Dr Victoria Hands, the new Director of the Sustainability Hub has been in post for 2 weeks now. We catch up with her to hear about her early days at KU; she shares her first impressions of Kingston University as well as the highlights of her first two weeks. Please click here to read on.

The Graduations and Events team has opted for the ‘potted plants’ option to decorate the University’s graduation ceremonies. This was in a bid to stay away from buying cut flowers which they found to be expensive and very unsustainable both in the way they are produced and because of their short ‘lifetime’. The potted plants will be put on campus and the empty pots, sent back to the florist for re-use in a future ceremony. Roses used in last year’s ceremonies have been planted at Kingston Hill, and this year’s cyclamen and ivy will be used to boost the front shrub bed at Penrhyn Road. Click here to find out more.

Start putting aside any clothes or books you no longer need (at home or in your office). A clothes and book swapshop will take place at the University on Friday 10th February as part of Go Green Week. If you would like to drop them off at the Hub in the week leading up to the event, please bag your items, attach a note to it with your full name and a contact number and bring them to our office. You will be able to collect your swapping vouchers at the event itself.

Following our first meeting last semester, in early December Kingston signed a 3 year accord with TLS and the DVC backed our continued partnership subscription into 2012-13. We are now going through a planning phase; Kim Bailey, a Kingston alumna, and former waste and sustainability expert at Surrey County Council is now volunteering with TLS and one of her key priorities is securing joint ‘action projects’ for KU and TLS. Kim will start consulting soon. If you have ideas for the partnership, want to join this liaison group or attend the next meeting on 8th February, please email Kat Eames. You can also read the minutes from the last meeting here.

Thank you if you participated in the travel survey last year during Travel Week. The survey focussed on modes of transport used by staff and students. Results indicated a large proportion of students travel significant distance by train or tube then complete their journeys by bus or on foot. The usage of public transport and the University’s own bus service is high. A significant number of students are travelling by car and using free parking in local streets or on a friend’s drive. Results indicate a 17% decrease (52% to 35%) in staff commuting by car, and 57% of staff said they would consider car sharing. If you are thinking about your travel choices you could try ditching the car for a day and hopping on a bus. You could also check out Kingston University lift sharing scheme and meet some new people. There will be more sustainable travel opportunities during Go Green Week this month; please refer to the events column for more information. The travel plan is now being updated and will consider your valuable feedback and comments.

KUSCO have been hard at work over the last few months, continuing to embed sustainability into their services. As such, KUSCO have trained up over 20 of their core staff to the recognised IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) Foundation Certificate. KUSCO staff are looking forward to integrating their new knowledge and skills into their work, helping to make our University a more sustainable institution.

After hosting staff and students from the Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg over the last year, 2 Kingston members of staff were recently invited to complete the staff exchange by travelling to Oldenburg, giving a presentation of recent projects, and working there for a week. Dr Kat Eames from the Sustainability Hub spoke about our work here in the Hub while Dr Kerry Brown from the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment presented findings from his recent research into Madagascar’s ecosystems. Both visits have also opened the possibility of research and other project collaborations in the future. The trips were funded by the Erasmus Staff Mobility Programme (access restricted to staff). If you would like to hear more about the trips please email Kat Eames. If you are looking into doing an Erasmus exchange yourself you can email the European and Study Abroad Office.

When you’re buying new furniture and products for your home, have you ever thought about visiting a reuse organisation? The Surrey Reuse Network offers a wide range of good quality items at affordable prices. Made up of a group of six charities, the network aims to find new homes for donated furniture and kitchen appliances, as well as offering training and employment opportunities and helping local families in need. To find your nearest reuse showroom call 0800 082 0180 or visit the Surrey Reuse Network website.

Do you work/study in a sustainable lab? Think about applying for the new laboratory awards recently launched by S-Lab! The scheme aims to recognise excellence in laboratory design, operation and management in all sectors, and in laboratory-based teaching and learning within educational institutions, that creates improved performance whilst enhancing safety and sustainability. One of the 7 lab award categories is ‘Laboratory Environmental Improvement’. There is a 2-stage application process, with applications for Stage 1 (a short 3 page application) due in by 29 February 2012. Winners will be announced at the S-Lab conference on 12-13 June 2012. Click here for more information and to get an application form.