Autumn 2025 Green Newsletter

Each term, we’ll be looking at a new theme and keeping you updated on what we can do to get green!

Published on: 24 Oct 2025

Welcome to our first Green Newsletter of 2025/26! Here at Sanctuary, we are passionate about doing our bit to help the planet and we’d really like you to join in! Our target is to halve our carbon footprint by 2030 and reach carbon neutral by 2050. Each term we’ll be looking at a new theme and keeping you updated on what we can do to be more sustainable! This term our focus is on recycling and what we can all do to reduce waste. We’re proud to say that all our sites offer recycling in different ways, whether that’s clothes donation points, Sanctuary pantries, reuse of items left by previous residents or battery bins; we’re all doing our part to reduce what we send to landfill. Speak to a member of staff on site to find out what’s on offer for you! 

Simpler Recycling

 

This legislation came into force earlier this year in England meaning that most businesses need to separate their waste into four streams: Food (no packaging please), glass (washed and clean), mixed recycling (dry paper and cardboard, clean tins and plastics) and general (everything else). You will have four bins in your kitchen to help you do this and there will be different external bins at all sites for your waste to go into. Our binmen will refuse to remove waste if it is in the wrong bin so please help us to help the environment by managing waste well.  

Carbon footprint 

Getting carbon neutral is something we should all aim for, but it can seem like a pretty big task! Each term we’ll be suggesting small changes you can make to reduce your footprint and sharing some useful tools to help you along the way. To get started on your carbon neutral mission we’d suggest getting an idea of what your footprint is; you can do this by answering a few questions on WWF Footprint Calculator. Once you’ve answered a few questions you can then start to think about ways to reduce your footprint – check out our tips below for some super simple ideas to help get the ball rolling. 

Did you know?

One tree makes around 10,000 sheets of paper. Since April 2020, Sanctuary has cut back on enough paper to save approximately 800 trees... That’s a whole lot less posters! 

Did you know?

Our sites are partnered with British Heart Foundation and various local charities. These partnerships allow us to make sure anything left behind in the summer goes to a good home and not a landfill. 

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle!

  • Your parents have an endless supply of plastic bags for a reason! Try taking your own bags with you next time you nip to the shop, most shops charge for bags now anyway so think of the money you’ll save towards your next coffee... 

  • .. And while you’re thinking of that next latte, why not swap out single-use coffee cups and take your own travel flask? Some coffee shops even offer discount for bringing your own mug 

  • Don’t buy bottled water! Our tap water is some of the best in world and perfectly safe to drink. Bottled water however creates more single use plastic in the world for years to come and creates more carbon in making and transporting the bottles. 

  • Try opting for loose fruit & veg; not only can you pick the best pieces, but you will also be reducing the amount of plastic packaging you take home (we recommend hitting your local market for fresh and cheap produce) 

  • Finally – make the most of the recycling options on site! Ask at reception or drop us an email for more info about what’s on offer for you 

Did you know?

The energy saved by recycling 1 aluminium drink can is enough to power a television for three hours. 

The Forecast

  

As well as being passionate about sustainability, we are also slightly obsessed with the weather. As it starts to get colder, it’s time to get cosy with lovely long coats and fluffy blankets to keep warm. Acclimatize to the weather by getting out and about, invite your new friends for a walk to get to know the local area, its proven to be good for your mental health. We’ll have more info on how to keep toasty on the next edition of our newsletter due to land in January. Until then, make the most of the crisp Autumn days – pumpkin spice latte anyone? Speaking of Autumn, it’ll soon be Halloween. If you are making a spooky lantern, you may want to reduce waste by using the left-over pumpkin to make these delicious treats 

Did you know?

According to the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, wasting food costs the average family £420 a year. If we all stop wasting food that could have been eaten, the CO2 impact would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road. We have some great recipes for using up leftovers on our Socials. 

And finally…

 

You can check out our Sustainability page on our website www.sanctuary.co.uk to see what other goals we are working towards and for more tips on how to save the planet go to Home - SOS UK.

Next term

  

Next term we’ll be focusing on conserving energy, got any ideas or tips to share? Drop an email to our dedicated green inbox (gogreen@sanctuary-students.com) and if we use your tip you’ll win a £10 e-voucher.  

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