We currently generate approximately 2.5% of our own electricity on-site through solar panels, and projects are under way to install more. While we are still relying on the grid, this shift to ‘green’ energy means we are supporting the renewable energy industry and this is an important step in our mission to lower our carbon footprint.

We are working on a plan to increase solar panels on our camps in order to generate 5% of our electrical supply, new installations to be delivered in 2020-2021.

We have solar panels located across 11 of our buildings at our Colchester campus, these include The Albert Sloman Library, Sports Arena and Knowledge Gateway.

The Essex Business School building in Colchester is the UK's first zero-carbon business school building and houses our Accounting, Finance and Management and Marketing groups as well as over 2,000 students and staff.

It has been estimated that the design of the building reduces emissions by 18% as a result of solar panels, making use of natural light, heat circulation.

The central courtyard is open to the sky and forms a water garden, collecting roof surface rainwater, which is in turn used to irrigate the winter garden planting.

The building has been orientated to make maximum benefit of solar energy, both through passive heat gains and PV energy.

The 500sqm solar array offsets 47.9 tonnes of CO2 annually generating enough electrical energy to offset over 20% of the site's carbon emissions.

At the University of Essex we believe in responsible construction and refurbishment.

All our new build and refurbishment projects are assessed for sustainability performance and impacts, with BREEAM ‘very good’ as the minimum rating expected for major building projects.

Any new building must incorporate in 15% renewables, this is increased where funding allows.

We have a preference to invest in FSC certified furniture that complies with our ethical purchasing commitments.

For more information please see the Refurbishment of Estates case study (.pdf)

• Take a reusable cup to Essex Food outlets on campus and get a discount when you buy a hot drink.
• Think before you print: if you do need to print, change the settings to double-sided (duplex) and black and white printing. Avoid printing altogether and send documents digitally.
• Use our A to Z of waste and recycling to make sure you're putting things in the right places. 
• Students moving out of accommodation can donate unwanted items to British Heart Foundation using the bags delivered to your room. Visit the moving out page to find out more. At Colchester you can donate to the collection banks all year round.
• The SU regularly collect donations for the Colchester Foodbank - keep an eye out for details of future collections. In December 2021, 615.6kg were donated - you can make it even more next time!
• Recycle your pumpkin in one of our dedicated bins in the week after Halloween. 

Colchester

• We provide free access to drinking water to all our staff and students.
• To find a water fountain near you, go to 'FindYourWay' and type in 'water' in the search bar. All places with water fountains will appear, and you will be able to choose the one closest to you. 
• You can also ask any Essex Food outlets to fill your water bottle for free. 
• All tap water in our campus accommodation is safe and ready to drink. 

Southend

• You can find water fountains in various locations around the campus: in every floor of the Gateway and Cliff Town building or in the University Square common room. 

Loughton

• You can ask any SU location to fill your water bottle for free: the SU Lounge, the Library or the Corbett Theatre

• Save energy by switching off what's not in use (including chargers, screens and lights).
• Boiling the kettle? Only fill with what you need. 
• Got a flickering light or broken window? Report faults to the Estates team.
• To manage energy use, thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) will be turned down in offices and seminar rooms ahead of the Christmas break. You're welcome to turn these up if you need to, but please remember to turn them down again when you leave the room. 

• Dr Bike service in term time on Colchester campus.
• The annual season First UoE bus pass is available for discounted travel to our Colchester campus and within the Colchester area. 
• The annual season Arriva bus pass is available for discounted travel to our Southend campus within the Southend area. 
• We run a Cyclescheme for staff, deducting the cost of a new bike and equipment from salary payments enabling a saving up to 40%.

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. 
• Turn off the tap when you have finished using it.
• Got a dripping tap? report to the Estates team. 

• We encourage students and staff to explore the Green Flag Award-winning grounds of the Colchester campus and discover the wildlife and habitats. 
• Today, the campus comprises 18 major habitats, with many notable species among its 2,800 trees. Our three artificial lakes provide homes for carp, cormorants, and kingfishers, while 220 acres of grounds support much more fauna, flora, and fungi. Find out more about Wivenhoe Park.
• We have a Green Thumbs student society who work on our campus allotment at our Colchester campus. The aim is to grow their own produce and reap the benefits of being outside. 

• We have a range of Moodle modules for staff to learn about embedding sustainability at the University.
• New staff members complete the 'How We Work at Essex' induction on Moodle which includes information about the Sustainability Sub Strategy, sustainability policies and sustainability on campus.
• The Sustainability team attends induction events for new staff members to reinforce understanding of sustainability on campus.
• Unwanted items can be advertised on the staff small-ads email list

• During Welcome Week, we are out and about on campus. Visit our stall and get involved with us on everything from sustainability tips to hedgehog surveys. 
• We offer a wide range of taught modules that focus on environmental impact, as well as our Summer School in Sustainable Practice.
• The SU has appointed a Climate Change Project Co-ordinator who will help the SU to work toward continual improvement for environmental sustainability by mapping, auditing and tracking annual progress of its impact areas.
• There are opportunities for students to get funding for a sustainability project, for more information visit our Crowdfunding page.
• Studio X, home to our Essex Startups team, is located at our Colchester Campus and offers students and graduates who are interested in starting their own business, support throughout their entrepreneurial journey. As a student at Essex you can learn the skills needed to be successful in business and use Studio X as a base to help your start-up to grow. We are greatly interested in businesses with a purpose and those with a sustainable focus, we are hoping to offer a programme in the next academic year 22/23 that focuses on creating sustainable businesses for the future.