Green Impact
Welcome to the Registrar’s Office.
Queen’s is committed to improving its environmental performance and is working towards
achieving a 21% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. Fifty percent of Queen’s carbon
emissions are under the direct control of the end user, so staff and students have a key role to
play in helping the University achieve its target.
To ensure that we play our part, the Registrar’s Office is participating in the Green Impact
Scheme. Green Impact aims to empower individuals and departments to reduce their
environmental impact by encouraging, rewarding and celebrating practical sustainable
improvements.
By taking part in the Green Impact programme we will be working towards achieving the
following aims:

Reducing waste and increasing recycling

Increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions

Increasing sustainable procurement

Increasing sustainable transport

Improving communication relating to sustainability
We have implemented a number of actions to ensure that we do what we can to reduce our
environmental impact. This document outlines these actions and it aims to offer tips and advice
on how staff can contribute to reducing the Office’s carbon impact.
February 2015
Green Impact
Reducing Energy
All staff should ensure that the following steps are taken to reduce energy use on a day-to-day
basis:

Switch off your pc monitor when leaving your desk - Monitors usually use more energy
than the computer itself.

Switch off lights and office equipment when not in use or
when leaving an empty room - Office lights account for 60
per cent of energy use in an office.


Switch off lights when there is sufficient natural lighting.
Don't leave appliances on standby. Make sure all appliances are switched off at the
plug.

Take responsibility to switch off shared electrical equipment overnight.

Don’t leave mobile phones on charge unnecessarily.

Turn thermostats down (including thermostatic radiator valves).

When the heating is on, make sure the windows are shut.

Wear additional clothing, close windows or speak to the Building Liaison Office
regarding the temperature in your room to avoid using personal electric heaters.

When visiting other offices take the stairs, not the lift.

Staff should be aware that heating should be set to a maximum of 19/21C and cooling
should be set to a minimum of 24C – place a thermometer in your room to check the
temperature then adjust accordingly.
February 2015
Green Impact
Reducing Waste
The University is committed to reducing waste and the University’s Waste Policy encourages all
staff to apply the ‘Waste Hierarchy’ as far as possible: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. When applying
the policy in the Registrar’s Office please:

Think Before you Print – Only print when you really need to.

Print double sided where possible.

When printing large volumes always check the correct number required for the meeting.

Use scrap paper printed only on one side for taking notes instead of new sheets

Use reusable cups or glasses instead of plastic cups

Increase recycling by using the recycling facilities available throughout the University for:


Paper and Cardboard

Plastics

Cans and Glass

Ink and Toner Cartridges

Envelopes
Recycling arrangements for the Registrar’s Office are:
 Cardboard - If cardboard is thinner than cereal packet card it can go into the paper
recycling sack. If it is thicker, please flatten and stack neatly at the designated
cardboard collection point in the General Office.
 Paper - All paper should be disposed of in the confidential paper recycling sack in the
General Office. Post-it notes, newspapers, envelopes can all be placed in the sacks.
 Batteries – Place all used batteries in the battery recycling tray in the General Office.
 Plastics, metal cans and glass should all be placed in the appropriate recycling
bins in the General Office.
 All general waste should be placed in the desk-top bins provided and emptied into
the general waste bins at the end of each day. Desk top bins are not emptied by the
Cleaners so please ensure you take responsibility to empty this prior to leaving the
office.
February 2015
Green Impact
Transport Tips
The University has a Travel Plan in place which promotes a range of options as alternatives to
single occupancy car journeys:

Car-share to and from work or study with a colleague or friend – register for the
University Car Sharing Scheme to find others interested in car sharing from your local
area.

Use Public Transport - Check out the University Travel
Guide and find out where your nearest bus stop or train
station is. Apply for a Translink Annual Travel Commuter
card here.

Get on your bike and cycle to work. For further information on the University cycling
scheme and facilities, click here.

If you do travel by car, check out these tips to find out how you can still reduce your
carbon emissions.

Compare CO2 emissions from different types of travel here.
Purchasing Tips

The University is an accredited Fair Trade University and has implemented a Green
Purchasing Policy. All staff should consult the University
Green Buyers Guide for advice and guidance on how to green
your Purchasing choices, including:
 Buy recycled paper and other stationary products.
 Consider the whole life cost of an item to determine whether it's more costeffective to invest in a more expensive product initially, in order to reduce costs
in the long-run.
 When purchasing electrical equipment, purchase energy-efficient equipment with
an energy rating of A or higher, and office equipment showing the 'Energy Star'
logo.
 Arrange the removal of reusable packaging by suppliers.
February 2015
Green Impact
As well as being cheaper to run, energy-saving products use less energy and therefore have
less of an environmental impact. For these items of equipment, there are three energy labelling
schemes which staff should look out for:
Energy Star
Office Equipment, such as computers, monitors, printers and photocopiers
that have earned the ENERGY STAR help eliminate wasted energy
through special energy-efficient designs. They use less energy to perform
regular tasks, and when not in use, automatically enter a low-power mode.
When purchasing, please therefore specify Energy Star rated office
equipment.
Energy Saving Recommended Logo
This logo was developed to help you identify the most
energy efficient products. These products cost less to run
because they use less energy to do the same job than
inefficient ones.
If you see the logo, it means the goods are amongst the most energy efficient you can buy as
they have met strict efficiency criteria. Only the most energy efficient products will carry the
Energy Saving Recommended logo making it a quick and easy way for you to identify the most
energy efficient products in the category. So when you are purchasing a new product, all you
need to remember is to look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo.
The EU energy label
The EU energy label rates products from A, (the most efficient) to G
(the least efficient). For refrigeration, the EU energy label goes up to
A++. When considering the purchase of such appliances, ideally, those
with A+ or A++ should be considered,
February 2015