University reduces environmental impact

At the University of Southampton, the Residences and the Sustainability teams work together to run several initiatives throughout the year encouraging donations to charities and reducing avoidable waste.

During the early summer, when students move out of halls of residences, most students take items home to be reused in subsequent years at the university.

However, for some students, this is not always possible and many good quality items can go to waste.

An initiative was trialled in June 2022 at Wessex Lane Halls of Residences, which encouraged students moving out of halls to donate any unwanted kitchen items. The university received several bags of good quality donations from students, which were repackaged and given to new international students arriving in the autumn. By encouraging donations each year, the university aims to reduce the need for unnecessary purchase and disposal. delighted to receive around 80kg of food donations for those in need in the local community. In April 2022, there were an additional 47 crates of food donated to Southampton City Mission, from leftover food packs purchased for students who had to selfisolate during the pandemic.

Becoming Greener

AND MORE SUSTAINABLE

Food and cleaning product collection points were also set up to donate to the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership, who were

At all of the halls of residence sites there are British Heart Foundation clothing donation points and students are encouraged to use these to donate any unwanted clothing. Throughout 2022, students donated 2776 bags of clothes, raising £38,864 for the charity.

These initiatives are just a few examples of the great work conducted at the university to reduce its environmental impact.