Environment & Sustainability Team: University of Salford

02/09/2026

Between May and August, we have

A campaign we run that allows our green spaces across campus to grow wild. Giving nature time to thrive we're providing food and habitat for many creatures across campus. From butterflies to bees to creatures even bigger!

We've seen lots of plant species thriving during Let it Grow, such as Common Scabious, Ragged Robbin and Bee Orchids. We've also found many creatures enjoying these spaces, with many different types of bees, Common Blue Butterflies and even local deer.

As well as supporting local wildlife, Let It Grow helps keep soils healthy and locks in carbon helping it act as a valuable carbon store.

What's been your favourite Let It Grow site on campus?

18/08/2026

Recently we delivered sustainability training to our newly appointed Students' Union Officers. Firstly we explored what sustainability is and highlighted some of the many Sustainable Development Goals that relate to action happening across the University. After delving into why sustainability is important and our University Sustainability strategy, we discussed what our Officers can do to support a Sustainable Salford, particularly around work in embedding Education for Sustainable Development. We also had a game of How Bad Are Bananas!

Thank you to Ammaria, Esther, Muyiwa, Tobe and Zainab for sharing your ideas and engaging with our activities - it was great to see how passionate you all are about sustainability.

Each year following the training, the Officers decide who will be the Student Officer Sustainability Champion, and we're excited to announce that for 2026/27 we have two! Ammaria Saadat -Business Officer and Tobenna Ndukwe - SU President.

As Sustainability Champions, they will bring sustainability to the forefront of the work being done in their role as Officers. We're looking forward to collaborating with them across their term in supporting a Sustainable Salford.

04/08/2026

Over the past few months our Biodiversity and Sustainability Intern has helped deliver a range of projects that support nature across the University of Salford.

Iona developed resources to support bat conservation, installed hedgehog houses and presented about pollinators and biodiversity. The internship has contributed to making our campus a more wildlife friendly place.

Iona also showcased the University's biodiversity work to international visitors, supported the Big Butterfly Count, explored opportunities for new living walls and worked with local partners to enhance habitats for wildlife. Iona will be missed and we’re excited to see where she takes her talents next!

Read more about Iona's experience here https://blogs.salford.ac.uk/environmental-sustainability/2026/08/04/biodiversity-and-sustainability-internship-making-a-difference-for-nature-on-campus-and-beyond/

03/08/2026

🦋 Explore the wild side of campus with us! 🦋

Join our Sustainability Team for a relaxed lunchtime walk around campus. We will visit some of our biodiversity hotspots and discover the amazing wildlife right on our doorstep.

There will be species ID sheets where you will learn more about the plants and animals that call our campus home.

As part of the walk we will also be taking part in the Big Butterfly Count! This will help to record butterfly sightings and support conservation efforts.

To help with this download the iNaturalist app to record and identify wildlife across campus. This will help us better support nature and biodiversity. You can sign up here: https://www.inaturalist.org/home

📅 When: Friday 14 August 12:30pm to 1:30pm
📍Where: Meet outside Clifford Whitworth Library
Sign up to the event with this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/4WMR84nfXg

Don't miss this chance to connect with nature and butterflies!

29/07/2026

What events were on for Plastic Free July?

We have held several events throughout this month. This included:
A fantastic Plastic Free Garden Party, where everyone came together at the Community Growing Space.

A Plastic Free Picnic held at the MediaCity campus. There is another Plastic Free Picnic taking place at Peel Park tomorrow!

Community gardening sessions at the Community Growing Space.
Nature walks around campus, informing staff, students and the local community about biodiversity, including butterfly-themed walks.

Plastic Free July comes to an end but our actions don't have to

Plastic Free July may be ending, but there are plenty of ways to continue making a positive impact. You can help by reducing your use of single-use plastics and choosing reusable alternatives wherever possible.

A great action to start with is using a reusable water bottle instead of a disposable plastic one. Not only is this better for the environment, but it may also help reduce your exposure to microplastics. Researchers in the United States found that, on average, bottled water contained around 240,000 pieces of microplastic per litre.

For more information on reducing single-use plastics, check out our webpage: https://www.salford.ac.uk/environmental-sustainability/waste/single-use-plastic

24/07/2026

What has Atmosphere done to reduce plastic?

Kieran from the University of Salford Students Union is here to explain how their reusable cup initiative has made a big impact. Not only has the scheme helped to reduce single use plastic waste but it has also delivered cost savings and proved extremely popular with students. The cups were designed by students, for students.

Building on the success of this initiative, the team has been inspired to explore further sustainable solutions including the development of reusable coffee cups that would also be designed by students.

Kieran is a fantastic example of someone dedicated to supporting his team, students and the wider community. His work highlights the 'Power of US' between the University of Salford and the Students Union in driving positive environmental change.

Find out more about single use plastic use on our website: https://www.salford.ac.uk/environmental-sustainability/waste/single-use-plastic

22/07/2026

Congratulations to MARC the Printers on becoming a Plastic Free Champion! Through the Plastic Free Communities campaign (Run by Surfer’s Against Sewage in partnership with The University of Salford) local organisations, businesses and residents are working together to reduce avoidable single use plastics and towards creating a lasting environmental change. MARC the Printers has been leading by example for 50 years:

-Vegetable-based inks that contain no solvent based chemicals linked to harmful emissions
-Prints use low energy Risograph machines which require no heat during the printing process
-No waste ink, wash downed chemicals or disposable aluminium printing plates
-Uses 100% post-consumer recycled paper and card for standard white stock
-No printing on glossy paper – this avoids materials from environmentally damaging China Clay Mining
-Reuse of waste paper in house before it is recycled locally
-Offers one of the region's widest ranges of recycled papers, coloured papers and card
-Encouraging customers to make more sustainable printing choices through education and awareness
Their commitment to environmentally responsible practices makes them a worthy Plastic Free Champion and brings us one step closer to a cleaner and greener community.

17/07/2026

It’s Plastic Free July! 🌍Did you know the Maxwell Eat & Drink Hub offers waste free dining options? Sit back and enjoy a scrumptious meal with no plastic, no hassle and no rush. Next time you visit simply ask for a plate and make your meal a little more sustainable 😉

16/07/2026

Laat chance to book our Butterfly Count Nature Walk!

Join us for another one of our Nature Walks!

This leisurely and fully accessible walk is guided by the Sustainability team and takes you across campus, visiting the nature hotspots and discovering what wildlife we share our campus with.

This walk will be hosted during the Big Butterfly Count and we'll be taking some time during the walk to do a butterfly count as part of the Big Butterfly Count Challenge.

When: 12.30 - 13.30, Friday 17 July
Where: Meeting Outside Clifford Whitworth Library
Booking form linked in the bio
Booking Form: https://forms.office.com/e/C3Jx2LCEni

13/07/2026

Bee's are key pollinators in our ecosystem, and a key element of our food systems.

From reduced and fragmented habitat, pesticide and insecticide use and overall climate impacts, many of our bee's are threatened. Which is why we need to all we can to support them!

🌼Planting plants that provide flowers year round can ensure they have a suitable food source.

🦗Avoiding using pesticides and insecticides.

🏠Leaving spaces messy can give them space to make a safe home. Bee houses or bamboo sticks or old, dried sunflower stems can be made into a home.

💧Providing water in shallow containers, with place for them to stand and drink safely to stay hydrated.

🐝If you find a bee out and about struggling, you may need to move them to a safer spot like a nearby flower. You can also give them 50/50 sugar water solution too.