Green Your Hall or College

Around 2,500 residents live in halls and colleges, making them a vital part of the ANU campus and, with so many people, they also have an impact on the environment, which can be reduced by both staff and residents. Read on to find out what you can do. Simple steps to help green your hall Environmental Management Plan for Student Residences Envonmental Management Plan University Accommodation Committee Meeting Minutes Join your hall's green groups, or start one up Hall and college green groups have introduced many of the environmental management improvements over past years, and are a good way to make a contribution. Contact gop@anu.edu.au to be connected with the current group. Conserve water Report leaks to the front office and take shorter showers. Recycle all your waste You should be able to recycle paper, cardboard, hard plastics, bottles and cans. Use sustainable modes of transport Save money and help the environment by using alternative transport to get around (Any combination of walking, carpooling, cycling, catching the bus...). Switch off your computer monitor If you're leaving your room for more than 10 minutes, turn off your computer monitor. Switch off your light If you're leaving your room for over 15 minutes, turn off your light. Bring your own cups, plates and crockery Ask everyone to bring their own cups, plates and crockery if you're organising an event, avoiding the need for disposables.

Bruce Green members show some of the recyclable or reusable items found during a waste audit of Bruce Hall

Environment stories from Halls & Colleges

Water-saving showers in Toad Hall

In 2002 flow-reducing tap valves were installed at Toad Hall, which are estimated to save several million litres of water and thousands of dollars each year.

Waterless urinal at Ursula Hall

Ursula Hall installed the University’s first waterless urinal in early 2005.

The urinal cost no more than a conventional urinal, but can save up to 50,000 litres of water a year, which is equivalent to an average family’s total water consumption over two months.

Reusing old stuff at Fenner

At Fenner a significant number of residents finish their studies in the middle of the year and leave Canberra. At the end of each semester, Fenner Green actively collects unwanted items from departing residents, ranging from cooking utensils to coat hangers, and holds a re-use day at the beginning of each semester. New and existing residents save money by using recycled items, and less is thrown away. Unwanted clothing items or appliances are then donated to suitable charities.

See also

• ANUSA Environment Department website
  The ANU Students' Association Environment Department is a non-profit body enabling official representation of student views on a wide variety of environmental issues both on and off campus.