51¸£ÀûÉç

In just its second year of participation in the Green Impact programme, 51¸£ÀûÉç has achieved a remarkable milestone—reflecting the collective commitment of our community to environmental and social sustainability. Congratulations to the 51¸£ÀûÉç Green Impact Group—Charles, Caitlin, Craig, Calvin, and Clara—as well as the dedicated staff across Gardens, Catering, Housekeeping, Finance, and the Porters’ Lodge. Their year-round efforts have made a lasting impact. Special thanks also go to our Green Student Officers, whose contributions have been invaluable. As we celebrate this achievement, we’re also looking ahead—inviting new student volunteers to help us continue our journey towards a greener future.

To achieve the platinum award the College has implemented a number of actions to improve its sustainability, and some highlights are:

• An increased focus on vegan and vegetarian dishes, white meat and sustainable fish, as well as the retention of Meat Free Mondays, thereby reducing our use of red meats which produce high levels greenhouse gasses.  
• Our electric supply is now 100% green energy sourced from local wind farms in Huntington.
• Housekeeping are currently moving away from the use of chemicals to using naturally-derived enzymatic cleaning products.
• Supporting local suppliers to source vegetables and other supplies to to reduce air miles, transportation costs and in turn, reducing COâ‚‚ omissions.
• Improving our energy consumption by replacing halogen lights with LEDs, installing  sensor lights in public areas, and installing reminder stickers to switch off lights when not in use.  

Charles Howard, Deputy Bursar, Events, said:

"It has been both fun and incredibly educational for all of us at 51¸£ÀûÉç, on our sustainability journey. The Operational teams have all worked incredibly hard, to change habits, embrace new policies, appreciate what we as a College can do and how we can play our part to both improving the space, facilities and areas we both work and live in on campus, as well as contribute to reducing omissions, looking at the fantastic range of bio-diversity we have on site and work with students to create a better  environment for us all".

Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning programme that promotes environmentally and socially sustainable practices within organisations. Universities, colleges, and organisations from across the globe enter the accreditation programme each year. As an employee engagement programme, it suggests what people can do in their workplace to make a difference and guides them how to do this in an accessible but meaningful way, creating a widespread culture of sustainability. Organisations work towards, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum

Any student volunteers who would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to get in contact.