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We can dramatically reduce the waste we produce and the energy we consume by changing a few simple actions we take every single day. Learn some facts and a few easy changes you can start making to have a big impact over time.

Waste reduction

  • Based on a 2019 waste audit, 99.8% of waste disposed of in our general waste bins are recyclable. Think about the items you throw away and use the numerous recycling facilities across campus.
  • Refrain from using disposable cups for your drinks. Bring in a cup/mug from home; this will save waste and you may be eligible for a discount off your beverage cost.
  • Rather than buying bottled water and having to dispose the empty bottle, get a re-useable water bottle instead.
  • Try to avoid buying food which comes with lots of disposable packaging and consider bringing in your own food with re-usable containers. The Refectory containers can all be disposed of in our organic waste bins.
  • Check out the Love Food Hate Waste website for tips on how reduce food waste.
  • Use double sided printing or print to a networked photocopier whenever possible.
  • Use “print preview” to arrange print to fit the page, as well as reduce margins and font size to maximise the use of your paper.
  • Use email wherever possible and only print if essential.

Heating and cooling

  • A 1°C rise in room temperature can increase your heating bill by 8-10%.
  • Windows lose up to 40% of the winter warmth and gain 50% of the summer heat.
  • The ideal office temperature is between 18 and 20°C.
  • The room will not heat up faster if the thermostat is set higher than needed. Instead, it just wastes energy.

Lighting

  • Avoid unnecessary lighting, like in an empty room or when there is enough sunlight.
  • If your office has zoned lighting, make use of this by lighting only the areas of the office you are working in.
  • Take advantage of natural lighting, which has associated benefits on wellbeing.
  • Make sure lights are switched off at the end of the day.

Equipment

  • ‘Stand-by’ is an energy-inefficient mode.
  • Where equipment is used infrequently throughout the day or week, remember to switch off at the wall to reduce the electrical load.
  • Screen savers do not save energy. Change the power settings on your computer are set to turn the display off rather than simply switch to a screen saver.
  • Chargers left turned on at the wall still consume a small amount of electricity, even if they’re not charging anything.

Contact us

Questions about sustainability at the UC or want to explore your role in a sustainable future?

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UC acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where Bruce campus is situated. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region. We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather.