Do the Green Thing

Recent Events

Lots of events have happened in the past few years. On this page we will outline the most interesting and provide links for further information. If you have any questions, contact us.

2009 - 2010 | 2010 - 2011 | 2011 - 2012

2011 - 2012

Green Impact Project Assistant training

Over the course of two 3-hour sessions in early December, 16 keen and enthusiastic student volunteers were trained to help staff teams in the inter-departmental green competition and accreditation scheme, Green Impact. These volunteers were then matched with teams across the University to help and encourage staff in making changes to benefit UEL's impact on the environment.

‌Waste and Recycling Seminar

In November, UEL and waste consultant Revise held a waste and recycling seminar for all staff responsible for waste management at UEL. The seminar covered legal compliance, the relevance of waste disposal in the light of an environmental management system and provided staff with an opportunity to feedback on current practices and the recently drafted waste strategy. Documents, links and resources from the session are available online.

National Apple Day

On National Apple Day in October, UEL planted the first trees in its urban orchard. Located next to the C-wing entrance to University House (just off the Green, next to the Clinical Education Building) at the Stratford campus, the orchard is comprised of six new fruit trees. Each was planted in a barrel by a member of staff from schools and the SU. A full gallery of the planting and information on each type of fruit is available online, where we will also post updated on the blooming and fruiting progress of the trees.

Planting and bed preparation day at Docklands

It is now not only Stratford that has a vegetable plot! In October, the vegetable bed at Docklands was revitalised by a group of students who helped fill a tonne (literally) of soil in the bed, before planting lots of seedlings. For anyone who wants to know how this happened, we've got a handy step-by-step guide. Volunteers are still needed, especially as a new crop of plants will need to go in the bed before the summer.

Green Impact Launch

UEL has signed up to the Green Impact programme for a second year to continue the involvement of staff in reducing our environmental impact. At two launch lunches in October, staff were invited along to see how easy it is to take part as well as hear from teams that took part last year.

Sustainable Fish City Days

On two days in October, food charity Sustain joined us at our UEL canteens to inform students and staff about issues surrounding unsustainable fishing and what the alternatives are. UEL also showed off what we are doing about it by including a special menu of sustinable fish. Students and staff also took the opportunity to take part in a competition to win a £50 voucher to Wahaca!

Planting Days for Stratfood

During two gloriously sunny lunchtimes in September, we planted a whole lot of new vegetables in our Grow Your Own - Stratfood - plot. The plot is now fully planted, though it needs a lot of watering and tender care, in order to coax the lettuces, radishes and beans to grow as big and strong as they can! If you'd like to get involved, email greenthing@uel.ac.uk.

Freshers 2011 (a separate page)

2010 - 2011

Green Move Out (June 2011)

Each year, students moving out of Halls discard several tonnes of waste.  But many of these items are still in good condition and could be used by others instead of going straight in the bin.  To solve this problem, we collected usable unwanted items in a Green Move Out to give away to charity at the end of semester 2. 

Several student volunteers helped to monitor the collection points for two weeks, and in the end, we collected more than 2 and a half tonnes of waste from the halls that has now been re-directed from landfill. Out of all the materials saved, some items went to student volunteers, some was saved to give to new students living in halls in 2011 / 2012 and the rest went to charity.

Green Impact Award Ceremony

To celebrate the enthusiasm and hard work of staff this year in helping to green UEL, we held a reception and Green Impact awards ceremony in May 2011. Pro-Vice Chancellor Nirmal Borkhataria presented prizes to all participating Green Impact teams. 

Fairtrade Fortnight 2011

From a guest lecture on cotton, to participating in a world record attempt for the longest, fairest piece of bunting, UEL held a number of activities to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. We were also proud to announce our recently achieved Fairtrade University status!

Go Green Week 2011

From 7-11th February, staff and students took part in a week of environmental events from planting vegetables in our new raised bed at Docklands to knitting workshops and guest lectures. 

Freshers' Fayre 2010

We asked students to 'Do the Green Thing' at Freshers' Fayre again in 2010 (20 - 24 Sept), by coming along and visiting our stall to find out how to get involved in environmental projects at UEL and to enter the 'green hamper' prize draw! To draw everyone in, we brough along a bicycle-powered smoothie maker and made the most delicious refreshments to keep everyone going as they made their way around the other stalls at the fayre.

Green Impact Launch (September 2010)

UEL has joined the Green Impact scheme to further involve staff in reducing our environmental impact. Departments are challenged to implement a number of easy practical actions, scoring points for the amount that they do. At the end of the year an awards ceremony was held where all participating departments was awarded a certificate. 

UN International Year of Biodiversity (Autumn 2010)

UEL hosted a variety of events under the theme of 'celebrating urban biodiversity'. Open to people both within and outside the university, events included a conference, film screening and a 'bio-blitz'. Presentations from the conference are now available.

2009 - 2010

Power of Community film screening (15/16 July 2010)

The film tells the story of how people in Cuba adapted their way of living and farming, working collectively and creatively, after the collapse of the Soviet Union halved the country’s oil imports in 1990.

‌EAUC Workshop: Minimising the Environmental Impacts of Printing (27 May 2010)

UEL hosted a free workshop organised by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges as part of their ICT Carbon and Energy Management Programme. Delegates gained a better understanding of measures which can reduce the environmental impacts of printing. View presentations.

Association of University Engineers: Lighting and Carbon Reduction (21 May 2010)

A London branch meeting was hosted by UEL and Ed Horgan from Briar Associates discussed opportunities for carbon reduction through lighting design and control. Presentation.

Bike Week 2010

There are plenty of activities for all staff and students during 26th - 30th April to promote cycling. From a public lecture on current cycling research to films, guided cycle rides along the Greenway and free bike maintenance, there is something for everyone and all are welcome!
Visit UEL Cyclists for further details.

Green Week 2010

From 8th - 12th March, a range of exciting environmental events taking place at both campuses. These including film showings of the Age of Stupid, an Ecological Footprinting Workshop, a Fairtrade and Economic Justice talk, a bike maintenance workshop and renewable energy tours.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010

For this year's Fairtrade Fortnight (22nd February - 7th March) the nation is being asked to join in The Big Swap. For two whole weeks you'll be asked you to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. There are plenty of Fairtrade options available in campus catering and retail outlets so whenever you pop to the shops, you can use your wallet to make a stand!

Public Lecture: E-wasters: Electronics and the Environment (10 December 2009)

UEL Product Design alumni, Andrew Millar reviewed  the environmental and social impacts of our insatiable appetite for the latest electronic products. It is estimated that 75% of the environmental damage has been done before the computer is first switched on, due to harmful processes and toxic chemicals used in production, mining and sourcing.  

Once electronic products have served their purpose they are then thrown away in favour of new versions which are faster, better looking and have more functions - in Britain alone we are responsible for disposing of over 1 million tonnes of e-waste. Presentation‌.

Freshers' Fayre 2009

Students had the chance to 'Do the Green Thing' at Freshers' Fayre on 21 - 25 September at Docklands Campus.

People made delicious pedal-powered fruit smoothies, picked up free reusable shopping bags and signed up to join a brand new People & Planet society.