Staff and Student Engagement
We encourage all students and staff to live and work sustainably and reduce their environmental impact and there are many opportunities to be involved in initiatives and activities taking place on campus. One of the best ways to keep up to date with our initiatives and activities is through our Twitter and Instagram accounts.
We encourage all students and staff to live and work sustainably and reduce their environmental impact and there are many opportunities to be involved in initiatives and activities taking place on campus. One of the best ways to keep up to date with our initiatives and activities is through our Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Go Green Week
The University hosts an annual Go Green Week in collaboration the Student Union every spring and also puts on events in support of the Winchester City Go Green Week, normally held in the autumn. The most recent university Go Green Week featured a full and exciting programme of activities including a plastic pledge event, a climate anxiety coffee session, coffee cup giveaway and an exciting active travel showcase! The Students Union also hosted their first Sustainability Hub in April 2024.
Campus Blackout
The University's annual Campus Blackout sees teams of staff and student volunteers switch off computer monitors, lights, printers and other small power in offices and teaching rooms across King Alfred and West Downs quarters on a Friday night. This allows us to demonstrate the positive impact our collective actions can have on the University's carbon footprint and energy bills. The last Campus Blackout event, held November 2023, saw more than 20 students and staff get together and their switching off actions achieved a 5% reduction in energy use overall in the buildings selected,(compared to a baseline average of the previous two weekends' energy use).
Bike Doctor
We host a regular Bike Doctor outside the King Alfred Centre, in partnership with Bespoke Biking, where students and staff can bring their bikes for free maintenance checks and minor repairs carried out by qualified mechanics. Dates for the 2023/24 Academic year can be found on the intranet.
Bag It Up
Between April and June the University runs an end-of-year move-out project which supports students to donate unwanted items to a good cause when they move out of halls of residence. Students are provided with bags and stickers for clothing, bedding, homeware, kitchenware, books, and other items such a non-perishable food. Bags are collected weekly from halls, sorted, and donated to local charities around Winchester.
Litter Picks
Students and Staff can take part in regular litter picks throughout the academic year. We are keen to keep our natural environment around Winchester as clean and green as possible while reducing the University’s impact on the environment. In the academic year 22-23 our litter picks removed over 30KG of litter from local parks and green spaces. If you would like to run your own litter pick or join our next litter pick then reach out to us via email on environment@winchester.ac.uk or contact us through the Meet The Team pages.
My Green Lab Certification
All labs at the university are working towards My Green Lab Certification. This certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. For more information on the green labs certification, please contact environment@winchester.ac.uk
Hedgehog Friendly Campus
The University of Winchester has been recognised for its hedgehog-friendly campus with a prestigious Gold award from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). The award is the result of years of University-wide teamwork and dedication to a much-loved yet endangered species. There are lots of opportunities and various activities to get involved with throughout the academic year, which range from undertaking surveys and building houses, to fundraising and other awareness raising activities. If you are interested in getting involved please email environment@winchester.ac.uk
Student Union Sustainability Action
The University of Winchester Students Union work hard at engaging the student population in sustainability action during their time at the university. More details of SU activities and campaigns can be found on their website- Sustainability @ Winchester Student Union (winchesterstudents.co.uk)
Have Your Say
We are always keen to hear from our students and staff, please email us on environment@winchester.ac.uk or contact us through the Meet The Team pages.