Close
We're working towards improving its environmental sustainability by using less, re-using more and recycling where possible. We aim to consider our environmental impact in all areas of our work
- Environmental Policy
It is the policy of the UCL Department of Geography to conduct its business ethically and fairly, and in an environmentally sustainable manner, in accordance with the UCL Environmental Sustainability policy. Accordingly, members of the Department will endeavour to:
- Reduce energy use
- Reduce water use
- Minimise waste
- Purchase ethically and sustainably
- Identify and manage risks
These actions will be carried out in the manner laid down in the Department’s Arrangements for Environmental Management.
Our interactive guides will take you through some of the actions we're taking to make our Department more environmentally friendly.
- Structure
- Head of Department - Professor Jason Dittmer
- Green Champion - Miles Irving
- Environmental Risk Assessments
Environmental Risk Assessments are currently being carried out as part of the Health and Safety Risk Assessments. Ultimately the Department will be encouraging separate Environmental Risk Assessments to be completed for all aspects of work.
Information and Resources
Arrangements for Environmental Management
For anything not covered in this section please speak to your Green Champion or Environment Officer.
- Recycling
UCL operates a two-bin system across the estate for mixed waste and food waste:
- Food waste should be disposed of in a caddy or bin with a RED bin liner
- All other general waste (paper, plastic, card, glass, etc) should be placed in a bin with a CLEAR bin liner.
This waste is sorted after collection and recyclables are separated out by the contracted waste handler. These waste streams are the same for both communal areas (e.g. department kitchen / common room) and offices. Please do not put Hazardous Waste or Sharps in these bins.
Batteries can be recycled in the Battery Bins located in the North-West Wing Main Hallway and Bedford Way Foyer.
Any unwanted UCL-purchased computer equipment can be left with your Green Champion, including, mice, corded telephones and keyboards (some of which are donated to the UCL Creche).
Toner and Ink Cartridges are collected by the Drawing Office and recycled via UCL Estates, though with the new UCLPrint system this may be phased out. They are sent for processing through the 'Each One Counts' scheme.
Used Postage stamps are collected for the Charity "Hearing Dogs" and collection boxes are located in Departmental Post Rooms.
- Minimising Waste
Ways to reduce waste
Junk mail (Postal)
So Much unwanted mail is simply binned. Take your name off the catalogue or journal lists. It’s easy – either phone them up and ask to be removed or simply stick a ‘return to sender’ label on your unwanted mail and put it in the external mailbox.
This will reduce the amount of waste generated by UCL, Save UCL post room staff and Geography office staff from having to carry and sort unwanted mail. Stickers can be found in Geography Postrooms
Scrap Paper
We all print things out, that once read we no longer need, proofs of a paper or diagram. Obviously, we should all try and print less, use double-sided and where possible make handouts available via Moodle. But there is always scrap paper, keep unwanted single-sided A4 sheets in a magazine box or paper box lid. Collect one from your Green Champion. Use the paper for making notes on, or donate to the UCL Nursery (via your Green Champion).
Used Envelopes and Packages
We all receive mail at work, so why not consider re-using the envelopes? Sometimes the envelope is not viable for re-use, but often they are especially larger more rigid envelopes. Also padded envelopes, boxes and tubes. The cost of replenishing the envelopes in our stationery cupboards could be reduced, Re-usable envelopes could be stored alongside the scrap paper. Don't forget that used Postage stamps are collected for the Charity "Hearing Dogs" and collection boxes are located in Departmental Post Rooms.
Whole life cost?
When buying or ordering equipment, please consider the whole life cost of the item. Whole life costing takes account of the cost of a product or service over its life, from determining the need for it to its eventual disposal and replacement.
For equipment, for example, it includes the costs of maintaining and operating the product as well as its outright purchase, the cost of consumables, utilities, training; and the cost of disposal at the end of its life. Research has shown that the purchase cost of equipment is often only a small proportion of the costs of operating it.
- Reducing energy
Ways to reduce energy consumption
Portable Heaters
Please report any issues with heating or cooling to your Estates Liaison. UCL no longer permits the use of portable heaters or coolers. They are only permitted if there is a problem with the temperature of your office or workroom. If you need extra heat or cooling, then contact your Estates Liaison, who will have your room assessed. Once the issue is resolved, the heater will be removed. As with all other electrical items, UCL does not permit heaters to be brought in from the home.
Lifts
We have lifts in North-West Wing and Bedford Way, try to only use the lift if needed, the mechanisms used for powering use lots of electricity, by using stairs you will be saving electricity and helping yourself get a little fitter.
Rechargeable Batteries
Single-use batteries are only available for specialized field equipment. In other cases please use rechargeables, your purchasing officer will advise you. When purchasing computer equipment you will be advised to get corded keyboards and mice, and if wireless versions are required then a charger unit and batteries must also (or have previously been) be purchased.
Air Travel
The Department does not permit the use of Air Travel for domestic flights. All travel bookings must be made through your Finance Administrator who will enforce this. Wherever possible use public transport. The department also has a number of Skype-enabled machines and dedicated Skype headsets to help reduce the need of travelling in person to meetings.
- Reducing Water
Ways to reduce water consumption
Refillable Water Locations?
There are 2 drinking fountains within the department that you can use to refill your own bottle or jug, rather than spend money on UCL catering-supplied water for meetings, why not fill up your own instead? Crockery for meetings is also available for use at small meetings (obtainable from Maria) this saves using disposable plates and cups and gives a more professional feel to your meeting. We are working towards getting the UCL Catering supplier to offer this as a standard to reduce the waste created by all UCL departments. When washing up the crockery or any of your own everyday mugs, try not to wash under a running tap. We are also trying to make it clearer to visitors what our recycling policies are.
Water Saving Ideas for the Lab
Washing dirty glassware out as soon as possible after use can be much easier. Chemicals tend to set as encrustations on glass and once dried, can mean a lot of scrubbing and rinsing to remove the traces and therefore a lot more water use. There are bowls to fill with water and detergents for your general 'washing up'. This eliminates the need to wash out 80 test tubes under a running tap.
Thinking ahead. When using glassware for various analytical procedures, they often need to be acid washed in advance. Ensure before you start that you know exactly what is needed, it can avoid having to carry out unnecessarily repeated acid washing. When washing hands (or gloves) after lab work with soap and water, it is usually possible to turn the tap off while lathering and cleaning your hands, turning it on again to rinse.
When running distilled or deionised water to fill containers, or flushing it through, the ELGA unit may be run to waste, in order to reach maximum water purity before use. This water is absolutely fine for normal lab purposes. Filling a container with this waste will give a supply for washing out beakers, spraying through sieves, using to wet down specimens in picking and microscope work, or even washing hands. These ideas can also be applied to general washing up and hand washing in the rest of the department too.
- Induction
Environmental Awareness Course
UCL has launched a new Green Awareness module via Moodle for all staff and students at UCL. This course introduces the key concepts of sustainability and what these mean for you at UCL. It also makes links to research and teaching so that you can develop an understanding of UCL's global sustainability influence.
Take the course:
Green Impact
Green Impact is an NUS-run programme to help groups to control their environmental impact. The Geography team is called "GI Geog".
- About GI Geog
Set up in 2011 as the Green Impact Geography group, they strive to help make Geography more sustainable through the NUS project "Green Impact" located in the North-West Wing but also covering 26 Bedford Way Building. They are led by Miles Irving and Eileen Cheng and over the last couple of years the team has been successful in helping the department fulfil its desire to become sustainable. Please make sure everything is switched off when not in use and help us to save energy.
- What Green UCL have to say...
A new and improved workbook
We’ve made lots of changes to this year’s workbook. Using feedback from across the institution, we’ve added plenty of new criteria to make the programme more effective, intuitive and fun. There’s also the possibility of achieving even higher scores this year. Now particularly high-achieving teams can achieve a Platinum award for their efforts.
Building on your successes
In previous years, departments have created some amazing projects as part of Green Impact. For instance, the team of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences ran their own Green Awareness Day and also brightened up a grey area of Bedford Way by creating a garden. But it's not all about big actions.
By simply joining and using WARPit (a website for UCL staff to share resources and equipment), teams across the university are helping to save energy, resources and money.
A brilliant year ahead
This year, we’re aiming to help recruit and train students to work alongside staff in their Green Impact teams. Just let us know if you’d like student help, and we’ll get them trained up so they can take part. We’ll also be running mini-competitions to keep staff and students engaged with Green Impact for the duration of this year’s workbook.
Get Involved
- Are you a NETpositive student?
NETPositive is a new tool designed for all students at UCL.
It’ll help you develop new skills, boost your employability and use your time at UCL for good. Go through the simple questionnaire on the following pages and it’ll provide you with a tailored action plan. Log on to find out about:
- Volunteering opportunities in your local community
- How to boost your employability
- Ways to save energy and carbon in your home
- Getting more involved in the campus community