Student Union Sustainability Policy
This Union notes:
- The 10,000 plus members of Bangor University Students' Union have a significant impact on the local and global environments.
- Climate change and biodiversity loss are increasingly costly and detrimental to all human societies. (BBC, 2010)
This Union Believes:
- 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.
- Many students are beginning their independent lives and University should help them form life-long good environmental habits as part of their wider education
- 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:
- To actively lobby the University to improve its environmental credentials to meet the highest standards possible.
- 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.