Environment, energy and sustainability

There are many simple but important measures you can take on a daily basis for living sustainably when in University residences.

Electricity

  • Turn off your lights whenever possible especially when your room is unoccupied.
  • Use energy-efficient light bulbs: they last up to ten times longer than an ordinary bulb and 100W energy saving bulbs can save you up to £60 over the lifetime of the bulb.
  • Switch off all electrical appliances when they are not in use and turned off at the socket. Leaving items on standby still use up to 75% of the power.
  • Switch off mobile phone and laptop chargers when not in use.
  • Turn down the heater and keep cosy with a jumper and a thick pair of socks.
  • Turn off the heater when you open your window.
  • Up to 35% of heat is lost through the roof and windows. Close your curtains at night in order to retain 
    the heat from the day in your room.

Water

  • Cut down on your shower time. It is a massive energy user. Challenge yourself to four minutes or less.
  • Do not leave the water running while you brush your teeth. On average a person uses 150 litres of water a day, one third of which goes straight down the drain without being used.
  • Buy a water filter and avoid plastic water bottles.
  • Report dripping taps to the Residence Management Team who will arrange to have them fixed.

In the kitchen

  • Put a lid on your saucepan to reduce the amount of heat that escapes.
  • Only put as much water as you need in the kettle. It will take less time to boil which makes for a quicker cup of tea!
  • Allow food to cool before putting it in the fridge or freezer (also better for health and safety reasons!).
  • Do not leave the fridge or freezer door open for any longer than necessary.
  • Eat a vegetarian meal at least once a week: meat and dairy products have the highest carbon footprints of any food group.

In the laundry room

  • Wash your clothes at 30 or 40 degrees celcius - that is enough to clean them and remove all but the toughest stains.
  • Save up your dirty laundry and do full loads to save energy. If you are not doing a full load of washing, use the half-load/ economy setting.

Recycling

Make good use of the recycling facilities located around St Andrews and in the halls of residence.

You are responsible for recycling all paper within your bedroom. Re-use items as much as possible and challenge yourself to repair things when they break instead of throwing them away or advertise them on St AndRe-Us.

Some halls offer waste bins where you can dispose of peelings, coffee grinds and leftovers. The waste is then taken to an anaerobic digester that produces gas, electricity and compost so it is important that no plastic or metal is included.

Hall Environment Representative – Be a Champion

Think global and act local by running for Environmental Representative in your Hall Committee.

Environmental representatives can help by coordinating efforts towards the Interhall Energy Competition, hosting movie nights and green-themed events, improving signs and recycling efforts in hall or find ways to reduce the residents’ carbon footprint.

If you are a resident, your Environmental Rep is also the person you should approach if you have any questions or concerns of an environmental nature.

They will always be receptive to any good suggestions or ideas; Hall Committees are there to represent its student residents.

Travel and parking

The University actively encourages all staff and students to use alternatives to the private car for getting about.

St Andrews is a small town and most places can be reached within 30 minutes by foot.

St Andrews also benefits from regular bus services to Leuchars train station, Dundee, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy, all of which have further onward regular transport links to Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond.

The bus routes can be viewed at: www.stagecoachbus.com

Cycling is a popular method of transport for students and there are several cycle routes in the town which can be viewed on the Transitions St Andrews website.

Car clubs provide easy and affordable access to cars and vans whenever you need them. Just book, drive and return the car.

If you have no alterntive but to bring your own car, car parking is available at Agnes Blackadder Hall (incorporating Andrew Melville Hall car park), Albany Park, David Russell Apartments and Fife Park Apartments.

You do not have to be a resident of one of these halls to apply for a permit.

A valid permit must be displayed and can be obtained from the Estates department by calling 01334 46 3999 or applying online.

Parking in staff car parks is not permitted.