MMLL is committed to reducing its environmental impact. We have a Green Team working hard to raise awareness of environmental issues in the building, and we need everyone to do their bit if we are to make a real improvement to our sustainability.
Improving sustainability should be fun so we organise a range of activities over the course of the year. We'll also keep you informed via this page about other environmental initiatives around the University, so do check back from time to time and see what's coming up.
We're pleased to announce that the MMLL Green Team retained its Silver Green Impact Award for the year 2021-22.
Our staff induction checklist now includes sustainability training.
Borrow a Bike
The University's Sustainability Team are working with Outspoken Cycles to deliver the scheme which will allow staff to choose from a range of bikes, including city, hybrid, electric, folding and cargo bikes, for just £10 per month. The scheme will give staff the opportunity to try their commute by bike before investing in purchasing one themselves.
Induction events will be held each month where staff can pick up and drop off the bikes, alternatively a pick up/collection service can be arranged for an extra cost.
For more details you can visit https://www.outspokencycles.co.uk/uoc-borrow-a-bike/
Bespoke travel advice for University staff
A new Travel Advisor service is being launched to help University staff consider their travel choices as thoughts turn towards returning to the workplace.
After working from home for the past year or more, you might be unsure about what your travel options are as the University begins opening its doors again. The Travel Advisors can help you find out what’s changed since you last travelled to work, including how to keep active by walking and cycling as part of your commute.
This new service has been introduced by the University to help staff explore the alternative travel options that might be available to them, perhaps looking for a commute that is healthier, greener, faster or cheaper than previous arrangements. The service is aimed at all staff, although it might be particularly useful if you’re a relatively recent or new starter who has yet to venture to the workplace.
The June Creative Challenge 2021
To celebrate Pride Month and the start of 30 Days Wild, which challenges you to do one wild thing a day, we invited students and staff to participate in our creative challenge. Many lovely photographs linked to nature/wildlife were submitted. We askied people that submit photos to make an optional donation to LGBTQ+ charity, The Kite Trust, a local Cambridge charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people. https://localgiving.org/donation/thekitetrust
We were so pleased with the results of this competition and invite you to look at our entries here.
Recent newsletters
How do you travel around town?
How to have a Greener Christmas
Our Green Team
Our Green Team:
- Francesca Abete
- Jacob Baldwin
- Lauren Byrnes
- Katie Fuller
- Rosie Hunt
- Alison Murfin
- Sam Oliver
- Melanie Parker
- Mina Perkins
We're always happy to receive feedback and suggestions so if you have any ideas, or if you'd like to join the team, please contact us on greenteam@mmll.cam.ac.uk
What can I do to be Green?
There are lots of ways in which you can help. Here are a few suggestions:
- Switch off lights when you leave a room
- Switch off equipment at the end of the day and use 'sleep' mode when you go to a meeting
- Bring in your own coffee/tea mug rather than use one from the drinks machine
- Think before you throw away your rubbish - use the recycling bin if possible
- Take the stairs, not the lift
- Put on a jumper on a cold day rather than turn up the heating
- Report maintenance issues (e.g. a dripping tap) to the Facilities Management Team.
- Only print what you really need to have in hard copy
- Always print double-sided, and photocopy double-sided wherever possible
- Share transport or use a bike rather than driving a car
- Bring in batteries to the MMLL Faculty Office for recycling
- Bring in electrical/electronic equipment for recycling by the Facilities Management Team.
