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Student Union Sustainability Policy

This Union notes:

  1. The 10,000 plus members of Bangor University Students' Union have a significant impact on the local and global environments.
  2. Climate change and biodiversity loss are increasingly costly and detrimental to all human societies. (BBC, 2010)

This Union Believes:

  1. It is our duty to protect the environment for future generations and therefore the principles of sustainability should be at the heart of all relevant Union policy.
  2. Many students are beginning their independent lives and University should help them form life-long good environmental habits as part of their wider education
  3. Bangor University Students' Union can play a pivotal role in encouraging sustainable living amongst students by promoting issues such as:
  • Energy and water conservation
  • The reduction, re-use and recycling of wastes
  • Sustainable travel,
  • Sustainable, ethical purchasing habits
  • Student involvement in practical environmental projects
  • Consumption reduction

This Union Resolves:

  1. To actively lobby the University to improve its environmental credentials to meet the highest standards possible.
  2. To continue to:
  • Procure 100% recycled paper
  • Strive to obtain all products from the most sustainable and ethical sources possible
  • Comply with all relevant environmental legislation
  • Work with the University to ensure the Pontio development meets the highest environmental standards possible
  • Improve and maintain the Environment & Sustainability pages on the SU web site.
  • Work with the University's Environmental Manager to improve the University's environmental performance and respond to students' needs, ideas and access in terms of encouraging sustainability
  • Raise awareness to Students and Staff the importance of leading a more sustainable lifestyle
  • Utilise re-useable ceramic mugs over disposable plastic or polystyrene cups.
  • Contribute to, and raise awareness of the University's Environmental Management System

3.To reduce its own consumption, re-use products and recycle waste wherever possible by: Ensuring electrical equipment, lighting, water boilers and heaters are turned off in SU building(s) when unused. This can be done by developing and implementing formal corporate operational shutdown procedures

  • Making sure energy efficiency is considered during any new procurements or redevelopments of SU building(s). Ultimately, any savings made through energy-efficiency initiatives should be re-invested in further efficiency projects
  • Considering whether a purchase is truly necessary, as well as preferentially purchasing products with the least negative / most positive impact
  • Prohibiting domestic air travel by Sabbs and SU staff members on Union business as a leading example, encouraging Bangor Students not to fly domestically when more sustainable transport alternatives exist

4. To embed sustainability in the Student Union's procurement practices even more by:

  • Actively sourcing any timber products (eg. Furniture) from certified sustainable sources
  • Promoting the use of Fairtrade clothing as an option to Clubs & Societies where appropriate
  • Leading by example and utilising Fairtrade clothing for Sabbatical clothing

5. To assist and encourage students to live more sustainably by: Promoting any environmental events run by Societies etc

  • Producing and distributing an 'environmental living' leaflet to students during Serendipity, Welcome Week etc.
  • Promoting relevant campaigns and organisations such as 'Love Food Hate Waste' and Student Carshare
  • Promoting local groups such as Freecycle, Freegle and the Bangor Fruit and Veg Co-op.