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University of Southamptons Students Union sustainability logo.

Sustainability

Everyone can do their bit to be more sustainable and help protect our planet. Find out about SUSU’s sustainable initiatives and partnerships, including our partnership with the University on delivery of their Sustainability Strategy.

University of Southampton Sustainability Strategy

The University of Southampton’s Strategic Plan for Sustainability was developed by the University, in partnership with SUSU. It sets out a vision for a more sustainable University and what we need to achieve to get there.

Student Sustainability Forum

Passionate about climate justice, and ensuring the University takes action to tackle the climate and ecological crisis? Join our student-led forum; an informal group which meets once a month and acts as a sounding board on all issues environmental and ethical.

We want to know what matters to you and what action you want the University and the Students’ Union to take. Sign up here. Meetings are hybrid; in person and on Teams.

Green Sleeve Initiative

  1. Every time you want a hot drink from The Shop bring along your own cup or purchase one of ours to keep.
  2. Put one of our FREE green sleeves on your cup before filling it up with your drink of choice.
  3. At the checkout scan the barcode on the green sleeve to avoid the £1.00* levy on your drink’s price.

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Too Good To Go at our venues

We're fighting food waste at our venues by partnering with Too Good To Go, an app which lets you buy and collect food at a discounted price so it gets eaten instead of wasted. Download the Too Good To Go app and search for "The SUSU Shop" to buy our surprise bags of unsold food for just £3.99 (retail value of £10.00).

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Teemill: Our Sustainable Clothing Supplier

At The Locker we are passionate about fighting waste and making a difference, and we're proud to have partnered with Teemill as our new merchandise and clothing supplier. Teemill clothing is designed to be returned and remade again and again so it never enters landfill (a process they call 'Remill'), and they make new products from waste materials that are organic and without plastic.

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Wildflower Meadows

Wildflower Meadows and Wildlife-Friendly Veg Growing

SUSU is managing two wildflower meadows on Highfield campus – one by B42 and one by B32 - which provide habitat for a range of plants and pollinators including bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies. We’re also growing vegetables, herbs, fruit, and edible flowers in planters on below Deck and Veg Out and using some of the produce in dishes served in the Plant Pot.

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SUSU Environmental Sustainability Policy

SUSU is committed to being an environmentally and socially responsible organisation. Sustainability is integral to everything we do, and we aim to embed environmental and ethical practices in all our activities. Read our policy to find out more.

Read our Environmental Sustainability Policy

Visit the Plant Pot

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 11.00 - 15.00
Location: Building 42, Highfield Campus.

The Plant Pot is the home of great vegan food! Enjoy a delicious sub, flatbread, burger, snack pot, salad bowl or loaded fries! Relax with your meal in the Veg Out Space next door.

Research has shown that vegan diets created 75% less dietary greenhouse gas emissions compared to diets, in which more than 100g of meat a day was eaten.

Vegan diets also used 75% less land, required 54% less water, and had a 66% lower impact on biodiversity loss and species extinction.

Source: Scarborough et al., 2023. Nature Food 4, 565–574.

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Sustainability Societies

Want to get involved with sustainability in your spare time? Join one of our many sustainability focused societies where you can learn a new skill, volunteer in the local community, and really make a difference!

Beekeeping Society

Beekeeping Society are a student-led society that takes care of three hives of honeybees. BeeSoc provide training and practical hands on experience for all levels of experience. They provide all the necessary training and equipment to enable you to help them take care of our fuzzy friends!
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Campus Collective

Whether you're a keen gardener or a complete novice, Campus Collective is the society for everyone who loves plants, food and the environment! Get all the kit you need to grow your own organic, nutritious herbs and veg right on your windowsill, join them for visits to local farms and community gardens, and eat and be merry with like-minded people.
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Conservation Volunteers

Conservation Volunteers run local conservation days on Sundays, restoring ecosystems and biodiversity around Southampton and Hampshire. They work with local nature reserves and wildlife trusts on heathland restoration, invasive plant removal, coppicing, tree planting, and much more!
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Environmental Science Society

Environmental Science Society focus on environmental impacts and local sustainability events which can help make the world a little better! They welcome all degree types - if you have a passion for the environment, come and join in!
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Extinction Rebellion Southampton

Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse.
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Hedgehog Friendly Campus

Hedgehog Friendly Campus' aim is to raise awareness for the reduction in hedgehog population around the UK and teach students and staff how to ensure that Southampton University Campuses are hedgehog friendly, and what we can do to make our gardens and outdoor spaces as hedgehog friendly as possible.
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Marine Conservation Society

Marine Conservation Society are a group dedicated to conserving our wonderful coastlines and oceans. They organise regular beach cleans, host guest speakers, screen documentaries and organise trips to marine conservation related events all over the country.
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Renewability and Sustainability Society (RESUS)

RESUS is a student manufacturing, engineering, and education initiative that centres its activities around renewable and sustainable technologies. Their projects range from turbine construction to full-on solar aircraft and vehicle production for international competitions.
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BioCycle (Southampton Hub)

BioCycle is an original project set up by Southampton Hub to combat food waste in Southampton by using students to collect waste from student households and recycle it locally. All food waste collected goes to local allotments, who use the waste for composting and to support their local business.
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Wildlife Society

Wildlife Society run nature-themed events and trips in the Southampton area and all over the UK! Everyone is welcome, regardless of their degree or previous experience, all you need is a passion for wildlife.
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Vegan and Vegetarian Society

Whether you're a vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, or an open-minded omnivore, join the Southampton Vegan and Vegetarian society to have fun and enjoy the benefits. VegSoc offer support for people who are interested in becoming vegetarian or vegan, as well as those who already are, by sharing cooking skills, recipes and advice.
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UoS Sustainability Online Courses

UOSM2043 Global Sustainability Challenges Module

Open to all students. This module will challenge you to develop your own definition of sustainability while considering how it is actioned by the many different actors (from citizens to governments, NGOs and businesses) who play a part in taking decisions about sustainability at various scales at the local and global level.

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Southampton Sustainability Solutions

The University offer an online self-led 3-week course to introduce the Sustainability Strategy. You’ll learn about the 6 Goals, what sustainability means for each of us and why it’s important.

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