Greenspace news in brief
Green Move Out Scheme
The University's Green Move Out scheme, which encourages students to recycle items they no longer want at the end of the academic year instead of throwing them away has won a commendation in the 21st County Durham Environment Awards.
With approximately 7,000 students living in our colleges there are a lot of belongings left behind at the end of each term. Many of these unwanted items are in good condition and are able to be reused. The Green Move Out campaign is focussed on collecting and sorting these items into those for reuse and the items which need to be recycled.
A large reuse event is scheduled for Postgraduates and Freshers in October where both new and returning students can take any items they can make use of for a cash donation. This money is given to a local charity. This is a win-win towards climate change mitigation as it both reduces the amount of material going to landfill and saves students buying new items.
It is estimated that this summer the scheme diverted in excess of 30 tonnes of material away from landfill and made a big impact in increasing the awareness of the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' culture amongst both students and staff.
Durham scoops another green award
Durham University won a much-coveted Green Gown award in the category of 'Sustainable Procurement' at a prestigious annual award ceremony and gala dinner at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in June. Many congratulations to Alison Holmes and her team in our Procurement Service for their continued dedication and drive to ensuring that Durham University is a beacon of best practice when it comes to maximising value, efficiency and sustainability from our purchasing of resources.
This is the sixth year of the Green Gown awards, which are run by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges and this is our second Green Gown; two years ago we won an award for our student-led Sustainable Living Action Group.
Inter Campus bus service
Timetable
A new timetable will be in operation for the inter-campus bus service with effect from early October 2010. Please visit the Travel Information website www.durham.ac.uk/travel/durham.queens for further details.
Bus stop on Stockton Road
Due to the building of the new Palatine Centre and Library extension, there will be some disruption for those using the X1 inter-campus bus service.
For those using the inter-campus bus arriving at the Science Site going towards the bus station, the bus stop on the South side of Stockton Road has been removed. All passengers who would normally get off at this stop along Stockton Road now need to use the bus stop on Church Street (the bus will turn right at the traffic lights at The New Inn and the bus stop is just after the Inn).
This has been agreed with the bus company, Durham County Council and the University as being the most suitable bus stop which is still close to the Science Site. This arrangement will be in place for the duration of the building work, so for the next two years. The bus stop remains in use on the North side of Stockton Road. During this building work the footpath has also been closed on the South side of Stockton Road and will also remain closed for the next two years.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause staff and students using the inter-campus bus service.
Green Travel
We are committed to reducing the need to use private cars, making the best use of existing facilities, managing travel demands and promoting the use of more sustainable modes of transport.
The Green Travel Plan contains action plans to help us achieve these aims. Current and planned initiatives include looking to introduce a new parking permit scheme from September 2011; the inter-campus bus service providing free travel to both staff and students; daily lunchtime walks at both Durham and Queen's Campus and, for those interested in cycling, Bicycle User Groups have been established. We also have our own car share scheme. For more information about travel, please visit www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/sustainabletravel.
The Green Travel Plan also links into the environmental enhancement of the Science Site and the new Student Gateway Building which includes pedestrianisation at the centre of the site, along with the installation of additional cycle racks. Another key area of investment relates to electric vehicles and shortly electric vehicle recharging posts will be available at both Durham and Queen's Campus.
The Green Travel Plan will help us analyse our transport footprint and it is hoped that changes made, with the aid of the Plan, will go towards our goal to reduce our carbon emissions, thus benefiting not only University members but the whole community and environment.
Fairtrade status
By demonstrating to the Fairtrade Foundation that we are committed to using and promoting Fairtrade products throughout the University, we have retained our Fairtrade University status for another two years. The Fairtrade Foundation commented that 'the University clearly put in a lot of effort to work on the campaign and we were particularly impressed with your wide range and quality of events'. If you would like to know more about our Fairtrade University Status please visit the website: www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/fairtrade.
Environmental news page
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