About Us
Sustainability
Sustainability lies within the heart of Arts University Plymouth.
At Arts University Plymouth, we recognise sustainability as a core principle in everything we deliver, and we are committed to continually improving our environmental performance.
<p>We are working towards being net carbon zero. Our sustainability initiatives include moving to a 100% carbon-neutral electricity tariff that has significantly reduced our carbon footprint. The university is replacing old, inefficient lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting throughout our estate and installing solar PV installations to generate electricity. We have increased wall and roof insulation to reduce the amount of energy used to heat the buildings, and replaced single pane windows on campus with double glazing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We are continually increasing our green spaces and biodiversity across our campuses and developed the Contemplative Garden during Summer 2021 and a subtropical garden in Summer 2022. In 2024 our Palace Court campus will have a new planting scheme, which will focus on bees, butterflies and biodiversity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sustainability and looking after our world and its resources is embedded within our curriculum. Students are empowered to develop practices that reflect this, so they can take their learning into the workplace or their own businesses when they graduate.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We were thrilled to be shortlisted for <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-shortlisted-for-company-of-the-year-in-the-national-sustainability-awards">Company of the Year and for the Facilities Management Award in the National Sustainability Awards 2022</a>!</p>
<p dir="ltr"> <a href="https://aup.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/files/Main-menu/Sustainability/Arts-University-Plymouth-Environmental-Policy-Statement-June-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><br />Read our Environmental and Sustainability Policy.</a> <br /></p>
<ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Having an active Sustainability Policy, which sets out our sustainability goals.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"> Free creative sustainability workshops that students can get involved in through Smart Citizen events run by Fab Lab South West, or through our partners at Green Minds.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Being registered with Plastic Free Plymouth, an initiative aimed at providing a comprehensive listing of organisations that are making efforts to reduce their plastic use.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">A 25kW solar pV system installed on our Charles Cross roof, generating over 15,500 kW of electricity annually, further reducing our carbon emissions.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Implementing building fabric improvements to ensure each creative space is thermally insulated, and requires less heat to keep the buildings warm.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Installing an electric-powered furnace for our glass workshop, reducing our emissions compared to gas-powered furnaces.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Recycling over one third of all our waste.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Recycling all food waste from the canteen.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">A vape recycling bin on site allows for safe recycling of ‘disposable’ vapes.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">A vehicle fleet that is 50% electric.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Using local contractors to support local livelihoods and reduce travel mileage.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Sourcing locally produced food for our canteen meals.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Improving and promoting the daily vegan and vegetarian meal options available.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Free bicycle services during Student Sustainability Week.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Partnering with Plymouth City Council to have six e-bikes stationed outside our Tavistock Place campus.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Frequent second-hand and upcycled clothing sales and workshops.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Making our printed prospectus materials for all study levels fully recyclable, and printing fewer of them to reduce waste.</p></li></ul>
Students from our Pre-Degree & Sixth Form campus get immersed in nature at Poole Farm Plymouth, in partnership with Green Minds.
<p>We've partnered with several local and national organisations to highlight and share resources to improve sustainability, not only on campus but across our city too. Explore them below.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/research/supported-projects/green-minds">Green Minds</a></li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/research/supported-projects/smart-citizens-programme-scp">Smart Citizens Programme</a>. Explore <a href="https://smartcitizen.me/kits/14699" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the results of the Environmental Data Kits</a> active across Plymouth.</li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/resources/fab-lab">Fab Lab South West</a> (formerly Fab Lab Plymouth)</li><li><a href="https://plasticfree.plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com/directory/arts-university-plymouth/">Plymouth Plastic Free Directory</a></li><li><a href="https://www.eauc.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The alliance for sustainability leadership in education (EAUC)</a>. EAUC aims to inspire, promote, and support change towards best practice sustainability within the operations, curriculum, and research of the UK Further and Higher education sector. As the sustainability champion for universities and colleges in the UK, EAUC positions sustainability at the heart of each member institution’s core strategy, and can help our institution to achieve our sustainability commitments. EAUC Membership has no limits on numbers, which means that all staff, students and student representatives at Arts University Plymouth can create accounts with EAUC. To join, click <a href="https://www.eauc.org.uk/members/choose_subscription.php?type=institution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> and select Arts University Plymouth from the drop down list. <br /> </li></ul>
