How to get involved

Go Green Week

Go Green Week will take place from 13-17 March 2023. Please email environment@derby.ac.uk to book onto an event.

Avoid the disposable cup levy by purchasing a University of Derby reusable cup for half price during Go Green Week and get a free Americano or tea.

Monday 13 March

Event Description Time Place
Union of Students led Litter pick Help the Union tidy up the local area. Plastic bottles collected will be donated to the student project ‘Plastic Fantastic’ and converted in usable items. 13:30 - 16:00 Meet at Info Point, Kedleston Road
Thinking Creatively: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Workshop led by Global Education Derby Showcasing the power and potential of using the SDGs within the curriculum as a catalyst for greater engagement, personal development and social change for young people. 

10:30-11:15 and 12:30-13:15

N414, Kedleston Road

Tuesday 14 March

Event Description Time Place
Hedgehog Tunnel Survey Help the Hedgehog Friendly Campus group survey for hedgehogs.  12:00 - 13:00 Meet outside the Union shop at Kedleston Road
What is Green Criminology? A talk by Andrew Wilson An introduction to green criminology through an exploration of environmental harm, indigenous peoples, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. 13:00 - 14:00 T008, Kedleston Road

Wednesday 15 March

Event Description Time Place
Sustainability Fair

Information stands, clothes/book/seed swap and free bike maintenance. Don’t forget to bring your bike and your unwanted clothes/books/seeds.

10:00 -14:00 Atrium, Kedleston Road
Derbyshire Festival of Business Sustainability Event for small and medium sized businesses   Assisting businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. 7:45 - 11:00 Enterprise Centre 

Thursday 16 March

Event Description Time Place
Buxton Biodiversity Day A day of sowing poppy seeds, building hedgehog houses and insect hotels. 11:30 - 15:00 Devonshire Dome, Buxton 
Climate Action - Carbon Literacy Workshop led by Orla Kelleher and Dr Chris Ribchester Gain an understanding of the actions you can take to act on climate change. 12:00 - 14:00 B117, Kedleston Road
Taking Sustainability Values into your Career session led by Students Organising for Sustainability Training session for students/staff from any programme of study interested in making a positive impact on sustainability in their future career. 14:30 - 16:00 E910, Kedleston Road
Technician led bird, bat and bee habitat making workshop A small group of students and staff will be putting together bird, bat and bee habitats made from reclaimed and biodegradable materials. 13:30 - 16:00 Markeaton Street workshops 

Friday 17 March

Event Description Time Place
Technician led Litter Pick  Help our technicians tidy up the local area. Plastic bottles collected will be donated to the student project ‘Plastic Fantastic’ and converted in usable items.  14:00 - 15:30 Meet at Kedleston Road reception
The Big Switch Off Turn off everything before you head home and let’s see how much carbon we can save. 16:00 All sites

Student and Staff Engagement Plan 2023

Month What Target  Audience How Responsibility Resources Measure
Feb  Sustainable Development Goal Teach-In and Education for Sustainable Development promotion Staff Articles and videos in staff communications Responsible Futures Group Staff time No. of staff signed up
Feb  Fairtrade Fortnight Students and Staff Articles and competitions Fairtrade Committee Staff time Attendees
March  Go Green Week Students and Staff Articles, talks, debates and presentations Environment Team, Union of Students Staff time Attendees
May  Hedgehog Awareness Week Students and Staff Social Media  Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group Student time Attendees, Interaction with posts
June  30 Days Wild Students and Staff Articles and social media Marketing Team Staff time Interactions with posts

All new staff cover environmental awareness as part of the standard induction checklist. It is also included in the mandatory new starter training videos and a key part of the quarterly 'Welcome' events held for all new staff. Staff with any queries are welcome to email the environment team (environment@derby.ac.uk). 

For new students, sustainability is included within the Welcome booklet and the virtual induction provided in September each year.

On-campus allotment project

The Union of Students is launching its allotment project this year, with support from the University Grounds Team. Greenhouses and an allotment space are being set up at Kedleston Road to provide students with the opportunity to grow your own vegetables.