Sustainability FAQs

Will Bangor University be banning meat products from being sold on campus?

The University does not intend to institute a ban on meat or dairy products on campus. In response to customer demand, we have increased our provision of vegetarian and vegan options (hot meals and sandwiches/salads etc.) and have redesigned menus to list these options first to enable consumer choice. The Sustainable Food Policy is being updated; the existing version is available here.

The University addresses Sustainability in the context of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015, aiming to balance environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations when making decisions. Livestock farming is a big part of life in Gwynedd and neighbouring counties. Banning red meat could have a negative effect on the local economy, culture and language. There could be other unintended consequences such as a negative effect on the health and well-being of local farmers and their families, who will already be facing Brexit-related challenges.

Local meat is procured for special events, at client request and for some catering outlets, but large-scale purchasing is subject to public procurement regulations.

Will Bangor University be banning the sale/use of single use plastics on campus?

Bangor University has chosen to take a more measured approach to the use of plastics on campus, rather than banning single-use items. More information can be found here.

The “Think Before You Drink” campaign also aims to reduce the use of disposable/single-use items by encourages students and staff to make use of reusable options in University catering outlets, therefore reducing single-use items.

Does Bangor University have investments in fossil fuels?

Bangor University does not have any direct investments in extractive fossil fuels and has not had any such investments since 2016. With the assistance of our portfolio managers, Bangor University implements a strict set of ethical and sustainability criteria when assessing our investments. As a result of these strict criteria, it is extremely unlikely that a company involved in fossil fuels will pass the screening process to be included within our investment portfolio. The University’s Sustainable Investment Policy can be found here.

Can Bangor University expand wildflower areas to promote biodiversity on campus?

Bangor University has a target to expand wildflower areas across campus. The Grounds and Gardens team, along with our experts at Treborth Botanic Garden, are working to identify suitable areas and the most appropriate seed mixes and management regimes to ensure any new wildflower areas thrive.

How do revolving doors save energy?

Revolving doors save energy as they prevent the loss of large amounts of heat from inside a building. A revolving door is a bit like an airlock, they are designed to ensure there is never a direct opening between the inside of a building and the outside. Whilst revolving doors do save energy by preventing heat loss, they may sometimes be “out of action” for safety reasons, such as in high winds.

Why does Bangor University provide single-use coffee cups?

The University provides single-use takeaway coffee cups for customers who do not have a reusable cup. If the University were to ban single-use coffee cups we would exclude those who do not have reusable cups from being able to purchase drinks at University outlets. Reusable coffee cups and water bottles are available to purchase from the University. When purchasing a new reusable coffee cup, you can get your first tea or coffee for free and then receive and 20p discount on every cup of tea/coffee you purchase in the reusable cup after that.

What is Bangor University doing about the sustainability of promotional “freebies”?

We are working with departments internally within the University to help them think about the sustainability of the promotional items they give out at events.

Undeb have their own Sustainable Procurement Policy which includes guidance for stall holders at Undeb events like Serendipity, regarding sustainability and promotional “freebies”.

What is Bangor University doing about period poverty?

Undeb Bangor have taken a lead on addressing period poverty at the University. Free sanitary supplies are available in many toilets around the campus.

Where does rubbish and recycling from Bangor University go?

Our principal waste contractor is Gwynedd Council, who collect our dry recycling, food waste and general waste. Food waste collected from the University is taken for Anaerobic Digestion, a process which creates energy and bio-fertiliser. More information about Anaerobic Digestion can be found here. The general waste collected from the University is sent to an Energy-from-Waste facility.

Further information about how Gwynedd Council handles the waste it collects can be found here.

Has Bangor University declared a Climate Emergency?

Bangor University officially declared a Climate Emergency on 21st June 2019.

Has Bangor University set a target date for being carbon neutral?

Yes, in June 2020 the University set a target to be net zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon by 2030.