Human Metabolism
Green Impact - Make a difference…
Welcome to the Human Metabolism Green Impact information page and a particular warm
welcome to new members of staff who will receive a link to this information as part of their staff
induction.
Green Impact is a sustainability accreditation scheme that runs in universities and colleges across
the UK. It helps staff and students improve their impact on the environment by providing a
workbook of well-explained and straightforward actions to implement in their departments.
Departments can form teams and complete the workbook to gain awards.
The University of Sheffield has taken part since 2009/2010, as part of our behaviour change strategy
to reduce our carbon emissions by 43% by 2020. Further information may be found at the University
of Sheffield Green Impact webpages:
http://www.greenimpact.group.shef.ac.uk/
What is Human Metabolism doing…….?
Human Metabolism aims to promote greater environmental awareness by taking part in the Green
Impact Schemes as an individual departmental team in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
The department achieved a Bronze Award and the Best Newcomer Award in April 2013.
The Human Metabolism Green Impact Champion is Orla Gallagher. She is also a member of the
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Green Impact Special Interest Group (GI SIG) who share
best practice throughout the Faculty and disseminate information and suggestions for continued
best practice to the Faculty Management.
The department is committed to progressively minimising the environmental impacts of its
operations and has identified and ranked what it believes to be the five most significant negative
environmental impacts. These are:
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Climate control – offices and laboratories.
Leaving lighting switched on in unoccupied areas.
Leaving office and laboratory equipment on when not in use.
Reducing and recycling waste.
Promoting sustainable travel and reducing the impact on limited car parking facilities.
This document outlines some of the key things staff can do to contribute.
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Note: Some of this information is directly relevant to staff and students at the Medical School
site; for other departmental sites, please use your contact as listed at the end of this document,
or contact Orla Gallagher who will endeavour to help.
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ENERGY
Switching things off is one of the easiest ways to save money and carbon. So, please SWITCH IT
OFF when not in use.
Climate control: Generally in the Medical School building individuals have no or very limited
control of heating – if you do have control, use it to keep heating moderate, i.e. 21C or lower.
Obtain a thermometer from Orla in DU31 in the Medical School.
Heaters, fans, etc: Please keep to a minimum and switch off when not in use. The department
manager will advise on appropriate equipment and use.
Lights: Switch off lights when not needed, either because of daylight or because no-one is in the
room. Switch off lights in common areas such as toilets, storerooms or kitchens if no-one is in the
room.
Laboratory equipment: Please switch off all non-essential equipment that is not currently in use
for experiments but make sure you check with other lab users if you are unsure.
Computers: Get in the habit of switching off your computer monitor whenever you leave your
desk, or when working without the computer. Switch off your computer when away from your desk
for a number of hours. Switch off fully at the end of the day and if possible switch off at the plug –
monitors can continue to draw power even when switched off.
Printers, scanners, phone chargers, etc: Please switch off when not in use, preferably at the plug,
as these devices can continue to draw power even when switched off.
Please take particular care to switch things off at the weekend, and more especially, if you are away
from your desk for a longer period such as during annual leave and the Christmas and New Year
closure.
AVOIDING WASTE – 3 Rs
Recycle
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USED BATTERIES: Please take to DU31 Technical Office or EU16 tearoom for recycling
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FISHER 2.5L GLASS WINCHESTER BOTTLES: Please rinse according to COSHH
regulations, deface label & take to EU30 wash-up for recycling
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USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES: Please re-box & take to DU07 post/printer room for
recycling
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USED STAMPS: Please save with 0.5cm paper surrounding the stamp, & take to DU35
office or EU16 tearoom for sending to our nominated charity
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PAPER, CAN & PLASTIC RECYCLING: Please put paper, clean used cans & bottles in
designated recycling boxes in offices, corridors & tearooms.
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PIPETTE TIPS: Star Labs only: Please leave empty tip boxes in DU04 bin.
All other brands: take to LU117 for recycling by Fisher
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POLYSTYRENE BOXES: Please return to E146 delivery room for recycling or re-boxing and
returning to the company
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USED CONFERENCE BADGES: Please return to DU35 for storage & re-use
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USED CDS/DVDS: Please see IT team in Barber House to decommission used
CDs/DVDs (scratch tool) & dispose of them in confidential waste
Reduce
Avoiding unnecessary printing - The new Sustainable Print service will print duplex as default.and
will only print a document when you release it with your UCard within 36hrs from any preferred
printer: http://www.shef.ac.uk/cics/msp
Avoiding photocopying – send documents electronically; recipients can print them if they need
them – this avoids unnecessary copies being produced.
Scan documents or copy and print double sided For scanning or double-sided photocopying
follow the instructions on the machine or nearby wall.
Avoid disposable products - avoiding using disposable cups, plates – e.g. the main University
caterers are increasingly ready to facilitate this when ordering for meetings. Please bring your own
mug to meetings if possible.
Reuse
Where possible, try to find second uses for items, for example, reusing envelopes and packaging, or
finding a home for unwanted furniture or equipment. All department secretariats and the DU31
technical office have areas for envelope reuse.
Bring It Don’t Bin It:
Bring It Don't Bin It (BIDBI) gives students the chance to donate unwanted items to charity when
moving out of their accomodation. Make a difference by passing on any reusable items from pots &
pans to duvets & toasters, which will be used for good causes by local charities in Sheffield.
http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/ethical-environmental/what-you-can-do/bidbi/
Freecycle is a network open to all who want to recycle something rather than throw it away:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SheffieldCity-Freecycle/
TRANSPORT
Minimise travel where possible, using communications technology where appropriate and the FREE
shuttle bus between the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General hospital sites.
Where travel is necessary, aim to use the mode of travel with the lowest impact within cost and
time constraints. In particular, domestic air travel should be avoided in favour of the train; consider
walking, cycling or public transport for local journeys.
The University enables and promotes lots of alternative transport arrangements for staff and
visitors.
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Walking
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Plan your route around Sheffield and the University with walkit.com
University maps and Google maps also show the pedestrian routes around campus.
Cycling
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Our nearest cycle parking is the Medical School car park or on B Road by the main Royal
Hallamshire hospital entrance. Contact claudia.westby@sth.nhs.uk, ext. 66001, who can
issue you with the numbers for the RHH bike shed locks on B Road. Other parking at Dental
School, Tree Root Walk and Jessop Wing.
Closest shower is on B Floor of the Medical School opposite the Heritage Room.
University cycle forum has loads of tips and advice for cyclists:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/cycleforum/index
For more info on bike security, maintenance, PayPlus for Bikes scheme:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/efm/property_business_services/transport/cycling
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Maps and Sheffield cycling information: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads/travel/cycling
Borrow the University folding pool bicycle for members of staff to get around on campus.
Did you know that staff can claim 12p/mile expenses for eligible work related travel?
Public Transport
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A FREE shuttle bus service operates between the main campus and the NGH site between
6am and 6pm. Timetables are posted on the Green Impact notice boards.
Monthly DISCOUNTED travel tickets for South Yorkshire bus, train and tram companies:
Estates & Facilities Management (EFM) Helpdesk, Wheeldon Street between 8.30am and
4.30pm. Tel: 0114-2229000, email: efmhelpdesk@sheffield.ac.uk
Park and Ride from Abbeydale Road Tesco to Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
http://www.shef.ac.uk/visitors/mapsandtravel
Car Travel
Cut costs and pollution - join the car sharing scheme.
http://www.shef.ac.uk/parkingservices/sharing
SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD
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Every fruit or vegetable has its season, the time of the year when you can enjoy it at its very
best. You can enjoy fruit and veg that tastes better, is better value and is better for the
planet:
www.eatseasonably.co.uk
South Yorkshire Country Markets: http://www.sycountrymarkets.co.uk/
http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/farmers-markets-c2281.html
USEFUL LINKS:
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http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/because
What is BeCause? The University of Sheffield take on corporate social responsibility is
straightforward: we're trying to make things better. Because we care about our community and the
world, we try to operate in a sustainable way, minimising our impact on the environment. We stand
up for equality and diversity. If we think carefully about the social and economic impact of our work,
we know we can make a difference.
Carbon Trust: http://www.carbontrust.com/resources/guides/energy-efficiency/employeeawareness-and-office-energy-efficiency
Love Food, Hate Waste: http://england.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
Fairtrade Foundation: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/
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GET IN TOUCH
Your suggestions and questions
If you would like to give suggestions and ideas about how we could become more “green” please
get in touch.
Please also let us know if you wish to be involved in the team or if you would like to develop a team
in your area.
For further information contact the departmental Green Impact Champion Orla Gallagher at
o.m.gallagher@sheffield.ac.uk
D & E Floor
Medical School
Child Health
Orla Gallagher, o.m.gallagher@sheffield.ac.uk, ext. 13337
Reproductive &
Developmental Medicine,
Jessop Wing
Sarah Elliott, s.elliott@sheffield.ac.uk, ext. 68348
Joanne O’Leary, j.oleary@shef.ac.uk, ext. 17303
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this information. We look forward to working
with you in order to ensure our environmental initiatives are successful.
March 2014