Lifestyle

  • Autumn and Winter Cycling Tips! 

    Cycling is a great way to get active, travel sustainably, and save money on transport costs. While commuting by bike is more popular in the summer months, riding through autumn and winter can be just as enjoyable (with the right preparation)!   Here are our top tips to help you stay warm, visible, and confident on…

  • Sustainability Team Beach Clean 2025!

    This week the Sustainability Team headed to Tynemouth Longsands Beach and Cullercoats for a beach litter pick in support of the Great British Beach Clean 2025. Every September, thousands of people across the UK head to the coast to take part in this nationwide event, organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). Last year volunteers…

  • World Car Free Day

    Monday 22nd September is World Car Free Day and Newcastle University is taking a city-wide approach with local institutions including Newcastle City Council, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Nexus. We are asking those who can, to take the Newcastle Car Free Day pledge and commute to campus using a car free mode…

  • Cycle to Work Day 2025: Everything You Need to Get Involved

    This Thursday, 7th August, is Cycle to Work Day, a national campaign founded by Cycling UK to encourage as many people as possible to commute by bike. Whether you are a regular rider or are considering cycling to work for the first time, it is a perfect opportunity to start! This blog outlines the benefits…

  • Plastic Free July 2025!

    Plastic pollution poses a worldwide challenge, with 400 million tons of plastic produced each year, and this number is predicted to triple by 2060 (UNEP, 2025). It is estimated that UK households throw away a staggering 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging a week (Big Plastic Count, 2024). Plastic is a highly durable material; therefore, it rarely completely disappears…

  • Clean Air Day 2025

    Thursday 19th June 2025 marks Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign dedicated to tackling air pollution. Coordinated by Global Action Plan, this day brings communities, schools, workplaces and decision-makers together to raise national awareness and advocate for clean, healthy air.  Why Air Pollution Matters  Air pollution is now recognised by both the UK Government…

  • Celebrating Bike Week 2025!

    From Monday 12th May to Wednesday 14th May, Bike Week took place in the Boiler House. The event was hosted by the Sustainability Team in collaboration with WATBike and Cycling UK. Each day, colleagues and students could be seen queuing up outside the venue, bikes in hand, ready for servicing. Read on to find out…

  • Leave Newcastle Happy: Your Guide to Moving Out Sustainably

    As the academic year draws to a close, the time has come to face the moving-out process. From quirky costumes to forgotten kitchen gadgets, it can feel like you’ve accumulated twice as much as you brought. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with simple, sustainable solutions for clearing out your space.  Thanks to…

  • Bike Maintenance: Handy tips to keep your wheels on the road 

    We’ve all been there – the sun’s shining, you’ve got your cycling clothes on, water bottle filled, ready to hit the road…only to discover an issue with your bike. Whether it’s a flat tyre, faulty brakes, or grinding gears, we’ve teamed up with our friends at WATBike to share some simple maintenance tips that’ll keep…

  • Think Globally, Act Locally: How Newcastle is Joining the Fashion Revolution

    Fashion Revolution is an organisation that formed in 2013, following the Rana Plaza factory disaster. Since then, it has grown to become the world’s largest fashion activism movement, reaching over 80 countries worldwide. The movement challenges the fashion industry’s exploitative systems and pushes for a future that prioritises people and the planet. Through campaigns, education…

  • Celebrating Spring: Top 5 Green Spaces on Campus

    To celebrate the start of spring and the launch of our new Sustainable Campus Map, we’re highlighting the best green spaces on campus. Our interactive map showcases sustainability hotspots across Newcastle University, from research hubs and renewable energy centres to green roofs and sustainable food spots. At Newcastle University, we are fortunate to have a…

  • Reflecting on the Women in Sustainability Careers Exploration Workshop

    Last week, on Monday the 10th of March, the inaugural Women in Sustainability Careers Exploration Workshop took place, in partnership with the official Women in Sustainability Network. Over 35 students were able to reflect, learn and be inspired to explore careers in sustainability-related roles, coached by experts in the field. At Newcastle University, we support…

  • Celebrating World Water Day 2025: Saving Every Drop

    World Water Day is a United Nations Observance held on the 22nd of March every year, aiming to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater. Water is a crucial resource that is central to natural ecosystems, agriculture, sanitation, industry, heating, transport, and, of course, keeping us hydrated! Less than 1% of the world’s water is…

  • Sustainability Communications Placement: Interviewing Charlotte and Cristina

    Cristina and Charlotte have been our Sustainability Communications Placements this year and have just hit the six-month mark of their time with us. Over the past few months, they’ve contributed to various projects and learned a great deal along the way. We sat down with them to reflect on their experiences in the role so…

  • Simpler Recycling: What It Means for You and the Future of Waste Management

    Simpler Recycling is a new policy introduced in 2023 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It aims to “make bin day easier” by standardising and reducing the number of recycling containers used across the UK. With new legislation coming into effect on 31st March 2025, here is your guide to understanding…

  • Art for the Earth: How Newcastle University Galleries and Museums are speaking into the sustainability conversation  

    Newcastle University is home to a cacophony of museums, galleries, and collections, all open to the public and free to enjoy.   This February marks the unveiling of 3 exhibitions across campus, all with something to add to the sustainability conversation. Not sure which to carve into your calendar? Don’t worry! We’ve spoken to the curators…

  • Veganuary 2025: All You Need to Know Before it’s Over

    Veganuary is a global movement that encourages people to commit to a vegan diet for 31 days in January. Started in 2014 by the UK charity Veganuary, people from over 228 countries have participated in the challenge over the last ten years, and over three-quarters of people in the UK have heard of Veganuary. This…

  • Disposing of Disposable Vapes: Environmental Impact and Responsible Solutions

    A disposable vape is a pre-filled, electronic cigarette designed for one-time use. They have become a convenient alternative to cigarettes in recent years due to their affordability and availability. It is now predicted that over 360 million disposable vapes are thrown away in the UK every year, but only 17% of users recycle them in…

  • Food Waste Bins Are Coming to Your Kitchen!

    Food waste is a major driver of climate change, contributing to 8% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Starting this January, Newcastle University will be introducing food waste bins in every university-owned accommodation kitchen. Look out for a small green caddy in your kitchen, along with a roll of bin bags to get you…

  • Colleague Volunteering: National Trust Gardeners for the Day

    On Friday the 25th of October, 14 colleagues from Estates and Facilities took a trip to Seaton Delaval Hall to work as volunteer gardeners for the day under Newcastle University’s colleague volunteering scheme. It was a really rewarding experience, so read on to hear more about our day! Seaton Delaval Hall is a National Trust…

  • Second Hand Santa: and other sustainable swaps for your office

    Well it’s come around again – what some claim is the most wonderful time of the year! But amongst the lights, sparkles and glad tidings there is a less merry reality to our festive celebrations… the waste they create. So why not shake it up this year and start a new sustainable tradition? Take a…

  • 3 Ways to Upcycle and Update your Wardrobe this November 

    This month, it is Nothing New November. Nothing New November is a campaign founded by Keep Britain Tidy to combat the issue of impulse buying, especially during Black Friday. The challenge encourages people to buy nothing new for a month, excluding essentials like food and medication. So, sign-up to the challenge, give it a go,…

  • Reuse, Refill, Recycle

    Could you buy nothing new for just one month? Nothing New November is a UK wide challenge that calls the public to fight overconsumption and impulse purchases by buying nothing new for one month (excluding essentials like food etc). The aim is to waste less, make the most of the stuff we already own, and…

  • The 2024 Christmas Switch Off at Newcastle University

    What is the Christmas Switch Off? The Christmas Switch Off is a University-wide campaign where we encourage staff and students to turn off any electrical items that can be switched off instead of leaving them on standby over the Christmas break. Why is the Christmas Switch Off important?   By turning off everything that can…

  • Green Impact Launch and LEAF update!

    At Newcastle University, we recognise that the climate crisis must be addressed communally, and we cannot meet the sustainability targets set out in our Climate Action Plan without the efforts of all our colleagues and students. Green Impact and LEAF are two amazing programmes available for our colleagues at the university, with the opportunity for…

  • Nature Positive Student Ambassador Programme

    Nature Positive is a term that refers to the reversing of nature loss and encourages ecosystem recovery. The Nature Positive Universities network is comprised of over 500 higher educational institutions worldwide who have all committed to protecting biodiversity by signing the Nature Positive Pledge. The network was jointly founded by the University of Oxford and…

  • Keep Cosy, Cut the Costs, and take Climate Action this Chilly Season

    Only 1.8% of UK homes meet the top energy efficiency ratings, making them some of some of the biggest energy-wasters in Europe. As the colder months approach and the East wind begins to bite, keeping your flat, house, or halls warm can become increasingly challenging. This guidance outlines some ways that you can tackle rising…

  • Sustainable innovations: designing the homes of the future in the _OME

    Completed in June 2021, the _OME is the flagship research and showcasing facility of the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE), an innovative research partnership set up between Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. With funding from Research England, the HBBE combines expertise in biosciences, design, architecture, and engineering to advance cutting edge research on…

  • Investing in Sustainability

    It goes without saying that money is an incredibly important resource: it organises economies the world over, facilitates vast global trade, and is used to buy all sorts of goods and services, from everyday items to the resources that keep our university running. How money is spent, therefore, is very important to the ways in…

  • Sustainability Week: the highlights!

    Running Monday through Friday last week, Newcastle University Student’s Union (NUSU) collaborated with a wide variety of groups and individuals (including us the Sustainability Team!) to organise an action-packed week of sustainability events. Read on to learn more about the range of engaging and thought provoking sessions put on! Monday 19 February Second-hand MarketTo kick…