The theme incorporates a range of goals, including engaging with staff and developing our campuses to improve our working practices and existing operations to achieve net zero emissions.
One team striving for sustainable solutions at Loughborough is Print, Post and Logistic Services, which forms part of Creative and Print Services and is based in the Herbert Manzoni Building.
The team provides a range of services for students, staff, campus partners as well as the local community. From office supplies, gifts and corporate workwear, to print and post services, they play a vital role in the University’s operations.
Naturally, many people might assume that this function is not the most sustainable, but this article is here to debunk the myths surrounding paper and print, in addition to raising awareness of the ethical practices which have been adopted by the team which you may not be aware of.
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Reducing energy usage
New machinery has been installed as part of the Campus Printing Service and in print production, all with significantly lower energy needs.
The team adhere to strict protocols at the end of each working day to ensure that all sockets are switched off (where it practically makes sense to), as well as turning off all the lights and closing blinds and doors to retain heat.
The result of these changes has meant that electricity usage is currently lower than the previous year.
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Advocating re-use
In the last few years, as the University has shifted to a dynamic working model following the Covid-19 pandemic, the team has collected and redistributed unwanted items of stationery from across the campus.
Available on the Online Shop, users can browse items such as staplers and hole punches, A4 folders and wallets, as well as desk organisers.
The initiative, in collaboration with the Sustainability team, has benefited staff, students, as well as local schools, nurseries, and sports clubs.
Those who reuse the unwanted items are encouraged to make a small donation towards the Student Hardship Find.
Separately to this, the team actively visits buildings across the campus due to be refurbished or knocked down so they can obtain old signage, frames and pull-up banners to repurpose.
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Championing Loughborough Gold
The Print, Post and Logistics team also plays an important role in the production of Loughborough Gold honey, which is produced by the University’s very own honeybees. For the last three years, not only have they cleaned, labelled and packed over 1,000 jars ready for sale, but they have also served as a collection point for customers. The Loughborough Gold Honey has generated more than £7,000 in revenue, which is all invested back into maintaining the Apiary.
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Supporting donation drives
The team has supported a number of charity drives over the last few years. ‘Choose to Reuse’ is a campaign set up by Community Warden Jenny Ardley who wanted to encourage students to become more sustainable by donating their unwanted items for local organisations such as the YMCA and Air Ambulance. The team’s service point in the Herbert Manzoni Building has been a collection point for items, and members have helped to sort through the items.
Furthermore, a new retention and disposal policy for uncollected student parcels has been developed, meaning any parcels that have not been obtained are donated to the scheme.
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Recommending sustainable gifts
The team has updated their ‘Gifts and Souvenirs’ catalogue on the Online Shop by removing all plastic products such as coasters and plastic pens and they have taken an active approach to educating and raising awareness of more sustainable prize and giveaway options for colleagues across the University.
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Upgrading our software
The team is responsible for more than 200 printers across the campus used by our community. Last year, a review was undertaken that placed a strong focus on sustainability.
This resulted in upgrading the entire fleet, removing 50 low-usage devices and transferring others to high-footfall areas to ensure the printers were being used effectively - all with a complete change of software.
The enhanced system means the printers all power down when not in use, making them more energy efficient. The Ricoh toner used is made from plant-based renewable materials, and the standard paper used is Steinbeis No.1, which is 100% recycled and processed without harmful bleaching agents and can be recycled again after use. The new software enables all users to monitor their print and paper usage and through a request form on their website, Schools and Departments can request monthly automated reports providing more detail of their usage, spending and environmental impact.
The steps that the team have taken to improve their sustainability have certainly been noticed. Earlier this month, they were named the winners of the ‘Best In-House Sustainability’ category at the ACPME Creative and Print Awards.
Environmental Manager at the University, Nik Hunt commented: “It is great to see the best practice work Helen and all the team in the Print, Post and Logistic Services are doing to support operational sustainability on the campus. We have worked with them on several of the campaigns and projects, but Helen and the team have shown great initiative in driving sustainability across their operations and the services they deliver across the site.
“This is a great example of a Department reviewing the impact of its own operations, making changes that have impacted and supported the University’s strategic theme of Climate Change and Net Zero. Through the Carbon Action Planner, we will be working with all Schools, Departments and halls of residence, providing them with the opportunity to demonstrate similar initiatives and changes which support the strategic theme of Climate Change and Net Zero.”
The team is continuing to implement more environmentally friendly practices within their area and has been working on a bespoke plan as part of the Carbon Action Planner initiative. If you would like to find out more, please contact Helen Clarke, Print, Post and Logistic Services Manager.