Category Archives: Lifestyle

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

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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 what it means for you… 

What is Simpler Recycling?

Under the new requirement, households and workplaces across England will only use four containers for waste: 

  • General waste (non-recyclable materials) 
  • Food waste (collected separately or mixed with garden waste where appropriate) 
  • All other dry recyclable materials (including plastic, metal, and paper) 
  • Glass 

This move is designed to simplify waste collection and increase recycling efficiency. 

Source: Biffa, 2024. 

Who is affected?

The policy will apply to businesses, households, and relevant non-domestic premises (such as universities). Councils and waste collectors will still have flexibility to adjust to local needs. 

Additionally, Simpler Recycling will eliminate the “’postcode lottery” of recycling collection in England, where different councils have historically collected different materials. This change is expected to boost recycling rates, which have flatlined at around 44% – 45% since 2015 (Gov UK, 2024). 

What are the benefits?

  • Saves valuable resources from going to waste and supports the circular economy. 
  • Increases recycling rates, helping England move beyond its recycling plateau. 
  • Simplifies waste collection, making recycling easier for households and businesses. 
  • Standardises recycling practices across the nation, making people recycle correctly no matter where they are in England. 

Simpler Recycling Timeline 

  • 31st March 2025: Businesses with >10 employees and non-domestic premises (such as Newcastle University) in England must arrange for the collection of core recyclable waste streams (glass, metal, plastic, paper, card, and food waste, except for garden waste). 
  • 31st March 2026: Local authorities must collect core recyclable waste streams from all households in England, including weekly food waste collections for most homes. 
  • 31st March 2027: Micro-businesses (fewer than 10 full-time employees) must arrange for the recycling of core waste streams. 
  • 31st March 2027: Introduction of kerbside plastic film collections for households, businesses, and non-domestic premises. 

Source: GOV UK, 2024.

Simpler Recycling is a significant step toward a more efficient and consistent waste management system across England. We hope that the initiative will reduce waste, conserve resources and support a more sustainable future!  

If you would like more information on the Simpler Recycling legislation, click here. If you want to know what Newcastle University is doing to manage waste, check out our Waste and Recycling page. Finally, if you do not have access to the main four waste streams on campus, reach out to us at sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk 

Reference list: 

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

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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 responsible to give you a taste of what these displays have to say.  

“Sustainable Clay” (Hatton Gallery) 

A short chat with Matthew Jarret (the mind behind “Sustainable Clay”) and it was clear to see this display distils the accumulated wisdom of history, alongside many years of conversation, and shifts in the ceramics-sphere.  

Combining Newcastle’s ceramics reputation and the growing environmental concerns of artists, Matthew has sculpted together an insightful exhibition. It tells the tale of the plethora of ways these 12 artists (all linked to Newcastle) are seeking to break from tradition by minimising their planetary impact.   

The videos that accompany each work are the top glaze of the show. Filmmaker Jason Thompson affords each visitor unique access to sit in the artist’s studio and hear their thought process first hand.  

“Everybody owns ceramics… everybody’s got a teapot or a cup or some plates… But we rarely think of where this stuff was mined from, how it was produced, if it was mass produced and the whole environmental footprint” ~ Matthew Jarret 

Growing ecological concern is not unique to artists, let alone ceramicists. This exhibition aims to help us all meaningfully confront one arena of overconsumption which, in doing so, enable us to mould a new pattern of consumption that turns down the temperature on our planetary kiln. 

Hatton Gallery Sustainable Clay, photo taken by Colin Davison

“Eco-Brutalism” as part of “Concrete Dreams” (Farrell Centre) 

Bumping into Owen Hopkins, director of the Farrell Centre, and architect of “Concrete Dreams,” it was impossible to not be intrigued by the network of intersected ideas and concepts that seemed to naturally bubble over in our brief conversation. The exhibition (and its associated talks) creatively articulate these intersectional ties between the built environment, past social imaginaries, and the future narrative of the cityscape.  

One talk, juxtaposingly entitled “Eco-Brutalism” seeks to unpack how buildings that starkly embody masses of carbon, could be creatively adapted to mitigate environmental impact. And how the boldness that first conceptualised them could be harnessed to imagine “new brutalisms.”  

“New brutalisms… architectures that celebrate low carbon materials and techniques with the same vigour that Brutalism celebrated concrete.” ~ Owen Hopkins 

Beyond the planned lectures the exhibition itself offers plenty to spark curiosity, including a city model, built to envision the future of the city. This piece is a favourite, as Owen explains, it “embodies a kind of long-term thinking – and belief in the roles of architecture and planning to reshape the world in positive ways.”  

When it comes to joining the sustainability conversation, the Farrell Centre are crystal clear that climate is too all encompassing to relegate to an optional theme. Instead, they look to weave it into every exhibition, inviting visitors to engage with the built environment as a key to reimaging societal change on a large scale.  

“SHOAL” (Great North Museum) 

The work of Mandy Barker, shown from the 21st of February, is a short series of images, but nonetheless powerful in their ability to cultivate an atmosphere of reflection.  

12 images featuring marine plastic debris collected from trawls, net samples, and shoreline between Japan and Hawaii after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami provoke viewers to contemplate the tragedy of environmental disaster, the impact on humanity, and the human propensity to prevent and contribute towards them.  

This work is indicative of the programme at Great North Museum. Led by innovative research, no matter the scale of installation, they seek to engage both the team and their guests with the conversations that are cornerstone to building a sustainable future.  

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

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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 blog explores the environmental benefits of a vegan diet and shares some helpful resources, recipes, and our favourite local vegan spots to try!  

Environmental Benefits of a Vegan Diet

Cutting down our intake of animal products is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of the agricultural industry (Viroli et al, 2023). Researchers at the University of Oxford found that moving from current diets to a diet that excludes animal products would deliver a 28% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions (Poore and Nemecek, 2018).

“Converting grass into (meat) is like converting coal to energy. It comes with an immense cost in emissions.” –Joseph Poore 

Agriculture uses nearly 40% of land, 70% of freshwater and is responsible for up to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions (Willett, 2019). Moreover, land conversion for food production is the largest driver of global biodiversity loss (ibid). Dairy and meat products have an especially high environmental impact in comparison to other food groups. This because the process of raising animals is overall much more carbon intensive than harvesting plants. Animal-based food production involves clearing forests for animal pasture, making millions of tons of animal feed and large amounts of waste generated from farm animals. It is therefore important that we re-examine what we eat and move towards an eco-friendlier diet. 

Photo:
Tractors at Newcastle University’s Cockle Park Farm by Matt Horne

A recent report by the EAT-Lancet Commission (2019) describes a ‘planetary health plate’. This consists of mostly ‘vegetables and fruits, with the rest made up with whole grains, plant protein sources, unsaturated plant oils, and, occasionally, small amounts of meat or fish.’ Considering this, we have put together some resources to help you reduce your meat consumption.

Top Tips 

  1. Enjoy inadvertently plant-based foods 

Some of your favourite foods might be totally vegan, you have just not realised or known it! 

In almost every global cuisine, there are inadvertently vegan dishes which remain at the heart of every meal. From Indian favourites such as dhal or bhajis/pakoras to Arab plates like falafel and hummus, there is ‘vegan’ food everywhere! Tofu is great example of a naturally plant-based signature ingredient. In South-East Asian meals, it has been used for many years to create delicious dishes.

  1. Reinvent what you know 

A great way to start incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet is to reinvent dishes you know and love. Try swapping some of the meat/dairy ingredients for plant-based alternatives. You might even find you like the vegan alternative better than the original! Check out these recipes for a plant-based chilli, pizza and macaroni cheese.   

  1. Try a non-dairy milk 

Plant-based milks have grown hugely in popularity in recent years due to their environmental credentials. From oat to soya to almond, there is plenty of choice when it comes to milk alternatives! Take your time to try a few different alternatives ‘til you find which one suits you. 

  1. Make small switches 

There are plenty of small switches you can make in your kitchen which can help you make a smooth transition to a more plant-based lifestyle. Trying using oil instead of butter when you cook or maple/golden syrup instead of honey. These changes shouldn’t alter the flavour of your dish too much and puts you well on your way to a more sustainable diet. 

Popular Vegan Spots in Newcastle:

  • Supernatural Café – the first completely plant-based restaurant in the city
  • Veganatomy – vegan Sushi and Banh Mi Bar in Heaton
  • Earthlings – a vegan café
  • SnackWallah – vegan Indian street food
  • Chicken Shack – menu includes a vegan burger. Located in the Students Union
  • The Ship Inn – a pub in Ouseburn with a fully vegan food menu
  • A little Piece of Sky – vegetarian “fish” and chip shop takeaway on Friday Evenings, as well as vegan sweet treats and “sausage” rolls. Located in Heaton
  • Fat Hippo – vegan menu with vegan burgers. Located in Jesmond and the city centre
  • Vegano – vegan burgers, pizzas, pastas, and kebabs. Located in the city centre
Photo: Roast Chicken Seitan at Supernatural Cafe (left) credit: supernaturalnewcastle.com. Food from Veganatomy (right) credit: veganatomy.co.uk

Vegan Recipes:

References

Nemecek, T., 2018. Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), pp.987-992.

Viroli, G., Kalmpourtzidou, A. and Cena, H., 2023. Exploring benefits and barriers of plant-based diets: Health, environmental impact, food accessibility and acceptability. Nutrients, 15(22), p.4723.

Willett, W. et al. (2019) “Food in the Anthropocene: The EAT–lancet commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems,” The Lancet, 393(10170), pp. 447–492. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31788-4. 

Disposing of Disposable Vapes: Environmental Impact and Responsible Solutions

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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 the correct recycling bins (Material Focus, 2023). This blog will explore the environmental dangers posed by these devices, while providing guidance on how to correctly dispose of them. 

Image: Disposable vapes are often encased in colourful plastics, contributing to their detrimental impact on the environment (Source: Waste Managed, 2024). 

Why are disposable vapes an environmental problem? 

From the 1st of June 2025, the sale of disposable vapes will be banned in the UK to protect children’s health as they have become increasingly popular among young people. But why are these devices so bad for the environment? Let’s explore the key reasons…  

  1. They’re made of plastic 

Disposable vapes contribute significantly to the growing problem of plastic waste. Vapes left on the street are likely to break down into microplastics that flow into drains and pollute water systems (Truth Initiative, 2021). They’re also very difficult to recycle as they are made of many different parts including batteries and circuit boards, as well as plastic – components that must be separated. Moreover, plastic takes hundreds of years to breakdown, meaning that your vape will most likely outlive you! 

  1. They contain harmful chemicals 

Vapes are made of plastic casing, lithium batteries, copper wire and other components. Separating these materials during the recycling process is both labour-intensive and expensive. Additionally, the toxic compounds in vapes, are also prone to leach into soil and water systems, contaminating animal habitats.   

Both lithium and copper are finite resources. They are necessary for infrastructure, electric vehicle batteries and charging stations (Sky News, 2024). Using these elements in vape production wastes valuable materials that are essential for advancing green technologies. 

  1. They can cause battery-related fires 

When vapes are crushed, their lithium can overheat and ignite fires. The London Fire Brigade has responded to more than 200 fires caused by lithium batteries in the last two years (BBC News, 2024). If disposable vapes are disposed of in the general waste bin, they are more prone to being crushed and compressed, and therefore more likely to cause fires on waste vehicles and in waste facilities, potentially endangering waste workers and causing unnecessary damage. 

How to dispose of vapes responsibly? 

Up to 80% of a disposable vape can be recycled, and there are two main ways you can dispose of your vapes responsibly: organising a collection, or taking your vape to an electronics recycling station. 

See below for some key recycling points in Newcastle. As shown, most Tesco Express stores have electronic recycling points. Many points are also near the University campus, making it extra convenient for disposal! 

Image: Some key locations around Newcastle that contain bins for electronic devices, e.g. vapes.  

A second option for disposal is arranging a Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collection to your house. These are free for all Newcastle City Council residents who have their own front door access on the ground floor. Simply book a day online, and leave your vape(s) on your doorstep inside a plastic bag the night before. Your items will be collected and disposed of safely. 

Final thoughts

In conclusion, while purchasing a disposable vape may seem convenient, its disposal is far from simple. As their banning date becomes imminent, it is essential to ensure that any remaining devices are disposed of responsibly. An item that may only last you a week, could be harming the planet for decades!  

For more information on recycling items on campus, check out our Waste A-Z. If you would like to search for your nearest electronic recycling point, use the handy Recycle Your Electricals search engine. To book a WEEE collection, visit the Newcastle City Council booking page. 

Reference List:

BBC News. (2024). The environmental impact of disposable vapes. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy943vpr7vgo 

Material Focus. (2023.). Disposable single-use vapes thrown away have quadrupled to 5 million per week. https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/press-releases/disposable-single-use-vapes-thrown-away-have-quadrupled-to-5-million-per-week/#:~:text=Material%20Focus%20has%20found%20that%20UK%20adults%20report,could%20instead%20be%20powering%20nearly%205%2C000%20electric%20vehicles  

Sky News. (2023). Why are disposable vapes bad for the environment? https://news.sky.com/story/why-are-disposable-vapes-bad-for-the-environment-13059299 

Truth Initiative. (2021). The toxic plastic problem: E-cigarette waste and the environment. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effects-tobacco/toxic-plastic-problem-e-cigarette-waste-and-environment 

Waste Managed. (2024). How to dispose of vapes: Are they recyclable? https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/our-news/recycling/how-to-dispose-of-vapes-are-they-recyclable/ 

Food Waste Bins Are Coming to Your Kitchen!

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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 started. Here’s everything you need to know…

Image: The new food waste caddies. The left bin has a capacity of 7.5 litres, while the right bin holds 5 litres.

What Can Go in the Food Waste Caddy?

You can put almost any type of food waste into the bin, whether it’s cooked or raw. Here are some examples:

  • Grains, pulses, and vegetables
  • Meats, pastries, and eggs
  • Bones and small teabags

What Should Stay Out?

There are a few items that should never go in the caddy:

  • Packaging of any kind (even if it’s food-stained or says its biodegradable)
  • Tinfoil or glass
  • Liquids (these can make a mess!)

Using the Bin Liners

We’ll provide you with bin liners for your food caddy, which are removed during processing. If you run out of liners, please ask at your reception for a refill.

Taking Out Your Food Waste

When your caddy is full, follow these steps:

  1. Tie the bag tightly to prevent spills.
  2. Head to your accommodation’s rubbish site.
  3. Look for the red wheelie bin marked “FOOD WASTE” near the recycling stations and place your bag inside

Where Does Your Food Waste Go?

Once collected, your food waste is transported by our waste contractor, Biffa, to GAP Organics in Gateshead. There, it’s transformed through an anaerobic digestion (AD) process into fertiliser and green energy, contributing to a more sustainable planet.

Image: The different CO2 impacts of food waste disposal via landfill, composting and anaerobic digestion. Source: Biffa.

This is the life cycle of your food waste! Keep an eye out for your new green caddies and remember to follow the guidelines. Let’s work together to reduce waste and make a positive environmental impact.

If you have any questions about the caddies, or waste, check out our Waste A-Z or contact us at sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk.

Happy New Year!

Colleague Volunteering: National Trust Gardeners for the Day

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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 grade 1 listed building in Northumberland, with stunning formal gardens and relaxed, biodiverse woodlands. The property was designed in 1718 for Admiral George Delaval.

Photo: Seaton Delaval Hall

Our role

The lovely team of gardeners briefed us on our role for the day – to assist with digging, weeding and pathway edging in the Oval. The Oval Garden was once the location for the notorious Delaval parties, but today it is a perfect space for a peaceful walk or picnic. We made our way around the perimeter of The Oval using shovels, lawn edging tools and leaf rakes to create a border between the lawn and the hedge. Volunteering provided a great opportunity to spend some time outside and we also spotted a variety of wildlife including pheasants, a 22-spot yellow ladybird, and a lot of worms! It was great to get stuck in, and (especially as a new member of the team), get to know everyone a bit better in a relaxed setting.

After a coffee and lunch break at the on-site Brewhouse Café, we got back to work and finished off the job. As a thank you for our help, Senior Gardener Sarah Peilow gave us a tour of the grade 2 listed Seaton Delaval Hall gardens, where we got to see the Halloween decorations around the hall, and the vibrant garden.

Photo: The Oval Garden

Benefits of Volunteering

  • It is a fulfilling way to spend the day!
  • You can chat to new people and gain valuable skills.
  • It can make a positive difference to our local community.
  • It can strengthen your teamwork abilities!
  • It can enhance your mental and physical wellbeing.
  • If you partake in volunteering outdoors, it can provide opportunities for colleagues to build a connection with the environment and local wildlife.

Thank you so much to the team at Seaton Delaval Hall for being so welcoming and supportive throughout the day, and for the work they do to keep the site so beautiful. Also, thank you to James Adshead for organising the day! I would highly recommend for other colleagues at the university to take advantage of the volunteer scheme which offers two paid volunteering days with a charity each year. More information on the colleague volunteer scheme can be found here, and find out how you can volunteer at Seaton Delaval Hall here.

Photo: Team photo

References

National Trust, 2023. Seaton Delaval Hall. Available at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall?awc=3795_1730111269_89f2fe73ec40fc50fb7dc0077ab113f5&campid=Affiliates_Central_Mem_AWIN_Standard&aff=271445&dclid=CIKW-NzusIkDFe9GHQkdq8su6w (Accessed 4 Nov, 2024).

Second Hand Santa: and other sustainable swaps for your office

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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 look at the ideas below!   

Second Hand Santa  

According to Hubbub’s poll last year (2023) £280 million was spent on Secret Santa gifts for colleagues. However, only a third of these were reported as useful. Many of these gifts didn’t even make it home from the office party!  

Buck the trend this year by opting for a Second Hand Santa. It operates identically to a Secret Santa apart from one detail. ALL gifts are thrifted, regifted, or handmade. Charity shops are the gift that keep on giving here. Practical and genuinely useful gifts are the most sustainable, and charity shops can offer a spark of inspiration for truly thoughtful presents that actually stick to the Secret Santa budget! If gifts to provide a laugh are more your métier don’t worry! Charity shops also provide a long list of weird and wonderful items you can entrust to your colleagues to treasure.

Thriftmas Jumper Day  

Have you previously been a victim of Christmas Jumper day? Many of us have found ourselves making a last-minute jumper purchase that we know we will never ever wear again. But we bought it anyway to avoid becoming the office Grinch.      

Why not take the pressure off this year? With plenty of early warning and an active encouragement to wear already owned, thrifted, borrowed, and festively adapted jumpers, sustainable festive fun is possible! Extra points if you can source an authentic ugly or vintage Christmas jumper lovingly knitted for a festive season long ago.   

Positive Party Planning 

Excited to celebrate the past year of hard work? Why not add to the reasons to celebrate by making some sustainable swaps to your seasonal shindig? You could: 

  • Organise carpooling / lift sharing to and from the event   
  • Make sure the menu has a GOOD plant-based option (so it’s more likely to be chosen)   
  • An entirely vegetarian/ vegan menu (or even just the sides/ starters)  
  • Encourage colleagues to bring Tupperware to take any leftovers home   
  • Consider skipping crackers and just buy paper party hats instead!  
  • DIY/ purchase 2nd hand/ rent festive decorations

Check out Hubbub for more ideas and resources for this December (and the new year). Happy celebrating! 

3 Ways to Upcycle and Update your Wardrobe this November 

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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, and reduce your carbon footprint! 

Fast fashion is arguably the most common impulse buy. Fashion production is detrimental to the environment, being responsible for 10% of total global carbon emissions (Business Insider, 2019.) We live in a world where trends last for less than a month, forcing us to constantly change our wardrobe. In this blog, I will be sharing 3 different ways you can update your existing wardrobe using household items and thereby reducing your impact on the earth! 

Attach a patch 

Patches are the perfect way to fix a hole in your favourite jeans or to decorate a plain top you haven’t worn in a while. A current trend I’ve been seeing a lot recently is star patches on clothes. Instead of buying into this microtrend, I will try to DIY my own version… 

  1. Firstly, find a piece of scrap fabric in your house- this could be from an old bag, tablecloth, or jeans.  
  1. I’m going to trace my patch design onto a piece of paper and cut it out.  
  1. Place the patch template onto your fabric, pin it in place and cut around it.  
  1. Pin the patch into place over the hole you want to fix or the area you want to embellish. 
  1. Finally, using a simple running stitch or more advanced blanket stitch, secure your patch into place. 

Quick and eco-friendly! 

Fun with fur 

With winter on the rise, faux fur is becoming a staple in people’s wardrobes. Instead of buying new, you can upcycle an old coat with scrap fur. If you can’t find any fur at home, I recommend looking for any offcuts or old pillows in charity shops- remember it’s Nothing New November, so buying second hand is encouraged! 

  1. I’m choosing to embellish my old leather jacket. Try find an item you haven’t won in a while or an item you find plain. Next, decide what aspects you are going to add fur onto, e.g. the collar, the pockets, the cuffs, etc… 
  1. You’re then going to trace a rough outline of these components onto a scrap piece of paper – it’s always better to overestimate outlines.  
  1. Cut the templates out and pin them to your fur. 
  1. Just like the patch, cut around the paper outlines into your fur and pin the fur sections to their corresponding sections on your jacket. 
  1. To keep the fur in place, use a whip stitch, or running stitch, securing the fur to the edges of your collar or cuff. Fur is a very forgiving fabric, so don’t worry too much about being neat! 

This tip is both trendy and cozy! 

Embroider and embellish 

Embroidery is a quick and easy way to add a motif or design to any plain pieces of clothing. To add an extra touch, you could include leftover beads or buttons to your design.  

  1. It’s always helpful to sketch your design first, choosing what colours and what type of stitch your design will use. I’ve seen this cherry design all over my Pinterest feed! 
  1. Next, do a rough outline of your design onto the clothing fabric. This outline will be covered by stitching later, so don’t worry about leaving marks. 
  1. For this DIY, find your thickest thread, or double your thread up before putting into the needle.  
  1. Use small stitches to fill up your design.  
  1. If you want to challenge yourself, experiment with French knots, chain stitches or cross stitches to decorate your design. 

What a cute look! 

The best thing about these three projects, is that they can easily be reversed. If you decide you’re no longer keen on a star patch, simply unpick the stitches and change it out. The same goes for the fur or the embroidery. By constantly customising the pieces in your wardrobe, you can keep up with trends, save your money, and reduce your environmental impact.

For more tips on eco-friendly fashion, see our sustainable fashion tips blog here. To find out more about what we do at Sustainable Campus, click here. 

Thanks for reading! 

References: 

McFall-Johnsen, M. (2019) The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet., Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10 (Accessed: 07 November 2024).  

Reuse, Refill, Recycle

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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 cut our carbon footprint (Keep Britain Tidy, 2024).  

As part of Nothing New November, we have been thinking of ways to shop for essentials in a more planet friendly way! So, this month I have been exploring the independent, sustainable shops in and around Newcastle. I hope this blog will encourage others to pay these amazing little shops a visit, and we can all try to be a bit more mindful about the things we buy, and the waste we create.

How to use a re-fill shop?

Using a re-fill shop can seem a bit daunting if you haven’t done it before, so I’ve put together some tips to help first time shoppers:

  1. Collect some empty containers, glass jars work well. Often the re-fill shops have some you can buy too so don’t worry if you don’t have any.
  2. Take a list of items you’d like to buy with rough measurements of how much you need, and head to the re-fill shop with your clean, empty containers.
  3. When you arrive, speak to the staff! They are always so helpful and explain the process to you. But normally they weigh your empty jars before you fill them up.
  4. Then just fill up your jars with whatever you please and the containers will be weighed again, and price totalled up at the till like any other shop.
  5. Enjoy all your plastic free goodies!

Re-fill shops around Newcastle

  1. 109 General Store, Heaton
Image: 109 General Store

109 General Store is a family run low-waste general store located on Heaton Park Road. They have a variety of green cleaning products, sweet treats, fruit, veg, local eggs and fresh bread from Northern Rye. The in-store staff are friendly and are happy to help customers, or you can order food online for click and collect. I often do my weekly shop here then pop next door to their sister shop Heaton Perk for a coffee, Newcastle’s only coffee shop exclusively using glass bottled dairy milk.

2. Ernie, Stepney Road, Ouseburn

Ernie is a small deli shop located in Ouseburn which sells organic veg, household refills, and unique local cooking items and gifts from sustainable and small businesses. You can order locally sourced fresh produce to your door using Ernie’s fresh delivery service, delivered on Fridays by bicycle!

‘Real people, real food, less is more, buy less, buy better – making a difference is always within reach.’

(Ernie Ouseburn, 2024)
Image: Ernie, taken from Ernie.com

3. Buy the Kilo, Tynemouth

Buy the kilo is another family-run refill shop located on platform one of Tynemouth metro station. After a walk on the beach, I stopped off to check out this shop and pick up some oat milk. The shop is hidden down a little alley of independent businesses in shipping containers, which if you’re not looking for you probably would never notice! It was my first time visiting the shop, and the ladies working in the shop were more than happy to help and walked me through exactly how to work the weighing system. The shop also exhibits artists’ work that highlights issues about the environment, making it a must visit if you’re in Tynemouth!

Image: Buy the Kilo

Thank you for reading this blog, I hope you enjoyed it! A big thank you to the owners of these shops for all their efforts in reducing waste. Let us know in the comments if you visit any!

The 2024 Christmas Switch Off at Newcastle University

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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 be turned off, we will reduce our energy consumption across the campus. The Christmas Switch Off campaign has been run for a number of years to minimise energy wastage and contribute to our carbon reduction targets.

We also hope that promoting of the Christmas Switch Off will promote positive behaviour change more widely and remind colleagues and students to minimise their energy wastage by remembering to switch off what they can every day.

Who participates in the Switch Off?

We would like everyone at the university to participate if they are able to, that includes staff and students across labs, offices, and accommodation. The advice on what to turn off will vary for each location – guidance on what should be switched off is in this blog post. 

When switching off your work area, it can be helpful to organise a switch off team that can check each area after most people have left for the term to ensure everything that can be switched off, has been.

Here are some examples of items that could be switched in various area across campus:

  • Staff working in offices: Lighting, computers, monitors, printers and photocopiers, kettles and fridges (after they have been emptied and cleaned). Also, it is important to make sure that all windows have been properly closed. 
  • Labs and medical buildings: All the above can be applied in addition to drying cupboards, fume cupboards and fridges/freezers that will not be in use over the break (please do not turn off equipment that is in use).

Many students leave their accommodation over the Christmas break, meaning their accommodation will be empty over the holidays. If you are going away over the winter break, there are a few things that you could do before you leave:

  • Clean out and defrost your fridges and freezers the day before you leave by turning them off at the wall and popping a towel underneath to soak up the melted ice.
  • Turn off your kettles and toasters at the wall.
  • If there is a wall switch for your oven this is also a good thing to turn off easily, as well as lights and plug sockets.

For more switch off information, visit the Sustainable Campus website: https://bit.ly/3OP5yLN

If you have any questions or ideas about the Christmas Switch Off, please email the Sustainability Team at sustainable-campus@ncl.ac.uk

Thank you for reading!