Sustainability

We work in partnership with students and staff to embed sustainable practices at the University

Building a Sustainable Future for our Student Community

Our Sustainability and Climate Emergency Strategy (2021-2025) - aligned with the University's Strategic Vision and Purpose - sets out how we operationalise our Sustainability Policy, and commits us to actions across four key themes: The Climate Emergency, Our Natural Environment, Our Working Environment and Our Travel.

The University’s innovative sustainability approach engages students, staff and members of the community to be the driving force in progressing a fully sustainable and integrated University.

As well as reducing our own and collective impact upon our planet, we aim to empower our graduates to leave the university with the skills and knowledge needed to be change-makers for a more sustainable future.

Click on the images below to find out how you can get involved with Sustainability at Swansea!

Get involved

Three students walking in the SSSI at the Bay Campus

Global Citizen Award

Join SWell

Two students shopping in the Root zero waste shop on campus

Travel

Two students stepping off a University service bus

Waste and Recycling

Biodiversity

HELP US STAY GREEN THIS FESTIVE PERIOD

You can help us stay green this Festive Season. Before you head off for the holidays, check out our sustainable top tips below.

Christmas Shutdown at Swansea University

If you are on campus before Christmas, you can join our Christmas shutdown and follow these simple steps to ensure the University saves on energy consumption:

Empty fridges and freezers in kitchen areas and recycle as much as you can.
Tidy up your spaces recycling paper and card, hard plastics, glass, and tins.
Switch off as much equipment and tech as possible (don’t switch off other people’s equipment without asking first), including:

Your computer, laptop, tablet etc.
Kettles, microwaves, and other kitchen equipment.
Lighting

Water your plants.
Close all doors and windows, and make sure fire doors aren’t held open.
Please ensure all lithium batteries are securely stored and off charge for the festive period.
Have a happy sustainable Christmas, try to shop local and recycle all your food, bottles, card and wrapping paper (check your local council website for more information).

For recycling top tips, take a look at the “Be Mighty. Recycle” webpage.

For more information you can contact - sustainability@swansea.ac.uk

Checklist for leaving labs before Christmas

No fridge or freezer doors have been left open.
All equipment that can be powered down has been. Speak to your lab colleagues to know what needs to be left on.
Fume cupboard sashes are closed and set to low flow, where safe to do so.
Lighting is turned off (where no one else is working)
All necessary doors and windows are closed and locked.
Please ensure all lithium batteries are securely stored and off charge for the festive period.

Contact your local Environment Officer for more information:

sustainability@swansea.ac.uk

Switch-Off Swansea: the facts

We all use appliances in our everyday lives. Did you know...

A full kettle boiled four times a day can cost £58 a year. Remember to fill up only what you need, it takes 2 minutes to boil a kettle for 2 cups vs 10 minutes for a full kettle (8 cups).
Instead of leaving electrical items on standby, switch off and disconnect them from the mains. This could save £65 per year!
If 50% of staff and students left laptop chargers plugged into the mains overnight, it would cost on average £134 a night on Singleton Campus.
Amidst an energy, climate, and cost-of-living crisis, switching off is an easy win!

To learn more about our sustainability story and how our student community can help us to build it, click here to access the main website where you can find information ranging from: carbon management, positive procurement, sustainable labs, induction and training, plus lots more. Have a question for us? You can contact the team here.