Green Newsletter

Autumn 2024 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: 22 Oct 2023

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. Sometimes this feels like such a huge goal that it’s tempting not to try but, if everyone just takes a few small steps, we can all make it to carbon neutral.  

We love Zero Giki which has loads of ideas and allows you set tasks and goals to give you a sense of achievement once you’ve completed something. Something we are working towards is becoming paper free, we’ve already reduced the paper we use for your arrivals by over half and aim to keep lowering this!

Did you know?

Recycling one aluminium can saves enough energy to run a 55-inch HDTV to watch your favourite movie.


Rescue Me!

Each term we look at a different sustainability area and for the Autumn term we start with Recycling. We’ve recently taken part in the WRAP Recycle Week with the mission to “Rescue Me!” This encourages everyone to reduce the amount of stuff we throw away, whether that is by buying less stuff to start with or finding interesting new ways to upcycle and reuse it, and, if you can’t do that, to recycle it correctly to reduce the amount that gets sent to landfill.  

To celebrate, we hosted a range of competitions which you’ll have heard all about earlier in the month: the best suggestion on how to encourage residents to recycle came from a resident at Great Wilkins House in Brighton who suggested a swap shop for students to swap unwanted items.

The quiz we hosted on our socials site had winners from each of our regions (well done, it was a tough one!). We also ran an Upcycling competition, the winner was Libby (Walker St, Preston) who makes amazing flower sculptures from empty plastic bottles.

Each of our sites have recycling opportunities glass, cardboard, tins, batteries, clothes and bric-a-brac, books, electricals and even bras can be recycled. In the new year we’ll be starting to separate food waste too. Ask at your reception for more info about opportunities at your site. 

Did you know?

Recycling helps save energy. If you recycle one glass bottle, it saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours, power a computer for 30 minutes, or a television for 20 minutes.

The Forecast

As well as being passionate about sustainability, we are also slightly obsessed with the weather. As it is starting to get colder, it is 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. Why not take advantage of wanting to cosy up and have a go at some of these autumnal recipes, perfect for using up leftover pumpkins from Halloween.

Got any great 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. We’re also looking for people interested in joining a focus group to help us with our journey to sustainability. If you’re interested, let us know via the GoGreen inbox.


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