Sustainability

We’re setting the bar in sustainability on campus. From reducing waste to composting, the UniBar is leading the way in environmental initiatives.

In 2018, the UniBar was officially acknowledged as an ‘Ocean Friendly’ venue by the Surfrider Foundation Australia. The Ocean Friendly Program recognises businesses who are reducing single-use plastic items and demonstrating a commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts.

UOW Pulse was awarded Winner of the 2018 Green Gown Awards Australasia in the Campus Health, Food & Drink category. The Green Gown Awards is the first and only Award Scheme dedicated to recognising excellence in sustainability within the tertiary education sector in Australasia. The Campus Health, Food & Drink category recognises achievements beyond good practice in the delivery of campus food, drink and hospitality. It celebrates innovation, creativity and consideration for procurement, delivery, communication which has resulted in behaviour changes across staff, students and community.

Some of the incredible initiatives that have been put in place include:

• Reduced waste to landfill by 84% (from 1200L to 1920 L per week).
• Replacing plastic packaging with certifiable alternatives made from renewable resources.
• Replacing single use cups with reusable polycarbonate cups and removing plastic straws has eliminated the use of approximately 50,000 cups and 10,000 straws per year.
• Installation of a Pulpmaster waste to energy system to pulp food waste and compostable food packaging. This system is diverting approximately 2700kg of organic waste from landfill each week.
• Provision of general waste, recycling and organic waste bins. Staff sort through bins to remove contamination before disposal.
• The introduction of a soft plastic bin and recycling process.
• Introduction of a vegan option menu to reduce carbon footprint – UOW was even named Australia’s most Vegan Friendly University by PETA.