Think BIG, start small!

• A departmental environmental accreditation scheme with an awards element

• Modelled on the successful Sound Impact Awards for students’ unions nationally

• Based on simple practical actions that every department can do

• Supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, David Clarke

What is Green Impact?

The Green Impact Awards are an environmental initiative run by a consortium of interested parties led by the Energy and Environmental Management Unit, the

University of Bristol Union and NUS Services

EEMUEEMU

Purpose

Reducing the environmental impact of the University of Bristol during by

encouraging, rewarding and celebrating environmental good practice within

departments

• Open to all university departments regardless of their size

• Departments / divisions find their own level

• Any member of staff can lead on it for their department:

– Aimed at interested members of staff

– Needs to be completed in consultation with your colleagues

Aimed at departments

• Participating departments are given a digital workbook:– 20 Bronze; 15 Silver; 100 bonus criteria– To benchmark only need to respond to the 20

Bronze as a minimum; others are all optional– All closed criteria– Each based on practical actions identified through

a series of environmental audits and interviews– Each has a score of between 1 and 10

How does it work?

• Departments can work at their own pace and focus on areas of interest to them.

• Have until end of February 2009.

• Workshops will be offered to help participants go through the process

• EEMU will offer help and support, providing information, posters, stickers, etc

• Currently recruiting volunteer staff and student auditors

– Auditors will be trained

– See me at the end if you are interested

• All participating departments will be audited

• Standards finalised…

• The efforts of all participating departments will be recognised

– Working towards accreditation

– Bronze standard = all 20 Bronze criteria

– Silver standard = all 20 Bronze, 15 Silver plus 150 bonus points

– Gold award = top 3 scoring departments

What can we achieve?

• 03 November 2008 Workbook launched• 19 December 2008 Sign-up closes• 27 February 2009 Workbook deadline• March 2009 Audits • April 2009 Feedback provided• April/May Awards ceremony

Timeline

Why take part?• Benchmarks how green your department is • Provides a framework for greening your department • To gain recognition for the environmental actions the

department is already taking• Motivate staff and students• The opportunity to achieve! • Continual improvement…

Green our University!

Bronze criteria

Bronze criteria

• 20 Bronze criteria

• Practical actions we can all do

• and/or, and Either… or…

• Constructive, supportive, inclusive

• Working Towards and Benchmarking

• Workbook out next week

There is clear guidance on how staff can double-side print posted within readable distance of each photocopier.

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Reducing wasteB.001

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The waste hierarchy* states that you should always try to reduce the amount of waste material you generate in preference to reusing it or recycling it.

There is clear guidance on how staff can double-side print posted within readable distance of each photocopier.

View each photocopier.

Evaluation

Score

Why are we asking, and what help is available?

Criteria

The department sends all of its used printer and/or toner cartridges to a charitable reuse scheme and keeps a log of the numbers and dates sent.

Reusing wasteB.002

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Many charities, such as Action Aid, raise money by collecting used printer and toner cartridges for reuse schemes. All departments can send their used cartridges to Action Aid by putting them in their original boxes and sending them via internal mail to Senate House Porters. www.recyclingappeal.com/actionaid/.

The department sends all of its used printer and/or toner cartridges to a charitable reuse scheme and keeps a log of the numbers and dates sent.

Speak to staff responsible for collecting the cartridges. View log of numbers dispatched.

The department has a scheme in place to collect used postage stamps from staff, and students if applicable, and donates them to a charitable reuse scheme.

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Many charities, such as the RSPB, raise money by collecting used postage stamps for resale to stamp dealers. Used overseas postage stamps are worth around four times more to charities than UK or mixed UK and overseas stamps. All departments can send their used postage stamps to the RSPB by putting them in the internal mail to the Senate House Porters. www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/support.asp.

The department has a scheme in place to collect used postage stamps from staff, and students if applicable, and donates them to a charitable reuse scheme.

View collection point.

Recycling wasteB.004

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Blue paper recycling bins can be requested by emailing environment-office@bristol.ac.uk. The bins will be emptied by Site Services.

It is recommended that: • There is at least one blue bin per office; • In open plan offices there is at least one blue bin per five desk-based members of staff; • There are blue bins by each photocopier and networked printer.

There are enough blue paper recycling bins throughout the department for all staff to easily recycle their waste paper.

Tour department and check that there are enough blue bins for all staff to easily recycle their waste paper. Use ratios in the box to the left as a guide.

There are enough blue paper recycling bins throughout the department for all staff to easily recycle their waste paper.

Within the last 6 months all departmental staff have been reminded how they can recycle batteries, including reference to the location of their building battery bin.

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Battery recycling bins can be requested from environment-office@bristol.ac.uk. There should be one bin per building rather than per department. The bins will be emptied by the Energy and Environmental Management Unit.

For a list of sites with battery bins visit www.bris.ac.uk/environment/safe/location-of-battery-collection-facilities.pdf.

Within the last 6 months all departmental staff have been reminded how they can recycle batteries, including reference to the location of their building battery bin.

View recycling area. Check it is well-labelled. Check that the reminder includes reference to the location of the battery bin.

Electricity - AwarenessB.006

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Don't be fooled by myths about fluorescent lighting - it is good practice to switch off office lights if the room is going to be empty for five minutes or more.

Lights in staff kitchens and single-occupancy washrooms should be switched off when the rooms are empty. For corridors and stairwells consider health and safety before putting up switch off stickers and posters.

Free stickers and posters can be ordered from the Carbon Trust *. www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/staffawarenessposters.htm.

The department has energy-awareness stickers and posters in place in the majority of offices and communal facilities encouraging staff to switch off lights and/or equipment when not needed.

Tour offices and communal facilities to view stickers and posters. Communal areas to include staff kitchens, common rooms and single-occupancy washrooms. Note that some listed buildings will be exempt from this criteria..

The department has energy-awareness stickers and posters in place in the majority of offices and communal facilities encouraging staff to switch off lights and/or equipment when not needed.

Either the department does not have any portable or fixed air conditioning or, if it does, within the last 12 months it has proactively taken action to ensure that the doors and windows in all air conditioned rooms are kept closed when the air conditioning is on.

Electricity - Air conditioningB.007

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Air conditioned rooms should be treated as fridges - all doors and windows should be shut to prevent the chilled air from flowing out. If the chilled air can flow out the units will work harder and use more energy as they attempt to meet their target temperatures.

Either the department does not have any portable or fixed air conditioning or , if it does, within the last 12 months it has proactively taken action to ensure that the doors and windows in all air conditioned rooms are kept closed when the air conditioning is on.

Evidence could include emails or notices, or speaking to members of staff responsible for individual rooms. View rooms to ensure compliant on the day.

All banks of three or more light switches within the department have been labelled to identify which lights each switch operates.

Electricity - LightingB.008

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It is good practice to label banks of light switches so staff and visitors know which switches to turn on, rather than switching them all on.

All banks of three or more light switches within the department have been labelled to identify which lights each switch operates.

View banks of light switches and ensure each is correctly labelled.

Either the department does not have any tungsten filament bulbs* in ceiling or wall lights or, if it does, replacements have been requested through the EEMU.

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The Energy and Environmental Management Unit (EEMU) has a programme to replace tungsten filament bulbs * with compact fluorescent (energy efficient) bulbs * - departments can apply for lighting replacements by contacting environment-office@bristol.ac.uk.

Either the department does not have any tungsten filament bulbs* in ceiling or wall lights or , if it does, replacements have been requested through the EEMU.

Walk around department and look for tungsten filament bulbs* in ceiling or wall lights. If tungsten filament bulbs* are found contact the EEMU to check that the replacement work has been booked in.

Electricity - Switching offB.010

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Some of the most efficient departments are those that have formally assigned a clear responsibility to specific individuals to ensure that lighting and equipment is not left on unnecessarily. This is especially useful for communal areas and important for major energy users such as air conditioning and fume cupboards.

A specimen lighting and equipment responsibility plan* can be downloaded from www.bristol.ac.uk/environment/green_impact.

The department has an up-to-date written lighting and equipment responsibility plan* covering all the main areas and key equipment within the department and the plan is embedded within the roles of operational staff.

A dated document outlining who is responsible for switching off lighting and equipment in specified areas. Interviews with staff to ensure it is embedded.

The department has an up-to-date written lighting and equipment responsibility plan* covering all the main areas and key equipment within the department and the plan is embedded within the roles of operational staff.

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It is good practice to develop a shut-down checklist for vacations to ensure that equipment that is usually on when the department is open (such as photo copiers, vending machines, ventilation equipment and heating) is not left on unnecessarily. Out of hours the University still uses half of the energy it uses on its busiest day.

A specimen shut-down checklist for vacations can be downloaded from www.bristol.ac.uk/environment/green_impact.

The department has a comprehensive shut-down checklist for vacations to ensure all non-essential equipment and services are not wasting energy.

A dated document outlining which equipment is to be switched off prior to each vacation, and who is responsible for ensuring it is switched off. Interviews with key staff.

The department has a comprehensive shut-down checklist for vacations to ensure all non-essential equipment and services are not wasting energy.

HeatingB.012

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Energy is often wasted by unnecessarily heating predominantly unused areas such as stock rooms, store rooms, corridors. Note that if turning down radiators thermostatic radiator valves should be put onto the frost settings rather than fully switched off to provide some frost protection.

Energy is often wasted by heating work spaces above the recommended temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The Energy and Environmental Management Unit (EEMU) gives out free awareness-raising wall thermometers to help staff identify whether they are overeating their work spaces. Order yours by emailing environment-office@bristol.ac.uk.

Any problems with heating should be reported to Estates via university-building-services@bristol.ac.uk or calling 89898.

The department has carried out a basic survey to identify any areas that might be being heated unnecessarily or overheated and taken action to save energy as required.

1) View survey findings. 2) Tour the department and look for additional areas being heated unnecessarily or overheated.

The department has carried out a basic survey to identify any areas that might be being heated unnecessarily or overheated and taken action to save energy as required.

The department proactively advises the majority of external visitors for meetings, and if applicable students for lectures, how they can get to the department via public transport, walking, or cycling.

TravelB.013

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Departments are encouraged to promote sustainable transport to visitors.

The department proactively advises the majority of external visitors for meetings, and if applicable students for lectures, how they can get to the department via public transport, walking, or cycling.

Examples include emails to visitors pointing them to the University's travel webpage. This could be through a standard note added as part of email signatures. Also Information or links on the department's webpage. Interviews with staff.

All plain A4 white copier paper bought by the department meets at least one of the following: • Made from 100% recycled paper;• Made from NAPM* accredited recycled paper;• Made from pulp from certified sustainable sources*.

NB: 'Premier's 'Earth' brand is often thought to be made from recycled paper but is actually made from fibres from North American forests and therefore does not count towards this criterion.

ProcurementB.014

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Buying paper products made from recycled paper ensures that there is less need for commercial environmentally-damaging forestry and helps increase the demand for recycling.

All plain A4 white copier paper bought by the department meets at least one of the following: • Made from 100% recycled paper;• Made from NAPM* accredited recycled paper;• Made from pulp from certified sustainable sources*.

NB: 'Premier's 'Earth' brand is often thought to be made from recycled paper but is actually made from fibres from North American forests and therefore does not count towards this criterion.

View paper in stationary store. Examine invoices or delivery notes.

Tap water is provided for the majority of departmental meetings instead of bottled water.

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Many departments provide bottled mineral water for meetings. Bottled mineral water has a substantially greater carbon footprint * than tap water.

Tap water is provided for the majority of departmental meetings instead of bottled water.

Interview a cross-section of staff. Look in meeting rooms.

Either the department does not buy any tea or coffee for consumption at internal meetings or, if it does, it is all Fairtrade*.

NB: This criterion does not refer to tea and coffee ordered through The Hawthorns or bought by individuals, or groups of individuals, for personal consumption.

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Fairtrade* products guarantee a fixed price for some of the lowest paid farmers in the developing world. There is also a fixed community premium that goes towards community development projects.

Either the department does not buy any tea or coffee for consumption at internal meetings or , if it does, it is all Fairtrade *.

NB: This criterion does not refer to tea and coffee ordered through The Hawthorns or bought by individuals, or groups of individuals, for personal consumption.

Look in kitchen areas and meeting rooms.

Greening teams, action plans and resultsB.017

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As part of the Green Impact Awards the Energy and Environmental Management Unit (EEMU) has set up a voluntary environmental championing scheme.

The environmental champions are volunteers and can do as much or as little as they like. They will have a motivational role, disseminating information about Green Impact, raising awareness and encouraging staff to do their bit.

Anyone can be an environmental champion - the only requirements are an enthusiasm for the environment and a willingness to encourage others to get involved.

The department has one or more member of staff registered as a formal departmental environmental champion for the current academic year. For large departments there should be one champion registered per 60 members of staff.

Please ensure they have submitted their contact details via the form on www.bris.ac.uk/environment/forms/gia-echampion.html . Upon submission the EEMU will make contact with the champion to offer support.

For more information please contact environment-office@bristol.ac.uk .

Contact EEMU and obtain list.

The department has one or more member of staff registered as a formal departmental environmental champion for the current academic year. For large departments there should be one champion registered per 60 members of staff.

Please ensure they have submitted their contact details via the form on www.bris.ac.uk/environment/forms/gia-echampion.html. Upon submission the EEMU will make contact with the champion to offer support.

The department has identified, ranked and documented what it believes are its five most significant negative environmental impacts*.

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Every department causes negative environmental impacts*. The most significant impacts will depend on what the department does but may include energy use in its offices, production of chemical wastes, air travel by staff, car travel by visitors visiting the department, the printing of publications and the associated use of energy, paper and oil for inks, etc.

The department has identified, ranked and documented what it believes are its five most significant negative environmental impacts* .

Examine list and cross-reference against observations form tour of department.

B.019

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Every department can take action to reduce its negative environmental impacts* . This could include any of the actions suggested in this workbook or could be department-specific issues such as asking Estates to fix or upgrade draughty windows; training staff on the importance of keeping fume cupboard sashes closed when not in use; reusing envelopes in administrative departments.

The department has identified and documented its ten main greening opportunities. These should address some or all of the department's five most significant negative environmental impacts* (see B.018). These can be opportunities that the department can do itself and/or opportunities for Estates in relation to building infrastructure.

Also see C.102.

Examine list and cross-reference against the five most significant negative environmental impacts * listed for B.018.

The department has identified and documented its ten main greening opportunities. These should address some or all of the department's five most significant negative environmental impacts* (see B.018). These can be opportunities that the department can do itself and/or opportunities for Estates in relation to building infrastructure.

All new staff are formally inducted on relevant environmental issues within their role.

Departmental embedding and communicationsB.020

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Encouraging new staff to do their bit right from the start will help to ensure that environmental initiatives are successful. This could include recycling policy and procedures, individual responsibility for conserving energy, how to duplex* print, environmental-friendly travel schemes and policies, switching off appliances, etc. .

All new staff are formally inducted on relevant environmental issues within their role.

Evidence could include a staff handbook; staff induction checklist or equivalent; interviews with new staff.

www.bristol.ac.uk/environment/green_impact/

green-impact-awards@bristol.ac.uk

0117 331 7235 (internal x17235)

Contacts