• The University of Bradford Union – Environmental Report. Published Jan 2011

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• The University of Bradford Union – Environmental Report. Published Jan 2011

► The University of Bradford Union – Environmental Report. Published Jan 2011

The key areas for our environmental improvement are stated below:
Waste reduction: Increasing our recycling figures for the building.
Electricity usage: Setting baseline figures and working to reduce electricity usage throughout the year.
Procurement: Concentrating on ethics, sustainability and Fairtrade.

The University of Bradford Union – Environmental Report. Published Jan 2011

This document sets out the various environmental impacts of the operation of our Students’ Union and goes some way to documenting the ways in which, being aware if this, we have acted to reduce the impacts where we can. There is a lot more can be done and we are open to suggestions, from students, staff, anyone!

Please be in touch with our Ethics and Environment Officer: ubu-eew@bradford.ac.uk

1.0 Category: Controlled waste – Production, storage and disposal of controlled waste.

Impacts: Resource use from waste treatment processes (landfill and incineration) Habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. Potential contamination of land i.e. eco-toxicity (soil contamination due to use as landfill), air (odour) and water (leachate), with associated impacts including: global warming due to the production of methane (or 'landfill') gas; water pollution from landfill 'leachate'; and nuisance (e.g. odour) associated with the siting of landfills. Reduced local air quality can lead to the risk to human health. Potential mixing of hazardous and controlled wastes or different types of controlled waste increases the risk of pollution to the environment and disposal to landfill rather than recycling. (It is a legal requirement to segregate waste into the correct category. This means it can be handled in a way that prevents pollution from leaching or discharge to land and water). Segregation of controlled waste streams is necessary to facilitate recycling and to reduce the risk of cross contamination of waste.

The Union have addressed this by: Adding recycling bins to encourage recycling of general waste. The University currently recycles 63% of its waste with a target of 65%. In the Union bars and catering outlets we use reusable cutlery and crockery where possible and wooden cutlery where necessary.

2.0 Category: WEEE waste – Production, storage and disposal of WEEE (e.g. : Computer Monitors, Fridges & Freezers, TVs.)

Impacts: Breaches of environmental legislation. Human environment, health and safety issues, potential for spillage into the surrounding environment leading to pollution to land or water. Inadequate storage/containment leading to increased risk of pollution to local and wider environment resulting in damage to bio-diversity. Aesthetics, nuisance. Contribution to climate change through landfill gas or incinerator emissions leading to production of CO² into atmosphere. Pollution through emissions/effluent to air, land or water from production process, production related energy usage which releases emissions and discharges to land, water or air causing pollution to the environment. Increased risk of damaging bio-diversity at a local and national level.

The Union have addressed this by: Running a PC recycling scheme to reuse equipment which would have otherwise have been classed as waste. We comply with the law and the University WEEE scheme to dispose of electrical equipment. We are a battery recycling point.

3.0 Category: Food waste from catering – Production, storage and disposal of food waste.

Impacts: Resource use from waste treatment processes (landfill and incineration) Habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. Potential contamination of land i.e. eco-toxicity (soil contamination due to use as landfill), air (odour) and water (leachate), with associated impacts including: global warming due to the production of methane (or 'landfill') gas; water pollution from landfill 'leachate'; and nuisance (e.g. odour) associated with the siting of landfills. Reduced local air quality can lead to the risk to human health. Potential mixing of hazardous and controlled waste or different types of hazardous waste increases the risk of pollution to the environment or requires additional disposal processes. (It is a legal requirement to segregate waste into the correct category. This means it can be handled in a way that prevents pollution from leaching or discharge to land and water See above).

The Union have addressed this by: Being a part of the rocket composting waste food collection scheme. Waste food from catering is collected and goes into the rocket composter to make soil, diverting it from landfill. We have a wormey used by the Union office staff and Sabbaticals.

4.0 Category: Construction and refurbishments – Construction, refurbishment and maintenance of buildings.

Impacts: Depletion of natural resources. Contribution to global warming through transport emissions and emissions during construction resulting from the release of CO² into atmosphere. Release of contaminants into the atmosphere resulting in potential damage to human health and localised species. Depletion of natural resources such as timber, aggregates, metal products and water etc. Local atmospheric contamination from the use of hazardous substances such as solvents, lubricants and adhesives can lead to damage to human health. These requiring storage and duty of care in disposal - see waste sections above. Many impacts generated in upstream life-cycle. For example, solvent based paints are known to emit VOCs during use, thereby aggravating local air quality (through contributing to smog formation). There is scope to influence or control this aspect by specifying sustainable materials and adoption of BREAM guidance etc.

The Union have addressed this by: Insisting on a refurbishment of the old communal building for student central rather than a demolition an new build; this greatly reduced the impact of the building and saved construction resources. Using FSC wood throughout. We are developing a green roof garden for the new building, adding to the biodiversity of the area. We donate any unwanted furniture and office items to community groups, saving it from landfill.

5.0 Category: National Grid electricity – Use of Electricity from the National grid

Impacts: Production of CO2 leading to climate change and global warming resulting in sea level rise, changing weather patterns, increased incidence of pest / diseases, damage to human health / quality of life and biodiversity. Depletion of finite gas and oil resources. Production of oxides of nitrogen leading to photochemical smog formation, resulting in damage to human health, damage to plants and reduction of biodiversity. Production of sulphur dioxide leading to damage to human respiratory health and formation of acid rain resulting in forest decline and lake acidification.

The Union have addressed this by: Installing 60 PV solar panels on the roof of student central. Installing ultra efficient T5 light bulbs throughout the office and mall spaces. There is no air conditioning; instead the building is ventilated via a bespoke ventilation system using waste cold air from the ICT server areas.

Connecting lights in communal areas, toilets and corridors to motion sensors so they are only lit when occupied. Connecting the washroom extraction fans to motion sensors so they only run when occupied. We are monitoring our electricity use, using plotted data over time, to see trends and set targets to reduce our consumption via the Environment Committee.

6.0 Category: Gas use for heating - Use of Gas from National Supply

Impacts: Production of CO2 leading to climate change and global warming resulting in sea level rise, changing weather patterns, increased incidence of pest / diseases, damage to human health / quality of life and biodiversity. Depletion of finite gas and oil resources. Production of oxides of nitrogen leading to photochemical smog formation, resulting in damage to human health, damage to plants and reduction of biodiversity. Production of sulphur dioxide leading to damage to human respiratory health and formation of acid rain resulting in forest decline and lake acidification.

The Union have addressed this by: Ensuring our main source of heating is from the biomass boiler, using the gas backup boilers only when necessary. The heat runs on a returns system to transfer any unused heat back into the system. The building is super insulated and has a BREEAM rating of ‘B’ for energy efficiency; very high for a refurbished building. The windows are double glazed with low emissivity glass.

7.0 Category: Transport - Emissions from transport including: Commuting; sports and business trips

Impacts: Production of CO2 leading to climate change and global warming resulting in sea level rise, changing weather patterns, increased incidence of pest / diseases, damage to human health / quality of life and biodiversity. Production of oxides of nitrogen leading to photochemical smog formation, resulting in damage to human health, damage to plants and reduction of biodiversity. Production of sulphur dioxide leading to damage to human respiratory health and formation of acid rain resulting in forest decline and lake acidification. Production of carbon monoxide and volatile organic carbons resulting in damage to human respiratory health. Production of PM10 and PM2.5 particulates resulting in damage to human respiratory health. Depletion of finite natural resources.

The Union have addressed this by: Running a commuting audit of staff and officers, we keep a record of all miles travelled on union business and sports trips) and by what transport. Running a free evening safety bus service for students and staff. Installing secure bike storage. Providing visitors with public transport information to the Union via the website.

8.0 Category: Water consumption

Impacts: Water resource depletion. Use of chlorine / ozone in treatment and potential risk of damage to human health and ecosystems.

The Union have addressed this by: Installing a rainwater harvesting system on the roof of Student Central. The collected water is stored and used to flush the night club toilets. Washroom taps are all motion activated, so only water needed is used.

9.0 Category: Buying non-sustainable goods – Purchase of non sustainable goods and services

Impacts: Depletion of natural resources. Negative contribution to global warming through transport emissions and emissions during construction resulting from the release of CO² into atmosphere, increased waste generation, low cost may be indicatative of poor quality and less attention to detail in meeting the required need, resulting in e.g. high repair costs – increased waste, frequent replacement – increased waste, Cheap raw materials or components could mean no attention has been paid to difficulty of waste disposal (e.g. Hazardous or WEEE waste thus increasing environmental risk) In the case of Electrical and Electronic Equipment cheaper product may have higher energy consumption).

The Union have addressed this by: Running an ongoing PC recycling scheme to reuse equipment which would have otherwise have been classed as waste. The scheme uses the second hand PCs from the University as well as from the Union. Developing a sustainable procurement policy. Set procurement as an area for improvement concentrating on sustainability and Fairtrade. We take on second hand office furniture from the University via a surplus scheme, saving it from landfill, instead of buying new.

10.0 Category: Products and services - Purchase of sustainable products and services including construction materials

Impacts: Minimum purchasing standards can be specified that have the effect of moving university away from negative environmental as listed above. Compliance and proactive approach to legislation, e.g. Hazardous waste, WEEE. Waste disposal charges, also planning laws, noise, pollution. Recommend positive purchasing policies that encourage positive effects on environmental and sustainability. Efficient use of funds means that university can focus on continuous improvement in Environmental and Sustainability issues. ‘Rogue’ purchasing can be quickly identified and risk of negative environmental impacts listed can be avoided.

The Union have addressed this by: Developing a sustainable procurement policy. Set procurement as an area for improvement concentrating on sustainability and Fairtrade.