Green Impact
Research Services is one of the University’s departments taking part in the Green Impact Project. Following the Bronze Award in 2009/10 and Silver in 2010/11, we are delighted to have been awarded the Gold Standard in 2011/12.
This project offers departments at the University of Kent a practical opportunity to embed good environmental and ethical practices in their everyday work. The project is part of the Degrees Cooler programme which is funded by the Greener Living Fund, and sponsored by DEFRA.
Green Impact recognises the great influence that both academic and non-academic departments have in the university environment, and that any changes made here will go a long way! Full details can be found on the Estates Department Sustainability page.
| Research Services actively encourages its staff to: |
- Use resources wisely by only printing off essential emails and documents for files. Wherever possible this printing should be double-sided.
- Recycle all waste paper, cardboard, plastics etc using either the recycling bins provided in each office, or the bags in the Registry kitchens. Glassware such as old coffee jars should be taken to the nearest glass recycling point. Staff are also aware of the facilities for recycling batteries, cds etc.
- Where practicable, turn off monitors, computers, printers, fans, heaters and other equipment when not in use; and without fail at the end of the working day. All our offices have sensors which turn off lights when the rooms are unoccupied..
- Within the constraints of the Registry’s heating system, staff are encouraged to keep the temperature of the room no higher than 24oC.
- Take advantage of the various travel discounts available when using public transport to get to the campus.
- Investigate whether they can take advantage of the University’s car sharing scheme or the Cycle to Work Scheme; details of which are given on the travel discounts web page.
- Improve air quality in their offices by having at least one pot plant.
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| Research Services actively aims to ensure that: |
- All white printer paper purchased by the office is from the Office Depot Green Paper range. As and when their coloured papers are produced in this range, these too will be ordered.
- All used printer cartridges are sent for recycling. We are unable to use the Office Depot recycled cartridges as this affects the warranties of our Hewlett Packard printers.
- Wherever possible we order stationery items with sustainable identifiers.
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Our involvement in the Scheme is an ongoing process and staff are regularly encouraged to come up with energy saving ideas and change all their behaviours for the sake of the environment.
Contact: Sue Prout