all other waste including:

General waste and mixed recycling infographic

Recycling Stations:

As the majority of our more complex waste is generated in our catering outlets, we are piloting a new scheme where each of our catering outlets become a recycling hub where you can segregate and dispose of your waste. Each station will have 5 waste streams within it:

If your waste doesn’t fit into one of the above categories, or you are in doubt, please use the general waste stream. If you’d prefer to collect your waste and bring it to your nearest recycling station rather than using the duo bins that’s absolutely fine as these stations will be accessible during the opening hours of the outlet to all building users.

 

These changes will be rolled out over the next couple of weeks so look of for us on campus and give us a shout with any questions! You can also get in touch at sustainability@hud.ac.uk

photo of recycling bins

We hope that you're as pleased with these developments as we are, and we look forward to seeing you at the Sustainable Travel Fair in November!