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.
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.
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.
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. Find out more here: Southampton Sustainability Solutions online course.
In our guide find out how you can easily make sustainability a part of your student lifestyle - such as reducing how much energy and water you use in your house, eco-friendly ways of getting around the city, and introducing vegan food to your diet. You can also read about the best ways to reduce, reuse and recycle!
Read our guide
We're fighting food waste at The Shop 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).
find out more and download the app
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.
Find out more
In November 2021 Ben Dolbear (Union President 2021-22), Matt Smith (VP Sports 2021-22) and Fatima Ali (Sustainability Officer 2021-22) had the fantastic opportunity to attend the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference. In this video they share lessons learned, their reflections on the talks and events they attended, and what we can do next at SUSU to improve our sustainability.
Watch our video
From 18 April to 01 May 2022 we held our Sustainability Fortnight, with lots of great events and activities for students to get involved with looking after our planet! These included a Beach Clean at Weston Shore, a Sustainability Forum, and a Plant Giveaway. Our Sustainability Week will be back for 2023, look our for more details coming soon!
Find out moreWant 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 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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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 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 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 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' 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 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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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 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 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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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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