Get involved with the sustainability agenda

Want to get involved with the sustainability agenda at the University of Plymouth? Here's how whether you're staff or student
'What did one pigeon say to the other pigeon?' – two Rock Doves (Columba livia) on lunch break in Drake's Place Reservoir. Captured by Eve Pryor, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, for the 2024 Biodiversity Photography Competition.
Two Rock Doves (Columba livia) on lunch break in Drake's Place Reservoir.
Captured by Eve Pryor, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, for the 2024 Biodiversity Photography Competition.
We have many opportunities at the University, in the Student Union, and in the city to get involved in sustainability. Explore and find out more how you can make difference.
Sustainability events are run across the University for staff and students. Find out what’s on below.

University sustainability activities and initiatives

A bee with a bright orange load of pollen arrives at the hive entrance
Beekeeping Group
For students and staff looks after our beehives, supporting the honeybee as a pollinator.
Bike Cycles
Bicycle User Group
For staff to connect with a network of cyclists and find support.
Fairtrade stamp printed on linen sack
Fairtrade University
Student involvement is an integral piece of our progress toward Fairtrade accreditation.
iNaturalist University of Plymouth account screenshot
iNaturalist
This project is for staff and students to showcase the plant, animal, and fungus diversity of the University.
Getty - internship - office
Micro-Internship opportunities
For students as part of the Careers Service Micro Intern programme.
Community garden
Staff Gardening Group
For staff to connect with other gardeners and support the Physic Garden.
Exterior of UPSU - Students' Union
Student opportunities
UPSU provides many opportunities for students to get involved.
Let's save energy wording and footprint icon
Sustainability Network
Staff are encouraged to become a Sustainability Network Champion.
Sustainable learning
University sustainability learning resources
For staff and students to give you the basics about sustainability at the University.

Sustainability trails and maps

We have created a sustainability map of the campus to give you a tour of the features we use at the University. There are six layers you can switch between: Sustainable Campus, Water Fountains, Cycle Facilities, Specialist Recycling, Biodiversity and EV Charging.
We also have a zero waste map of Plymouth. We detail lots of zero waste shops and second-hand stores in the city to help you reduce your waste, and you can also save money too! Know any more locations that should be on our map? Drop us an email on sustainability@plymouth.ac.uk
Campus sustainability map

Student groups

There are a number of student society groups with UPSU at the University with a focus on sustainability such as: Enviro Soc, vegetarian & vegan society, wildlife and ecological society, the marine biology society, and more. Across our main campus, CobBauge has a dedicated student growing space, where you can see the growing efforts of the UPSU Gardening Society. You can also find specific groups at the University and in the city on our SharePoint page. Even societies and sports clubs without a specific focus on sustainability can get involved through the UPSU Extra Mile Scheme.
The Students' Union also hosts student led volunteering opportunities, such as the Hedgehog Friendly Campus group, actioning biodiversity on campus, as well as opportunities at Dartmoor Zoo and the Barn Owl trust. There are also external opportunities to volunteer, and ways to fundraise on the UPSU volunteering page.

The student voice in sustainability

It’s important that as a University we act in the interests of our students. That’s why we want students to be involved in raising sustainability issues. All the elected student representatives of the Students' Union consider aspects of sustainability, and attend the sustainability decision making groups at the University, including the University Executive Group, and the Sustainability Advisory Group along with its associated subgroups. 
You also have a dedicated part time Environmental Officer who acts as your representative. You too can be part of this process by running for one of these roles – if you have any concerns about what the role actually includes, then you can reach out to UPSU or our team. 
  • Find out more about sustainability decision making and policies . 
  • Raise sustainability concerns with your Students' Union sabbatical officers and the student voice team. 
  • UPSU hosts regular sustainability forums for students to feedback on the Students' Union and University sustainability.
  • You can also email the sustainability team any questions, feedback, or suggestions you might have at sustainability@plymouth.ac.uk
  • Students had the opportunity to take part in a Freshers Climate Fresk in September 2024.

    Students had the opportunity to take part in a Freshers Climate Fresk in September 2024

  • Computer Science students undertook a waste audit in April 2024 to understand current recycling habits at the University as part of an app development.

    Computer Science students undertook a waste audit in April 2024 to understand current recycling habits at the University as part of an app development

  • Students were given a tour of the newly commissioned Water Source Heat Pump in April 2024.

    Students were given a tour of the newly commissioned Water Source Heat Pump in April 2024

  • World Sustainable Procurement Fair was hosted in the Roland Levinsky Building during March 2023.

    World Sustainable Procurement Fair was hosted in the Roland Levinsky Building during March 2024

  • Women's Network taking part in a Climate Fresk during January 2024.

    Women's Network taking place in a Climate Fresk during January 2024

  • Students and staff sowing wildflowers at our North Campus in November 2023.

    Students and staff sowing wildflowers at our North Campus in November 2023

  • Staff undertaking a cycle ride as part of the Bicycle User Group in July 2023.

    Staff undertaking a cycle ride as part of the Bicycle User Group in July 2023

  • Students involved in the Coronation BioBlitz in Drake’s Place on 3rd May 2023

    Rebel Botanists from Green Minds Plymouth were invited to campus to help students and staff identify campus flora in April 2023

  • Students involved in the Coronation BioBlitz

    Students involved in the Coronation BioBlitz in Drake’s Place on 3 May 2023

  • Pollenize facilitating a BioBlitz. credit Chris Parkes

    Pollenize facilitating a BioBlitz of our wildflowers on 27 March 2023, photographed by Chris Parkes

Thinking about your dissertation?

There’s many ways you could use our campus as a real world case study for projects, dissertations and theses. If you’d like to discuss an idea you have with the team, contact us at sustainability@plymouth.ac.uk.
Some sample ideas are listed below:
  • Waste reduction strategies – explore waste management practices, including recycling programs, composting, and initiatives to reduce single-use plastics.
  • Student engagement – investigate the effectiveness of student-led sustainability organisations and campaigns in promoting sustainable practices on campus.
  • Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure – evaluate the development and use of infrastructure to support sustainable transportation options like biking and walking.
  • Sustainable landscaping and biodiversity – explore sustainable landscaping practices and their impact on biodiversity and campus aesthetics.
  • Benchmarking and performance analysis – compare sustainability performance metrics with peer institutions to identify best practices and areas for improvement.
  • Campus dining and sustainable sourcing – explore initiatives to source food sustainably in campus dining facilities, including local, organic, and plant-based options.
  • Stakeholder engagement and collaboration – study the role of various stakeholders, including students, staff, faculty, and community partners, in advancing sustainability initiatives.
  • Smart campus technologies – explore the adoption and impact of smart technologies in managing energy, water, and waste on campus.

External sustainability opportunities

Volunteer with external organisations

Discover more

Sustainability is embedded not just in operations across the University but also in our course provision, education methods and research.

Dartmoor expedition

Sustainability courses and programmes
Plymouth offers a range of sustainability themed courses and programmes across many disciplines.

Sustainability education

Sustainability education
Discover how the Centre for Sustainable Futures works to embed sustainability across our faculties.

Aerial view from high altitude of little planet earth with small village houses and distant green cultivated agricultural fields with growing crops on bright summer evening

Sustainability research
Our Sustainable Earth Institute is about advancing research, knowledge and innovation for a more sustainable Earth.