Staff and Student Engagement

We encourage all students and staff to live and work sustainably and reduce their environmental impact and there are many opportunities to be involved in initiatives and activities taking place on campus. One of the best ways to keep up to date with our initiatives and activities is through our Instagram account.

Go Green Week 

The University hosts an annual Go Green Week in collaboration the Student Union every spring and also puts on events in support of the Winchester City Go Green Week, normally held in the autumn. The most recent university Go Green Week 2025 featured a full and exciting programme of activities including an interactive workshop on hope & resilience to combat climate anxiety, a green space litter pick, and a biodiversity wellness walk.

Campus Blackout 

The University's annual Campus Blackout sees teams of staff and student volunteers switch off computer monitors, lights, printers and other small power in offices and teaching rooms across King Alfred and West Downs quarters on a Friday night. This allows us to demonstrate the positive impact our collective actions can have on the University's carbon footprint and energy bills. The last Campus Blackout event, held April 2025, saw students and staff get together and their switching off actions achieved a 10% reduction in energy use overall in the buildings selected,(compared to a baseline average of the previous two weekends' energy use). 

Bike Doctor

We host a regular Bike Doctor outside the King Alfred Centre, in partnership with Bespoke Biking, where students and staff can bring their bikes for free maintenance checks and minor repairs carried out by qualified mechanics. Dates for the 2024/25 Academic year can be found on the intranet.

Pack For Good

Between April and June the University runs an end-of-year move-out project which supports students to donate unwanted items to a good cause when they move out of halls of residence. Students are provided with bags and stickers for clothing, bedding, homeware, kitchenware, books, and other items such a non-perishable food. Bags are collected weekly from halls, sorted, and donated to local charities around Winchester. 

Water You Waiting For

All staff are encouraged to take part in the Universities water leak campaign- ‘WATER you waiting for’. This campaign is aimed at improving the environmental performance of the university and reducing water leaks across campus. Staff are asked to report any water leaks that they find, and if the leak is verified as being an active leak. Staff are rewarded by a free coffee voucher. This was an exciting new campaign for 2024/25 and was successful in saving around £107 per day, and £169,000 savings per year.

Litter Picks

Students and Staff can take part in regular litter picks throughout the academic year. We are keen to keep our natural environment around Winchester as clean and green as possible while reducing the University’s impact on the environment. If you would like to run your own litter pick or join our next litter pick then reach out to us via email on environment@winchester.ac.uk or contact us through the Meet The Team pages.

My Green Lab Certification

All labs at the university are working towards My Green Lab Certification. This certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. For more information on the green labs certification, please contact environment@winchester.ac.uk 

Hedgehog Friendly Campus

The University of Winchester has been recognised for its hedgehog-friendly campus with a Bronze award from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). The award is the result of years of University-wide teamwork and dedication to a much-loved yet endangered species. There are lots of opportunities and various activities to get involved with throughout the academic year, which range from undertaking surveys and building houses, to fundraising and other awareness raising activities. If you are interested in getting involved please email environment@winchester.ac.uk 

Student Union Sustainability Action 

The University of Winchester Students Union work hard at engaging the student population in sustainability action during their time at the university. More details of SU activities and campaigns can be found on their website- Sustainability @ Winchester Student Union (winchesterstudents.co.uk)

Have Your Say

We are always keen to hear from our students and staff, please email us on environment@winchester.ac.uk or contact us through the Meet The Team pages.