Coming Up....
Environmental Week 22nd- 26th Feburary
Throughout the week UPSU will be running events and touring around campus. VIP (Volunteering In Portsmouth) will also run events during the week anyone can get involved with. Contact vip@upsu.net
If you'd like to get invovled with planning the week or take part in supporting it please email environment@upsu.net
What We Do
- Recycling all cardboard and glass we are also tendering for a new waste contract to give us a wider range of items to recycling
- Review our energy and water usage to examine where we can reduce and streamline our operations
- Ask our staff to contribute ideas to be green
- Ensure work computers are switched off at the end of the day
- Entering competitions to keep ourselves focused on environmental issues
What You Can Do
Tips on lowering your bills
These are just a few helpful hints but if you have more ideas or anything to add please add a comment at the bottom.
Electrical Waste
- Switch off don't stand by. Leaving computers and TVs on standby through out the year can add a third to your electric bills
- Change your bulbs to energy saving one they are now much cheaper and save you cash and more reliable than standard bulbs
- Try out the carbon calculator to see what else you can do
Heating Waste
- Timers are great to cut you energy bills. Ensure its on 30min's before you wake and turns off 30min's before you intend to leave. Heating systems keep houses warm for up to 30mins after they turn off
- Ensure all windows are closed when heating is on. It sounds simple but happens often when no one looks
Water Waste
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth a running will expel 6-8litres a minute
- Displacing water in your toilet cistern with 500ml bottle filled with water will reduce your water waste by 500ml every time
- Keep a bottle of water in the fridge rather than running the tap till its cold for a drink
- Wash vegetable's in a bowl rather than under running water
Traveling
- Walking to uni or the pubs and clubs in Portsmouth rather than a taxi is cheaper and a healthier option
- Public transport can be a cheaper alternative to a personal car especially where the bulk of its use is to the supermarket and back
- When traveling by car keep your windows up whenever you can to reduce air resistance and improve your fuel consumption
- When driving. Break slowly into corners and roundabouts. Most fuel is used in acceleration slowing down slowly will mean you keep your speed into corners and need less acceleration when pulling away
Food
- Buying food from local producers is a lot fresher and so will last a lot longer it also has less packaging and has a lower carbon footprint as it has traveled a short distance
Recycle
Any old phones or ink cartridges or batteries lying around with no use for them. Bring them into the Union reception and they can be recycled or sent to charities to help raise some cash!
Download our environmental policy: http://www.upsu.net/docs/cat_view/37-policies
Find out about the unions current most significant Environmental Aspects and Impacts
