The Good News! Eco-initiatives on our campuses

Members of University community are exploring new ways of doing things to improve the environmental impacts of our organisation.
This page compiles snapshots of local eco-initiatives. to submit stories or to find out about how you can strengthen these initiatives.

Office Practices – ‘A27 Greenies’

University Grounds staff trial Biodiesel

Saving Water

Ride to Work Day

Greening the University Fleet: Environment as key factor

E-waste: 2007 Electronic Waste Recycling Program

Conserving Biodiversity: Tree planting at Arthursleigh

Building Green: Recycling during Camus 2010

Office Practices – ‘Greening Edward Ford’

Towards the end of 2006, Professor Simon Chapman, Acting Head of the School of Public Health, called a meeting to discuss initiatives the School might take to become more environmentally responsible. This meeting was attended by staff from the Environmental Strategies Team and since then, the School has been progressively changing its office practices to reduce its impact on the environment under the broad heading ‘Greening Edward Ford’ (the School is located in the Edward Ford building).

In all offices, staff have control over the air conditioning in their offices, but prefer not to use them when possible. Some staff prefer natural daylight, so the overhead lights are often off.. Even a heritage building such as Edward Ford could further reduce its reliance on air conditioning by having window shutters or shades installed on walls facing internal courtyards, although this is not planned at present.

Staff and students are encouraged to continue this initiative. For example:

• Boxes of scrap paper and envelopes are provided in corridors for staff and students notes
• Scrap paper is available in the print room for reuse
• All new paper is Xerox Supreme – 100% post consumer recycled (purchased through UPS)
• From time to time, the Facilities Manager sends out email reminders to staff to switch off lights at end of day and, for academics especially, to duplex print
• Students are encouraged to use scrap paper for printing in the computer labs
• During Orientation, new students receive information on a ‘green uni’.
• All computer lab monitors are set to sleep after 20 minutes instead of running a screen saver, which saves power.
• The School is moving to use all Kyocera multi-function devices, which reduces the number of machines required, and has significant environmental benefits, such as ability to power down, and recyclable components.
• Lighting motion sensors are located on Level 1 and the School is considering motion-activated sensors for all out-of-hours lighting.

For help in setting up similar work practices in your Department or School, contact the

University Grounds staff trial Biodiesel

In February 2006, a new retail outlet of biodiesel opened in Marrickville. Biodiesel is highly refined vegetable oil, suited for use in diesel engines. In fact, the diesel engine was initially designed to run on vegetable oil. Biodiesel is preferable to petro-diesel as its combustion produces less carbon and particulate pollution. As it was the same price, the University Grounds staff were keen to trial its use.

Several blends are available and the 80/20 blend (known as B20) was chosen as an initial safe substitute. B20 was used in one vehicle, with no impact on performance or servicing needs. In fact, the trial suggested that biodiesel actually strips away clogs in the engine. There were plans to expand its use in another 3 trucks, a tractor and chipper, however the retail outlet closed due to a problems with its lease. Once another local retailer is available, the Ground’s vehicles will resume their use of B20. The University's Security Shuttle is also a potential candidate.

Saving Water

CIS has been working to reduce the amount of water used by the University by 10% over the last decade - despite a 50% increase in student numbers. How?

Commonsense gardening
Our grounds are valued by staff and students alike. CP&S Grounds staff have the challenge of balancing the competing demands of maintaining heatlhy, historically significant gardens with saving water.
At Camperdown/Darlington, 8km of drip irrigation pipes have been laid beneath the garden beds. The system is controlled by timers so that watering occurs overnight to minimise evaporation.
Gardens are mulched with a 50:50 blend made from compost produced onsite. The compost is made from tree prunings and animal manure from Vet Science.

Finding and fixing leaks
110 water meters measure the consumption of water within buildings across campus. The meter data is fed into a custom made spreadsheet reporting system, and the results for your building are also available online. Automatic reports alert CP&S when consumption is unusually high so that leaky pipes, toilets, taps and airconditioners can be fixed in good time.

Low flow taps
Australian Aqualoc valves are being installed and can reduce the volume of water that flows through a tap by up to 75%.

Urinals and toilets
CP&S has removed the control systems that cause urinals to continually flush, and for new refurbishments and buildings, manual push buttons that automatically shut off after a dose of water are preferred. Dual flush/low flow toilets are also preferred however in some older buildings they do not suit the plumbing.

In laboratories, waterless vacuum pumps are replacing thirsty waterjet aspirators. Advanced Engineering Students have investigated the feasibility of reusing reject water from Reverse Osmosis units in labs across campus to water grounds.

Dental Hospital Michael Jean Louis and his team at Sydney Dental Hospital have four specialised plaster trimmers that create moulds from people's mouths. Students were leaving the motor and water running, so the Hospital electrician and engineer retrofitted the machine with a solenoid valve and foot pedal. The motor will not function unless you depress the pedal, making it safer, saving water and power.

Sydney University Sports recently won funds from the Commonwealth Community Water Grants to save water at their facilities. Their application was based on a final year thesis by Christina Berry. Water efficient showerheads, toilets and taps will be installed and the Aquatic Centre pool's filtration system will be upgraded with a new filter medium called Zelbrite that reduces the backwash when cleaning the pool water. The estimated savings are 7,400,000 litres of water each year.

Ride to Work Day

In October 2006 a group of staff promoted the benefits of cycle-commuting to the University community as part of National Ride to Work Day. Associate Professor Chris Rissell from the School of Public Health was one of the team. He is evaluating cycle infrastructure promotion in Western Sydney for the NSW Department of Health. The University has also produced a free bike map that shows the smartest ways to cycle to Camperdown Darlington - being promoted here by Adam Spencer, from the University Senate.