Lights off

We’d like to make you aware of our sustainability efforts, and exactly what we’re doing to work towards being carbon-neutral by 2050. 

Here at Sanctuary Students, we’re very proud of everything we’re doing to ‘go green’ – we’ve switched our electricity to a green tariff, which will help us save around 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. But we also need your help.

We are honing in on cutting down energy, water and food waste. “Yes, we know – turn off the lights when we’re not in the room and use less water while brushing our teeth”, we hear you cry!

We admit, those are popular tips (although it’s always worth a refresher!), but there are plenty of other small changes you could make to your daily routine that you might not have heard about.

Here’s our top 10! 

Use less energy and electricity

• 1) By using a microwave instead of an oven, you could save 50% less energy. Did someone say instant noodles?

• 2) If you do opt for the oven, did you know that opening your oven door during cooking reduces the temperature by 25 degrees? Have faith in your recipe and try to limit the times you check on your food.

• 3) Feeling a bit chilly? Pop on a jumper before upping the heating – even better if it’s a preloved jumper and bought second-hand! 

• 4) Many universities have gone digital in terms of assignments, but if you do need to print something, consider printing double-sided and widening your margins to fit more text in! 

Use less water

• 5) Regular handwashing was the poster child of the government during the pandemic – and it’s still important, but where you can, try to use cold water rather than hot!

• 6) Only fill saucepans or kettles with the water you need – this is a double whammy, as it saves energy as well as water!

• 7) Use a washing-up bowl in the kitchen sink, and feed any leftover water to any plants you have in the flat. 

Reduce food waste

• 8) Planning your meals will help cut down your food waste, and will help your wallet, too! BBC Food has some great meal prep ideas and apps, such as MealBoard, to help you keep track of what you’ve got in the fridge.

• 9) Talking of apps, Too Good To Go gives you a ‘Magic Bag’ of fresh food that would usually go to waste at cafes, restaurants and supermarkets – just because it hasn’t sold in time.

• 10) Try batch-cooking your meals and freezing them in individual portions. That way, if uni life gets busy, you’ll always have something to eat, and nothing gets wasted. 

Let us know your top tips!

We hope that by sharing these ideas, we’ll help you’ll stay mindful of your habits. Don’t forget, if you have a sustainability top tip to share, let us know and if we feature it in our next termly green newsletter, we’ll send you a £25 voucher!