Aston's Green Team

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We aim to keep our campus one of the greenest and most sustainable in the country and have a range of projects to achieve this, including the internationally acclaimed ISO 14001, ISO 5001 and Eco-campus Platinum environmental and energy management systems. Our efforts have helped place the University 5th in the 2017 People and Planet University Green League.

Have you spotted our ‘Kitty the Kestrel’ branding around campus? This is inspired by the kestrels that have nested on the University’s Main Building for over thirty years – first discovered in an abandoned toilet! Hopefully the kestrels keep returning to campus each year. When they do you can watch the chicks hatch on the ‘Kestrel Cam’ each spring. 

Look out for Kitty the Kestrel’s tips on how to be green around campus – including what to recycle and encouraging you to take the stairs instead of the lift. 

You can learn more about our Kestrels at the Aston Campus Wildlife group

Kitty

The University has a Sustainable Transport Action Plan in place to help reduce the amount of carbon emissions being generated through commuting. However you travel to the University whether you walk, cycle, use public transport, car share or drive there is a wide range of initiatives, guidance and information as outlined within the this plan to increase your travel choice and help support you to plan your own personal sustainable travel journey. 

  • The University has an active AstBUG (Bicycle User Group) with details of cycling initiatives here
  • There is a Car Share Database through Faxi that you can find a passenger or driver near you to start car sharing here
  • Staff can use the University BMW i3 for short to medium distance travel during the day - for more information contact environment@aston.ac.uk
  • Staff can apply for an annual rail or bus pass through salary sacrifice to get discounted rail travel. More details can be found here
  • Birmingham City Council provide a number of Walking and Jogging routes in Birmingham that can be found here . The Birmingham urban walking route planner provides you with a route map between any two points as well as circular and themed walks which include your journey time, calorie burn, step count and carbon saving. It’s quick, free and healthy!
  • Finally, for local bus information you can visit Network West Midlands

 

Last year the University spent £3.5 million pounds on energy, which emitted around 7,600 tonnes of CO2e into the atmosphere.

We have a target to reduce our carbon emissions by 48% in 2020, compared to what we used in 2005/6. Although we've reduced by 32%, we've still got a way to go and we need help from all staff and students to help us achieve this:

  • Please switch off lights in unoccupied rooms or if it’s sunny outside.
  • Switch off electrical equipment when it’s not needed. Don’t be tempted to leave things in standby mode!
  • Switch your PC off fully (at the plug) when leaving work.
  • Layer up and turn down radiator valves when the heating is on.
  • Get fit and take the stairs instead of taking the lift, especially for short journeys. Stair climbing burns more calories than jogging!
  • If you have air-conditioning running, ensure you close all doors and windows and that it only turns on after 23oC.
  • Don’t be a drip! Ensure you turn off taps fully to reduce wastage.
  • There are water dispensers available across campus (please see map below). Free drinking water is also available from Cafe 66 and Tierra Food Court in the Main Building.
  • Report all leaks or toilets constantly flushing to the estate helpdesk
  • Any suggestions on how we can save energy? Please get in touch.

Aston Student Villages residential emissions

The University sold all of its residential properties in early 2017. On this basis it does not report on any emissions for residential properties.

Warp It is an online reuse tool that will help to reduce waste and procurement costs as well as make the sharing of resources across the University more efficient and reducing the need for storage.

Staff can register the online tool to either look for resoures they may need or add resources for other staff to claime. Please visit WarpIt for more detail.

**Please be mindfull that during busy periods where porters are required for departmental moves, exams or graduations including the summer peak periods you will need to be patient when arranging collections or furniture removal.**