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Sustainability

Rainforest Garden Boardwalk

There's a new place on campus to sit back and relax! The System Garden's rainforest section has a new boardwalk, seating, and the resident tree frogs have returned!

Find out more

HomeWhat's OnAbout StrategyGet InvolvedA-Z of Sustainability

We aim to engage and empower staff, students, and the community to think, talk and act on sustainability issues.

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  • Green Impact

    Green Impact is a fun and flexible program for staff and students to undertake practical actions to make our University more sustainable.

  • Sustainability Advocate Program

    Staff and Student Sustainability Advocates play a key part in the University of Melbourne achieving a sustainable campus.

  • Biodiversity

    The University’s biodiversity on all campuses will be valued, utilised for “Living Lab” research, managed sustainably, able to adapt to change and continue to provide environmental services and benefits for people and the rest of the biosphere.

  • Energy

    A key focus will be on further energy reduction and transitioning our energy supply to renewable energy sources.

  • Recycling & Waste

    The University is dedicated to reducing its waste to landfill by avoiding or minimising waste occurrence and through its recycling and waste management.

  • Furniture & E-waste

    The Reuse Service offers a sustainable and economic alternative to purchasing new furniture or equipment for your office.

  • Transport

    Cycle, walk, or take public transport to help the environment, improve fitness and minimise overall energy usage.

  • Water

    Over the next four years, the focus will be on fully reviewing and implementing the Water Management Plans for each campus.

  • Campus Grounds

    The historic gardens and buildings on campus, including statistical data and university wide tours.

  • Buildings

    In June 2017, we became the first and only University to achieve a 6 Star Communities rating – equating to world leadership – for our Parkville campus.

  • Fair Trade

    At Melbourne, we choose fair trade products as part of our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

  • Resources

    Useful information and resources to help staff and students achieve a sustainable campus.

Upcoming Events

  • Thursday 14 March 2019 10am - 11am
    Sustainability Advocates Forum
    Seminar/Forum
  • Thursday 21 March 2019 8am - 10am
    Ride2Uni Breakfast
    Event

Please check out the full list of past sustainability related events on campus.

Campus Highlights

  • No Cup? Swap Cup
    27 Feb 2019 News
  • University of Melbourne welcomes new wind farm

    The Melbourne Renewal Energy Project agreement is the first of its kind in Australia and, as a result, Melbourne is the first capital city council powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

    24 Jan 2019 News

View Older News Highlights

Sustainable Campus aims to expand on the University of Melbourne's position as a leader in campus sustainability. Universities have a special role and responsibility in confronting the challenges of climate change and environmental stewardship.

Sustainability@Melbourne Network

Sustainable Campus is part of a greater network that encompasses sustainability research, innovation, graduate education, and student organisations.

Member List

Sustainability Achievements

The important work undertaken by the Sustainability Team was recognised with multiple awards from 2015-2018 at the Green Gown Awards Australasia, including the prestigious Continuous Improvement award for sustainability initiatives across all of the University's operations.

Learn More

Green Gown Awards 2018

Our Team

Our team members are from varied backgrounds and cover diverse aspects of Sustainability management and practice. We are passionate about helping staff and students in their sustainability endeavors.

Team Members

Report a Sustainability Improvement

Let us know your ideas and observations about sustainability opportunities in the University environment around you. Please don't use this email address for issues relating to the correct and optimal operation of existing facilities, infrastructure, fixtures and fittings - e.g. leaking taps/toilets, temperature too cold or too hot - instead, report these matters directly to Asset Services (Maintenance).

Address
Level 1, 21 Bedford St, North Melbourne
VIC 3051
Email
sustainable-campus@unimelb.edu.au
Opening Hours
Weekdays: 9am—5pm

The University of Melbourne aims to deeply embed sustainability across all its activities: Research, Teaching & Learning, Governance, Operations and Engagement. Sustainability is not just about reducing our negative impacts – it's about maximising the University's contribution to social value.

There are three key elements to the University's Sustainability strategy.

  • The Sustainability Charter, an enduring document which defines the University's principles, values and high level commitments for each of our activity areas.
  • The Sustainability Plan 2017-2020 identifies priority actions and targets to move forward towards realising the commitments of the Charter over the next four years with an operational focus.
  • Finally, the Sustainability Report draws together all of our sustainability activities and publicly and holistically reports on an annual basis and will enable us to demonstrate our progress towards delivery of the Charter commitments.

Learn more about the strategy

There are many ways you can contribute to achieving a sustainable campus. Join a program or group today!

  • Green Impact

    Join the University of Melbourne's sustainability change and engagement program!

    Register
  • Sustainability Advocates Forum

    Attend the quarterly meetings to learn about sustainability on campus.

    Sign Up
  • Student Groups and Clubs

    There are a number of student groups, clubs and events to get involved with. Check them out here for more info!

    View
The UoM Campus as a Living Laboratory

The University of Melbourne and fellow Group of Eight Universities have launched
a Living Lab Publication, which showcases sustainability initiatives and achievements throughout the Go8 Universities.

Download a copy of the publication

An up to date resource on how you can be sustainable at The University of Melbourne and the services provided on campus.

  • A

    • Aluminium/Cans/Foil
    • Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS)
  • B

    • Balloons@Melbourne
    • Banners
    • Batteries
    • Bees@UniMelb
    • Bin liner alternatives to the Plastic Bag Ban
    • Biodiversity Tour
    • Books
    • Brochures
    • Business Cards
  • C

    • Cardboard
    • Car Hire/Car Share
    • Coffee Cups
    • Coffee Pods
    • Computers
    • Confidential Document Disposal
    • Cycling/Walking
  • E

    • E-waste
    • Electronic Equipment
    • Enviro Law
    • Events
  • F

    • Fair Food Challenge
    • Fair Trade
    • Farmers Market
    • Food Waste
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Fridges & Freezers
    • Furniture
  • G

    • Get Involved
    • Green Gown Awards
    • Green Impact
  • H

    • Hard Waste
  • K

    • KeepCups
  • L

    • Light Bulbs
  • M

    • Maps
    • Melbourne Renewable Energy Project
    • Mobile Phones
  • N

    • Newsletter Archive
  • P

    • Paper
    • Plants
    • Plastic Bag Ban (bin liner alternatives)
    • Plastic Bags (and other soft plastics)
    • Polystyrene
    • Posters
    • Public Transport
  • R

    • Resources
  • S

    • Scrap Metal
    • Showers and Change Facilities
    • Stationery
    • Student Groups and Clubs
    • Sustainability@UoM
    • Sustainability Advocates
    • Sustainability Calendar
    • Sustainability Investment Framework
    • Sustainability Plan
    • Sustainability Quiz
    • Sustainability Survey Report
    • Sustainability Tour
  • T

    • TAKE2
    • Temperature Settings Guidelines
    • Toilet Consumables
    • Toner/Ink Cartridges
    • Tours and Talks
  • U

    • The Unicycle (Fair Food Challenge)
  • W

    • Water
    • Worm Farms
    • Water Bottles

Sustainability

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