Be sustainable
Using collaboration and delivering training, advice, support and engagement we will raise awareness of sustainability issues and advocate for a sustainable future. Through this and our outreach and community projects we will support and encourage staff, students and community to make sustainable decisions as well as helping to tackle social issues such as fuel poverty. This will be delivered with consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion to support our EDI Statement of Ambition.
Our Sustainability Communications and Engagement Strategy is currently under review. It highlights our target audiences, communication channels, how we keep up-to-date with sector best practice, details of our main initiatives and programmes and related documents. It also contains a matrix of our current events and campaigns, an action plan and a campaign planning template.
Explore the areas below to find out how you can get involved, make a difference and ‘Be Sustainable’.
Get involved
Green Impact
Green Impact is our sustainability engagement programme and is run internationally by SOS-UK. It’s a simple, fun and flexible way for staff departments to improve their environmental performance and promote sustainability at the university, whilst receiving recognition for their efforts and impact.
Taking part benefits the university, including providing opportunities for students to gain valuable skills by volunteering as Green Impact Auditors.
- More information on our Green Impact page
Go Green Salford
Go Green Salford is one of our sustainability engagement programmes, each year we run a series of events and activities. We aim to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and encourage positive change amongst our students, staff and the local community.
Go Green Salford is back in March 2025, from 10 to 22 of March for 2 weeks of sustainability events!
- Current events for Go Green Salford
- Past events for Go Green Salford
- Get in touch via sustainability@salford.ac.uk if you've got an idea for a Go Green Salford event
Our Green Campus
Our Green Campus Group is open to staff, students and the local community. The group's purpose is to provide an opportunity for interested University and wider community members to engage with the current and future use of outside spaces at the University of Salford including how they will and could be developed and enhanced.
- Join the Green Campus Group on Teams
- Explore our Green Spaces Trail
- Explore the Salford Tree Trail
Looking to get involved in nature-based volunteering on our campus?
- Calling all gardeners, nature lovers, and bee enthusiasts! We have a Community Growing Space on campus, which you can help us grow and maintain. If you've always wanted to get your hands dirty and grow your own produce or you are already experienced and can help us, please get in touch via sustainability@salford.ac.uk and check out our Food page for more information.
- With Peel Park on our doorstep, why not get involved with their regular volunteer sessions and events – check out Friends of Peel Park on Facebook for more information.
- The Salford Ranger Team also host many events and activities in Peel Park and around in Salford, have a look at Salford City Council Ranger Team to see how to volunteer.
Hedgehog Friendly Campus
The Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign aims to turn university campuses into habitats where hedgehogs can safely live and thrive. It’s a chance for our community to come together to make real changes for the local wildlife.
Anyone can join the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Working Group - it's open to all staff and students, regardless of department, age, level of knowledge or ability. There are opportunities to become a Hedgehog Ambassador or Champion, as part of which participants receive CV references and digital badges.
- More information on our Hedgehog Friendly Campus page
Cycle and Active Travel User Group
Staff and students who cycle, walk or run to the university, or are thinking about it, can join the Cycle User Group Teams site, where you can share tips, routes and ask any related questions.
University of Salford Students' Union (Salford SU)
The Sustainability Team collaborates with Salford SU to support our student community with sustainability. Salford SU have led projects such as the Salford Swap Shop, shared sustainability related content via their communication channels, and are taking part in the SOS-UK Responsible Futures supported change programme in partnership with the University of Salford.
There is also a student Sustainability and Environment Student Society.
Student-led projects
We encourage all University of Salford students to integrate sustainability into their degree. One of the easiest ways to do so is through your dissertation or other projects. Each year the Sustainability Team support dissertations and research projects by students across a whole range of disciplines.
The Sustainability Office has a variety of live briefs, real life sustainability challenges and potential research projects for students and we are happy to support you in developing your own sustainability research ideas.
The Sustainability Office also encourages students to establish and lead sustainability projects outside of their studies and can often support with funding.
For inspiration and information on our campus sustainability challenges please see our sustainability pages.
Once you have discussed with your academic supervisor or module leader, please contact sustainability@salford.ac.uk if you would like to talk through your project idea.
If you have completed a sustainability-themed dissertation or research project and would like to share your findings with us please send them to sustainability@salford.ac.uk
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We encourage consideration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide activity.
Curriculum
The Sustainability Team work with academics to provide student briefs for live projects or dissertations and also deliver guest lectures and workshops. Let us know if this is something you would be interested in for any of your modules.
- More information on our Education for Sustainable Development page
Induction
Our interactive environmental sustainability induction is now available. All new starters should and existing staff are strongly encouraged to complete this. The course will be available in your modules menu on the e-learning platform (university staff login required).
Quick tips for being green
Check out our 10 tips to be sustainable on campus:
- Travel sustainably – could you walk, cycle or use public transport to get to university? Or could you use our car share scheme as a driver or passenger?
- Think before you print – it takes nearly half a litre of water to produce 1 sheet of A4 office paper. Could you access materials online or use projector facilities? If you do need to print something, print double sided and two pages or more on one sheet and avoid printing in colour.
- Use reusable crockery, cutlery and water bottles and use a reusable cup when buying hot drinks – by doing so you can save money on your drinks at Eat and Drink on Campus outlets and at the Students’ Union.
- Reuse non-confidential scrap paper, envelopes, bags and anything else that could be used again, either in the same or a different way.
- Recycle right – cans, tins and plastic bottles (no other plastics) go in the green mixed recycling bins, paper and thin card in the blue paper recycling bins and other items in the general waste (including coffee cups, plastic yoghurt pots etc.). Our recycling page details what to do with other items such as electronics and books.
- Switch off non-essential lights, screens, computers and other electrical items when not in use (Ricoh printers should be left on as they need to communicate remotely and they do go into a low energy mode). Think about specialist equipment and also other ways to save energy and water, such as only boiling as much water as you need in the kettle.
- Buy responsibly and sustainably - Is the purchase really necessary? Could you fix your current item? Could you borrow or rent something instead? Could you reuse items rather than buying new goods? If you do need to buy new items, could you get something made from recycled content or that is energy efficient? Consider whole life cycle costs including disposal.
- Eat green – evidence shows that eating a more plant-based diet is better for the environment. Could you have more vegan or vegetarian meals? Also think about buying local and seasonal produce or Fairtrade products
- Look after and enjoy green spaces – being outside is good for you in so many ways and we are lucky to have Peel Park on our doorstep. If you are particularly interested in the outside spaces on campus, then join our Green Campus Group
- Get involved and help spread the word! Join in with initiatives on campus and talk to others about the importance of living sustainably. If you are a member of staff, could you embed sustainability into your teaching? If you are a student, could you do piece of work that incorporates sustainability?
More information
We also have ad hoc opportunities to get involved throughout the year. To stay up to date, you can sign up to our Sustainability Newsletter mailing list. Don't forget to look out for our stalls and events during Welcome Weeks.
If you have any questions or suggestions for events and campaigns we could run or support, please contact sustainability@salford.ac.uk.