We aspire to contribute to a sustainable energy future and invest in our planet.

WU is committed to implementing energy conservation practices and measures, reducing our carbon footprint and preserving environmental resources. The Sustainability Action Group closely monitor energy consumption in all of our buildings and are dedicated to understanding how our operations contribute to our carbon footprint.

Our current and future programme of works will maximise the University’s contribution to the goals in the wellbeing of the Future Generations Wales (2015) Act, in particular the ‘A Prosperous Wales’ wellbeing goal. In line with the Sustainable Development Principle, we endeavour to ensure prevention of carbon increase and to meet our emissions targets, reduce light pollution, generate financial savings to sustain further energy saving projects and provide employment opportunities.

Wrexham University aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 and have set the ambitious target of 5% carbon reduction annually from our 2009/10 baseline. Our plans are set out in the Pathway to Carbon Neutral by 2030 plan and Low Carbon Transition and Delivery

Policies

Content Accordions

  • How do we plan to achieve our targets?

    To ensure current and future energy conservation, WU’s Sustainability Action Group is continually investigating potential projects and schemes that will enable us to achieve our objectives to reduce our carbon consumption. Projects, practices and measures are being implemented to reduce our Carbon Footprint and conserve environmental resources wherever achievable and feasible.

    We are consistently monitoring and analysing all of our energy usage through our extensive network of numerous meters, software and invoices, targeting issues where necessary. We have two energy monitoring and targeting (M&T) systems in place, each bringing its own benefits to monitor and target. Our installed sub-meters are set up for monitoring consumption against our specified targets and detecting exceptions with alerts. The systems also assist in monitoring newly implemented projects to evaluate ongoing results. Our software is able to highlight any unexpected issues which can be dealt with on a daily basis as they arise, enabling us to stop unnecessary energy wastage and resulting in negative impacts on our finances. We also evaluate our performance with monthly and annual reports, producing results and targets achieved.

    The issue of energy consumption is now higher up the agenda for staff, students and other stakeholders than ever before, and we continue to develop our plans to reduce our energy consumption for the long-term. By involving all individuals, we are confident we can make a huge difference in reducing our impact on the environment. As well as making carbon savings for Wales and the UK, our financial savings from energy can be ploughed back into improved services for our students.

    By implementing long-term ‘invest to save’ measures and working closely with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, and in conjunction with Carbon Trust Wales, our aim is to continue to make excellent progress in reducing energy and water consumption in our buildings, resulting in improving our Welsh environment.

    Action Plans

    Our Carbon Management Plan provides the details of the steps required to measure, reduce and monitor Wrexham  University’s carbon footprint. It is intended to provide the basis for the detailed work which will be implemented both in terms of infrastructure improvement, but also by achieving efficiency savings from engaging the University’s stakeholders and changing working practice.

    Take a look at:

    • Appendix A, Page 24, Carbon Management Matrix – Embedding. It shows how we embed carbon management within WGU, through corporate strategy, communication, training and student and staff engagement.
    • Appendix B, Page 25, Stakeholder Management, lists clear lines of responsibility for WGU’s carbon management.
    • Appendix D, Page 37, Current/ Future Projects, states the estimated investment needed to achieve our carbon reduction targets.
    • Energy Policy 2018.
    • Energy & Sustainability Management Statement Policy 2020 - Our Energy Policy has been devised to ensure that as we continue to develop as a prosperous University, we will continually assess and improve our energy performance through the support and involvement of all employees.
    • WGU Heating Policy - Our Heating Policy states the University’s aims to comply with Health and Safety requirements, providing reasonable standards of thermal comfort conditions for students and staff whilst minimising emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2.
  • Reporting & Certificates

    Annual energy usage and consumption reports

    Our Sustainability Action Group is committed to reporting publicly on progress each year to show where we are in relation to our carbon reduction targets.

    We are pleased to report WGU is doing well. Wrexham University’s has reduced carbon emissions by 54% in 2021/22 compared to our 2009/10 base year.

    See our Estates Annual report

    Carbon Management Energy Progress

    Display Energy Certificates

    Wrexham University communicate energy efficiency of their buildings using Display Energy Certificates in each building. More than 80% of our buildings are rated as a grade C or above.

     

WU TRAVEL SURVEY

WU conducted a WGU TRAVEL SURVEY 2023. Not only does this survey gather current information about the trip-making characteristics of individuals attending WGU, but we will use the results to further our understanding of the impact, we as a university, we have on carbon emissions in relation to travel.

Take a look at the Travel Data Report 2023

Carbon Footprint - Carbon emission data for student accommodation

As well as encouraging staff, students and visitors to save energy we also look closer to home, literally, on our own doorstep, at our student accommodation and how we can increase environmental awareness, adopting new procedures and reduce our overall carbon emissions. We include our student accommodation energy usage and carbon footprint statistics, along with all of our other buildings annually to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). This is the official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education in the United Kingdom.

Wrexham Student Village is the University owned student accommodation which was acquired in 2018. Since academic year 2018/19 carbon emissions generated from gas, electricity and water usage have reduced by 11%. Overall Wrexham Village carbon emissions make up 10% of the overall University emissions.

Wrexham Village is the only student accommodation provided and supported by Wrexham University.

WGSU Awarded Excellent for Green Impact

Wrexham University’s Students Union take part each academic year in Green Impact which empowers individuals and departments to reduce their environmental impact by encouraging, rewarding and celebrating environmental improvements. Green Impact challenges the University to implement a number of easy, practical actions that will help the environment. This year we are delighted to announce they have been awarded an Excellent scoring 315 out of 500.

You can read the WSU Green Impact Report 2021 and find out all about WSU’s commitment to sustainability and the environment.

Waste

WU currently recycle 32% of waste, but we have set a new target of 50%.

Help us to recycle where you can by finding out where and how your waste should be correctly disposed.

Content Accordions

  • How to recycle your materials

     

    Waste 
    Where does it go?
    General All waste that is currently not able to be recycled and is not classed as hazardous can go in the general waste bin.
    General waste is incinerated to produce energy. If you have larger items that won’t fit in your bin, please contact Estates to arrange for collection.
    Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR) Dry mixed recycling collected is segregated into separate material types at a material recycling centre when it leaves site. The following waste can go into the DMR bins:
    • Cardboard
    • Paper
    • Cans (Drinks & Food)
    • Plastic Bottles & lids
    Please DO NOT put the following waste into the DMR bin:
    • Disposable Coffee cups (they contain a plastic liner)
    • Paper towels/napkins
    • Vegware or other takeaway containers
    • Contaminated food packaging
    Paper Non-confidential paperwork, including magazines, brochures, etc can be disposed of in the dry mixed recycling bins. There is no need to remove staples, but please remove any plastic wrap.
    Confidential paperwork (i.e. any documents containing personal or sensitive data) can be put in the confidential waste bins located throughout campus. All confidential waste is securely shredded and recycled.
    If you have a large amount of paperwork to be recycled or securely destroyed, please contact Estates and we can arrange a collection.
    Food Food bins are available in various locations across campus, including in canteen areas and staff kitchens.
    All food collected is sent to a biodigester which converts the waste into biogas, which is a renewable energy source, and organic matter which is used as a fertiliser.
    Cardboard Cardboard can go in the dry mixed recycling bin for recycling.
    St Asaph have a separate bin for cardboard recycling.
    Glass Separate glass collection points are available in the canteen & Students' Union. All glass collected is recycled.
    Wood Wood is separately collected for recycling. If you have wooden packing materials or other wooden items that need recycling, please contact Estates.
    Metal  Metal is collected for recycling in the maintenance compound. If you have a bin of metal waste to be collected or a large metal item for recycling, please contact Estates.
    Batteries Batteries must be separated for recycling. Old batteries can be dropped off at Estates or the Sports Centre.
    Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Electrical waste includes anything electrical such as laptops, PCs & associated equipment, desk fans, power tools, fridges, cookers and light bulbs.
    Electrical waste is collected for recycling by IT. If you have items to dispose of contact Estates or IT.
    Confidential data stored on hard drives etc will be securely destroyed.
    Printer toners Used printer toners can be returned to IT for recycling.
    Fluorescent tubes/light bulbs Bulbs and florescent tubes are collected separately for recycling. Contact Estates to collect them.
    Hazardous waste Hazardous waste MUST be kept separate from other waste streams. Waste is generally considered hazardous if it contains (or is contaminated with) materials that are hazardous to humans or the environment. Examples include:
    • Asbestos
    • Chemicals (e.g paint, fluorescent tubes, lab chemicals)
    • Batteries
    • Oil
    • Solvents
    • Equipment containing ozone depleting substances (e.g. fridges, chillers etc)
    • Hazardous waste containers
    If you’re unsure if your waste is hazardous contact Estates for advice.
    Books

    Books may be donated to the library if they will be useful to other students. Check with the library by emailing learningresources@glyndwr.ac.uk. Crispin Lane lounge area has a book swap in the old phone box. Check your local staff rooms and rest areas for informal book swap schemes.

    BHF charity collection Donate good quality clothing, paired shoes, books and other good quality items to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Collection boxes are located in the Edward Llwyd Centre, Wrexham Village and Northop Campuses.
    Furniture If you have good quality office furniture that you no longer need, contact Estates. We will try to re-use it elsewhere or work with local charities to donate it.