Every year, around 400 million tonnes of paper and paperboard are produced, with numbers predicted to double by 2050. The paper industry is among the top five most energy-intensive industries globally and production requires significant amounts of water.
Printing may seem like a small, everyday activity, but its environmental impact can add up quickly. Adopting more sustainable printing practices can help us to reduce waste, energy use, and carbon emissions across campus.
The Quad – Photograph by Charlotte Robson
Print less
Before printing, take a moment to think about the necessity of printing. Could a digital version of the document serve the same purpose?
Print better
Sometimes printing is necessary. When there is a need to print, there are steps we can take to be more sustainable and efficient.
Print double-sided to reduce paper usage
Choose black and white instead of colour
Print multiple slides per page for lecture notes
Always preview documents before printing to avoid reprints
Recycle!
When printing can’t be avoided, it’s important that all paper waste is correctly disposed of in one of our designated paper recycling bins (blue bin).
If clean, you can recycle all types of paper in the paper recycling bins, including:
any white or coloured paper
shredded paper
photocopier and computer paper
leaflets, magazines, journals, newspapers and catalogues
envelopes, including those with brown paper and/ or windows
thin card such as cereal packaging and microwave meal sleeves
Books
Please do not put paper coffee cups, waxed paper or sandwich wrappers in the paper bins.
Thank you for reading this blog. Make sure you rethink next time you print!
It is therefore essential we avoid food waste where we can, and that where food waste can’t be avoided, we process it in the best way possible.
Food waste at Newcastle University
In March 2025, the Simpler Recycling legislation came into force, meaning that all UK businesses with 10 or more employees must have food waste segregation and collections in place. While Newcastle University has had food waste caddies and collections for several years on campus, this was expanded to all University-owned accommodation in January 2025.
All food waste is taken by Biffa to a local anaerobic digestion (AD) facility. Here, food waste is processed into fertiliser, as well as a methane-rich ‘biogas’ which is fed back into the national grid.
Newcastle University is highly aware of the issues surrounding food waste and has also implemented several initiatives to combat them, such as:
Giving excess food to local food banks and to our new Student Pantry.
Catered events are advised to order an amount of food which is less than the amount of people visiting so there is less waste.
Ingredients which are left over are used to make other meals if possible.
If one food outlet closes earlier than another, the food is transported to another that is open later.
How to reduce food waste
Want to save some money and produce less food waste? Check out these top tips from Love Food Hate Waste…
Think before you shop
Take a few moments to consider what you need before you hit the shop. Check what you actually need in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards, and plan to use up anything that’s going to expire soon. And don’t forget to take your shopping list with you to keep you on track!
Plan your meals
Create a realistic flexible meal plan, and leave space for a ‘use up fridge food’ meal. Planning for what you’ll eat during the week reduces buying any ‘just in case’ food, saving you money and reducing the possibility of wasting food.
Don’t throw your leftovers
If you have food leftover from a meal, put it in the fridge or freezer. This means you can eat it at a later date, and it doesn’t get wasted!
Top tip: Make sure to label your food with a date so you know how long it has been there to ensure its safe to eat.
Store your food right
Putting your food away in the right places will help keep it fresher for longer. This guide created by Love Food Hate Waste has some great tips about how to best store different food items, and the visual guide below shows what should go where in the fridge.
Get more value and nourishment from your food by eating and using all the edible parts and reduce what goes in the bin. One example would be to save yourself some time by not peeling carrots or potatoes – less food waste and time saved is surely a win-win situation!
Try a food waste app
If you know you won’t use your item and it is still within its use-by date, list it on a food waste app like Olio. This way, you can get rid of items you won’t use and somebody in your community can benefit from a free food donation!
For more good food habits, recipe information and more, visit Love Food Hate Waste.
Last week we hosted the North East’s first LEAF Audit training workshop!
The event was organised by one of our sustainability officers, Phoebe, and was open to all Universities in the region taking part in LEAF. Attendees joined us from Newcastle, Northumbria University and Durham University.
This in person training session was delivered by Caitlin Broadbent a member of the UCL LEAF team, who expertly informed our participants on how to audit a LEAF lab to a high level. A range of discussions of scenarios taking place in labs across the institutions led to some great deliberations. As a result, all workshop attendees are now equipped as LEAF lab auditors!
LEAF Audit Workshop
What is LEAF?
LEAF, or the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework, is an online platform for laboratory users designed by UCL to improve the sustainability and efficiency of working practices within wet labs. Teams work through sustainability actions covering a wide range of topics to reduce waste, water, and energy along with improving the efficiency of other resources aiming to get either a bronze, silver or gold accreditation.
We have a rapidly growing group of LEAF Labs and auditors at Newcastle University, and we’re excited to see how our community grows over 2026.
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 your winter commute!
Prepare your bike
A well-maintained bike is essential during the colder, wetter months.
Attend a Dr Bike session to ensure it is road safe. Find out about our upcoming Dr Bike dates here.
Invest in winter tyres that are wider and puncture resistant if you can
Add mud guards to your bike if possible, they help to protect you and your bike from dirty water and dirt build up on your bike.
Keep your bike cleanto maintain a good condition level
Staying visible
Winter commuting often means riding in the dark. Make sure you are visible on the roads.
Add plenty of lights to your bike, and make sure they meet the legal requirements. Check out Cycling UK’s guide to cycle light regulations that provides detailed guidance.
Wear reflective and bright clothing toincrease your visibility to other road users.
Consider your road positioning and whether it needs to change in low lighting. To learn more, read the Cycle Scheme ‘Road Positioning for cyclists’ page.
Keep warm and dry!
Invest in some warm and waterproof layers and a bag to keep you and your belongings dry on your commute.
Cycling UK recommend thermal gloves and socks, cycling glasses and a buff to keep your head warm under your helmet.
Did you know colleagues can purchase cycling and safety equipment and via the Cyclescheme?
Plan Ahead
Check the weather forecast before heading out on a long ride
Plan your route in advance and test it out in daylight to build confidence
Consider sharing your location with a close friend or family member when you leave and let them know when you have arrived at home or campus
Stay alert to risks and be aware of the noises around you.
Secure Your Bike
Only secure your bike to purpose-designed Sheffield stands, racks or bike parking systems
Ideally use at least one ‘Sold Secure’ certified bicycle lock of at least bronze standard
Double lock your bike where possible using two locks (one at the front and one at the back)
Thank you for reading, happy cycling and stay safe this winter!
Email us at sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk to join the universities Bicycle Users Group on Microsoft Teams!
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 across the UK removed over 764,000 litter items from our beaches, weighing more than 16,800kg. This year’s Great British Beach Clean is running from Friday 19th to Sunday 28th September, and we were proud to play our part in helping protect our local coastline.
Armed with litter pickers, gloves, and clipboards, we spent the afternoon collecting waste along the shoreline, aiming to improve the environment for people and wildlife.
We used the MCS litter survey forms to record the types and amounts of waste we found. These forms are an essential part of the Beach Clean, allowing the MCS to track pollution trends and build evidence to campaign for cleaner seas and stronger environmental policies.
Some of the most commonly found items included:
Small pieces of plastic
Bottle tops and lids
Cigarette butts
Fishing line and small netting fragments
The data we collected will now feed directly into the MCS’s national database, helping researchers and policymakers better understand the scale and sources of beach litter.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part! And we are happy to report there wasn’t an awful lot of litter at the beach, thanks to the local community who regularly litter pick.
Want to get involved? The Great British Beach Clean is running until Sunday 28th September, and there are events happening all over the UK. Visit the Marine Conservation Society website to find out how you can take part and help protect our beaches.
September is a big month for environmental awareness, conscious consumerism, and collective action. Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your impact, here’s what’s coming up next month and how you can get involved!
Organic September
Led by the Soil Association, Organic September celebrates organic food and farming. It’s a chance to learn about the benefits of choosing organic for our health and the planet. This Organic Septembers focus is the connection between healthy soil and healthy food. Try swapping one or two regular shopping items for organic alternatives and support farmers who are working with nature.
Fashion is famously one of the most polluting industries, with millions of clothes ending up in landfill every year. Hosted by Oxfam, Second-hand September encourages people to say no to new clothes for 30 days and take a stance against fast fashion.
Challenge yourself to find an outfit from a thrift shop or host a clothes swap with friends.
Tip: Read our blog for tips on tackling fast fashion.
Photo: Oxfam
World Car Free Day: 22nd September
Join cities around the world in ditching your car for the day. Whether you walk, wheel, take public transport, reducing car use is great for the environment and your health.Map out a car-free route to work/ university and give it a go! Keep an eye on our World Car Free Day events page to find out how Newcastle University are getting involved.
Tip: Cycle in and use our Dr Bike services at Bike Week for free minor repairs!
Recycle Week: 22nd – 28th September
Run by Recycle Now, this national campaign reminds us all to keep recycling correctly. It’s a great time to brush up on what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, and to explore local recycling services.
Tip: Check out our waste A-Z to see what can be recycled on campus.
Great British Beach Clean: 19th – 28th September
Organised by the Marine Conservation Society, the Great British Beach Clean is more than just a litter picking event. Volunteers record the types of litter they find to help push for policy change. There data has helped to make positive change, including the introduction of the plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, better wet wipe labelling, and supporting a tax on single-use plastic items.
This June Newcastle University hosted Discover Fest 2025! A free, one-day festival brimming with family-fun. The activities list overflowed with idea-sparking events, but there was one film screening that caught my eye… With the festival’s focus on the next generation, it’s maybe not at all surprising that the challenge of tackling climate change featured. But the “Climate Change Catastrophe!” film co-created by kids, Newcastle University engineers, and the Cap-a-Pie team, was full of surprises. The film expertly communicates the serious and interwoven issues of climate change with a childlike perspective and an attitude of play. So much so that it manages to, the audience into giggles while educating on a topic many would rather avoid discussing. I had the privilege of catching up with Catherine Walker and Katy Vanden, two instrumental players in bringing the film to the festival. I was keen to learn all about the film, from its very origins to the audience reactions at the festival screening.
First, a video call with Catherine Walker, NUAcT (Newcastle University Academic Track) Fellow in Cities and Place. Catherine’s research encompasses the intersections of young people, climate justice and education, zeroing in on how children are learning and reacting to climate issues. Catherine shared how she seeks in her research to learn from youth perspectives and uplift their voices. When she first encountered the film, she saw it as an incredibly useful way to centre child and youth perspectives at the Discover Festival. She explained that when it comes to climate change “people are fearful about bringing it up with children”. But the film demonstrates that “talking about climate change is not just necessary, it can also be fun, supportive and intergenerational”. On the day, the screening and Q&A sparked cross-generational curiosity in helping unpack these tricky topics. While adults tended to voice more technical and specific questions to the panel, the backdrop of laughter enabled young audience members to voice their questions with the hopeful curiosity and honesty of a primary school class.
Next up a call with Katy Vanden, a producer at Cap-a-Pie. She explained that the film’s primary purpose was to give the young people they work with a voice on an issue that concerns them. Action is a brilliant antidote for anxiety, and that’s true for all generations! By working with Newcastle University academic Dr Alistair Ford to ensure the script was supported by the facts, the kids had the opportunity for empowerment by their newfound knowledge. Katy noted the shelf-life of the film has been even longer than expected. The project began in 2019 and was first shown in 2021. Covid lockdown became the catalyst for filming what was initially exclusively a stage-show! It’s immortalisation on Youtube has enabled its transformation into a 6-episode resource for any and every-one interested. It’s proved particularly useful in schools, used in the programs of at least 10 partner schools in the Northeast and beyond! The film’s use outside of the classroom with mixed generation audiences (such as at Discover Fest) is incredibly impactful. It seems the climate science is even harder to forget when voiced by those who will be most affected in their lifetime. So, this rare opportunity for adults to get children’s view on a crucial topic is priceless as a call to action.
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 of cycling, Newcastle University’s support for cyclists, and relevant resources and events.
Benefits of Cycling
Cycling to work offers a wide range of benefits that impact health, finances, and the environment:
Improved physical and mental health
Cost savings on commuting
Reduced carbon footprint
Avoidance of traffic congestion with more predictable travel times
Increased productivity and energy during the workday
The University supports active travel by providing secure bike storage, showers, and changing facilities to encourage cycling among staff and students. Information on these facilities are available on our cycling page.
Additional resources such as tips on bike storage, cleaning, and repairs are available in our Bike Maintenance Blog.
Staff and students can join the Bicycle Users Group (BUG) on Teams for updates and advice by emailing sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk with the subject line “Join BUG.” We currently have over 460 members on the Teams channel!
The University also participates in the government-backed Cycle to Work Scheme, which enables staff to purchase bikes and safety equipment through salary sacrifice, resulting in significant cost savings. Check out an in-depth description and some handy resources about the scheme on the People Services website.
External Resources and Events
Beyond the University, there are excellent local opportunities to support and encourage cycling. Free confidence sessions are available through The Big Bike Revival, designed to help cyclists of all skill levels build road confidence and improve their skills. These sessions are open to anyone aged 18 and over. See below for dates, or see the website: The Big Bike Revival.
For those looking to plan their cycling routes, Cycling UK offers a handy Journey Planner tool, which helps identify the safest and most efficient paths for commuting by bike: Cycling UK Journey Planner.
Dr Bike: Free Bike Maintenance Sessions
Dr Bike is a free bike maintenance service offered in collaboration with WATBike. These sessions provide minor repairs and comprehensive bike health checks (MOTs) to ensure bicycles are safe and ready for the road.
Since September 2024, a total of 25 Dr Bike sessions have been held across six different campus locations, with 424 bikes serviced so far. Additionally, two Bike Weeks have been organised alongside WATBike to promote cycling and bike maintenance awareness across the University community.
To coincide with Cycle to Work Day, a special Dr Bike session will take place at the Medical School. This session is open to all staff and students, but we recommend arriving early to secure a slot!
Date
Location
Time
What3Words
Thursday 7th August
Medical School Reception Entrance
10:00 am – 15:00 pm
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Tips for New Cyclists
If you’re considering starting your cycling journey, here are some essential tips to ensure safety and security:
Always wear a helmet
Obey traffic lights and road signals
Don’t ride on the pavement unless a sign says you can
Use lights and reflectors so you are clearly visible
Don’t use headphones or a mobile while cycling
Remove lights and accessories from your bicycle when it is parked
Always securely lock your bicycle with at least one ‘Sold Secure’ certified cycle lock and only use purpose-designed Sheffield stands or racks
Don’t leave your bicycle on campus overnight
If possible, arrange adequate insurance to cover any theft or damage to your bicycle
Join BUG to see if colleagues have any other helpful information for you or can supply information about recommended cycle routes
We hope this blog has given you some useful insights and inspired you to consider cycling as part of your daily routine. Happy Cycle to Work Day!
Today, we’re celebrating one of the world’s most overlooked yet vital ecosystems – peatlands! Whether it’s bogs, fens, swamps, or marshes, these incredible landscapes play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.
Although peatlands cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface, they are the largest terrestrial carbon store on the planet, holding an estimated 550 gigatons of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined. Read on to discover what makes peatlands so special, the benefits they offer, and how we can all help to protect them.
What are Peatlands?
Peatlands (or bogs) are areas of wetland with thick layers of decomposed vegetation stored in their soils, and 1 metre of peat takes around 1,000 years to build!
There are three broad peatland types in the UK:
Blanket bog – typically found in the uplands, fed by rainfall. Nutrient poor and acidic.
Raised bog – localised domes, common in lowland areas. Rain fed, nutrient poor and acidic.
Fen – fed by rain and groundwater sources, so differing pH levels from base rich to base poor.
In the North East we have some great examples of peatlands, such as Cuthbert’s Moor in the heart of the Durham Dales and the Border Mires blanket bog next to Kielder Forest.
Cuthberts Moor (Photo: Durham Wildlife Trust)
Benefits of peatlands
Peatlands provide a host of benefits, known as “ecosystem services”, to society. Some of the ecosystem services that peatlands provide include carbon storage, drinking water filtration, flood prevention, wildlife habitats, grazing land and recreational areas. Although in the UK, due to the way peatlands have been managed, peatlands are estimated to be a net source of greenhouse gas emissions i.e. they release more CO2 into the atmosphere than they store.
This damaged peat is often referred to as “wasted peat.”
Protecting Peatlands
Peatlands are under threat, but through restoration, better land management, and community awareness, we can work to restore these amazing landscapes.
The UK government has pledged up to £400 million for nature restoration, including efforts to restore peatlands. There are also consultations underway to extend the ban on burning deep peat, a practice that releases emissions and causes habitat loss.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:
“Our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest and in desperate need of restoration and protection, as this mapping and research work starkly demonstrates.That is why we have announced up to £400m for nature restoration, including of our peatlands, and are consulting on new plans to extend the ban on burning deep peat. This government, as part of our Plan for Change, are committed to expanding nature-rich habitats and turning the tide on nature’s decline after years of neglect.”
As of June 2025, Newcastle University has officially defined the City Campus geoboundary on iNaturalist. This means that any wildlife observations recorded within this area will automatically be grouped under the Newcastle University City Campus project. It’s an important step in helping us better understand the biodiversity across our campus.
Here’s a quick guide to what iNaturalist is, how to get involved, and why these observations matter.
What is iNaturalist?
iNaturalist is a platform used to record and share sightings of wildlife, from foxes and birds to flowers and fungi. Whether you’re an experienced naturalist or just someone who noticed an interesting insect in your garden, the app makes it easy to upload a photo, identify what you saw, and contribute to a growing global biodiversity database.
At Newcastle University, we’re encouraging colleagues, students and visitors to use the iNaturalist Classic app (or the website) to help us document the organisms on our campus. Over time, this data will give us a better sense of which species are thriving and which may need protection.
Image: A map of campus observations so far. Blue pins are bird, red pins are insects, green pins are plants, and pink pins are fungi (Source: iNaturalist 2025).
Making an observation
An observation records an encounter with an organism in a particular time and location. Observations can be uploaded via the mobile app or the webpage.
Making an Observation with the App
Making an Observation with the Website
1. Open the iNaturalist Classic app and tap “Observe.” 2. Add one or more photos or sounds as evidence. 3. Choose what you saw – either from suggested species or by searching. If you are unsure, you can keep the label as simple as “plant” or “insect.” 4. The date and location should be added automatically. If not, check your device’s location and privacy settings. 5. Does the plant look like it was planted by a human? If yes, mark the finding as ‘captive/cultivated’ 6. Tap “Save”, then “Upload” to share your observation. 7. Once uploaded, others in the iNaturalist community can help refine the identification.
1. Log in at iNaturalist and click the green “Upload” button in the header. 2. Drag in one or more photos or use the “Add” button to manually create observation cards. 3. Choose what you saw from suggestions or by searching. If unsure, leave it blank or use a broad category. 4. Use the calendar to record when the observation was made. 5. Enter a location and adjust the map marker and accuracy circle as needed. 6. Does the plant look like it was planted by a human? If yes, mark the finding as ‘captive/cultivated’ 7. Once all details are added, click “Submit.”
iNaturalist have shared a slideshow that contains helpful tips about how to make a good observation. The key principles are:
Take clear, close-up photos
Focus on wild organisms
Document the location
Add an identification
Image: How to upload an observation on the iNaturalist website (Source: iNaturalist, 2025).
Why are observations important?
iNaturalist helps individuals who may not otherwise have the knowledge to identify the biodiversity found around them, it also generates data for scientists and conservationists to help them protect nature.
Newcastle University is currently establishing its biodiversity baseline, we will monitor and measure the data submitted on iNaturalist within our project, as this data set will contribute toward our understanding of biodiversity that is present on our campus. You can find out more about our biodiversity related work on the Sustainable Campus website.
Here are some of our favourite observations of species that were found and submitted on campus over the past few weeks!
If you would like to find out more about other biodiversity initiatives on campus, check out our webpage. For any queries about iNaturalist or sustainability in general, please email us at sustainable-campus@newcasle.ac.uk.
