Environmental aspects and Impacts of The Students’ Union
Queen Margaret University
(December 2011)
The Students’ Union, Queen Margaret University acknowledges the environmental aspects and impacts of its activities. Its
commitment to conduct its business with ecologic and ethical consideration has been reinforced with the adoption of a Sustainable
policy on 24th November 2011.
The following table outlines the main environmental aspects and impacts of The Students’ Union. It also draws main actions that
have been pursued since the opening of the new building (4th March 2008) and new actions to be implemented to reinforce the
Union’s position on sustainability. Actions will be reviewed on a yearly basis.
ASPECTS
Energy Consumption
-
IMPACTS
Natural resources depletion (fossil fuel,
water)
Increased emissions of CO2 and air
pollution
Contribute to Climate change
ACTIONS
Actions in place
- New energy efficient technologies (IT
system, lighting fixtures, water savings
device to urinals) in new building
- Lighting and equipment responsibility
plans (office and bar)
- Shutdown procedure for vacations both in
bar and offices
Actions to implement
- Raising energy saving awareness
amongst staff and student (inductions,
posters, stickers)
- Encouraging the university to adopt a
minimum efficiency specification list for
equipment and appliances
Waste and Recycling
Disposal to landfill of non recycled refuse:
- Environmental damage (air pollution and
land degradation)
- Contribute to climate change
Use of non recycled material(e.g. paper)
Actions in place
- Waste Reduction Action Plan
- Reuse and Recycling scheme: paper,
glass, cardboards, cans, plastics,
cartridges;
Travel
(staff and members)
-
Increased energy consumption
(production process)
-
Natural resources depletion (fossil fuel)
Increased emissions of CO2 and air
pollution
Contribute to Climate change
-
Actions to implement
- Encouraging staff to use recycling scheme
when at work
- Raising student awareness on waste
impact and recycling schemes
- Encouraging staff to reduce printing
- Encouraging students and staff to use re
usable cups instead of take away cups
Actions in place
- Green Travel Plan (restricted and paid car
parking)
- Students, staff and visitors encouraged to
use public transport and shared private
cars for business
Actions to implement
- Raising awareness on cycling path in Mid
Lothian and East Lothian
Procurement
(Purchase of new
equipment and
consumable for the office
and catering)
Energy usage for manufacture, delivery and Actions to implement
storage
- Developing responsible or sustainable
- Resource depletion
procurement of goods as often as possible
- Contribution to Climate Change
- Café service (tea, coffee, hot chocolate)
- Air pollution
moving to a full fair trade service
Supply chain issues:
- Production
of
waste
and
landfill
degradation
- Habitat destruction
- Workforce welfare
- Animal welfare
- Support of unethical trading practice
Packaging:
- Resource depletion
- Deforestation
-
Engagement with
members
Volatile organic compounds
Lack of environmental and ethics awareness:
- Contribute to Climate change
- Air Pollution
- Landfill degradation
- Support of unethical trading practices
- Resource depletion
- Deforestation
- Habitat destruction
Actions in place:
- Enter the Green Impact Award Scheme
(2011-2012)
- Environmental and Ethics Officer (since
June 2008)
- Working continually with the University to
maintain the Fair Trade status
- Support the University Allotment group
- Encourage students to set up
Environmental and Ethics societies e.g.
Amnesty International
Actions to implement
- Raising awareness to students on
sustainability issues
- Supporting the set up of a People and
Planet Society
- Continuing lobby actions to the University