We are committed to minimising the environmental impact of our activities. Leeds Trinity University is in the process of developing a robust Environmental Management System and supporting procedures and Governance.
Energy and carbon reduction of our Estate
We are actively reducing our energy use and carbon through our estate in order to contribute towards our Net Zero Carbon goals. Initiatives include:
- New decarbonised fully electric City Centre campus which utilises Air Source Heat Pumps.
- The electricity supplied to the University is provided by sources which are 100% renewable
- LED lighting replacements
- Automatic lighting control (e.g. presence/absence detection) installed where practicable
- New boiler sets have improved efficiencies over the replaced items
- Installation of CHP (Combined Heating and Power) which ensures that, in addition to burning gas for heating and hot water, we also generate electricity. We are currently exploring ways to convert from gas heating.
- Solar PV systems installed in Kirkstall Hall generate clean energy
- Power factor correction unit installed within AKLC extension, to ensure optimum efficiency
- Continual improvements to the Building Management System (BMS) system to ensure plant and equipment are working within efficiency parameters
- Electric Vehicle Charge points
Waste
Waste is segregated:
- Volumes of Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR) handled by our incumbent supplier continue to increase annually. This is expected to increase further with planned improvements to indoor and outdoor receptacles.
- General waste is sent to a recycling and energy recovery facility, and processed as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)
- No waste goes to landfill.
- Glass is recycled for use in other glass products.
- Food waste is segregated and collected by a specialist supplier for conversion into biofuel, via anaerobic digestion.
- Household items and clothing, from the university's accommodation blocks are collected for the British Heart Foundation's Pack for Good campaign. Volumes of which continue to increase each year.
- Furniture is assessed for re-use/refurbishment where possible, and the University works in partnership with suppliers to facilitate.
Wipe Out Waste Cups
By creating WoW Cups, our sustainability team has combined the convenience of a disposable cup with the environmental benefits of a reusable cup, as a way to help reduce single-use cups across campus.
The new ‘Wipe Out Waste’ cup is a reusable hot drinks cup, available at our Horsforth Campus and Leeds City Campus. This initiative aims to help us reduce waste and the use of single-use plastics in disposable coffee cups. It's a convenient, reusable cup scheme, where you can return the cup for washing, eliminating the need to remember your own washed reusable cup each time.
Simply remember to bring your cup's rubber band, and you will continue to receive the usual 30p discount on your hot drink. You can purchase your first WoW cup from our coffee outlets for just £6, which includes a free hot drink.
How does the scheme work?
Purchase your WoW Cup for just £6 and get your first drink free.
When empty, remove and keep your green sleeve. Return your WoW Cup to any coffee outlet across our Horsforth campus or deposit your cup into the specific WoW Cup bins to be washed and stored. When buying your next drink, show your cup sleeve and your hot drink will be served in a clean WoW Cup with a 30p discount.
Water
- Low water consuming sanitary and leak detection equipment are installed as part of campus refurbishment and development projects to reduce our water consumption.
- Water fountains are available across campus.
- We also provide our students with reusable water bottles to help them keep hydrated and reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles on site.
Supply chain
- Our suppliers are encouraged to support our sustainable aims.
- Our catering provider now uses many environmentally friendly items such as paper straws and veggie ware takeaway boxes and cups, and they are moving from hard plastic four-pint bottles of milk to pouches which are 82% less plastic.
- In October 2019 Leeds Trinity pledged to divest from Fossil fuel investments.
Sustainable Travel
- As part of our Sustainable travel plan, Leeds Trinity University provides a free shuttle bus to support staff and students to reach our main campus, with regular services to and from Horsforth train station and services to local amenities, such as the supermarket and doctor's surgery. The bus is fully wheelchair accessible.
- To encourage active sustainable travel, through Trinity Perks, we provide staff with the Cycle to Work scheme benefit. This is a salary sacrifice scheme to help with the upfront cost of purchasing a bike and accessories, with tax-efficient loans available of up to £2500 paid back over an 18-month period. We also have a range of cyclist facilities on site including secure cycle storage located across campus, and a bike maintenance station in the bike storage at All Saints Court. We also have showers and changing facilities for all staff and students in the sports centre.
- The University currently has 4 Electric Vehicle charging points for staff and students to use free of charge.
- We carry out an annual Staff and Student travel survey to help inform, develop and advance our Sustainable Travel Plan.
Printing
- Print services use many recycled materials including 100% recycled material paper, and items such as pens, pencils, notebooks.
- We are exploring ways of reducing all our printed materials and ensuring information is available online.
Sustainable construction
- All large new build projects are designed to meet BREEAM Excellent standards as a minimum.
- We embed sustainability standards and principles into all projects.
Biodiversity
The University is committed to protecting and enhancing the green spaces and biodiversity, we are lucky to have on our campus, including 2 ponds, woodland, lots of grassland and many beautiful mature trees.
Through our campus Masterplan programme we are looking to significantly enhance biodiversity and create spaces for learning, teaching, research and wellbeing.