Queens’ is really working to reduce its carbon footprint, thinking hard about ways to lessen the college’s impact on the environment. As students of the college, you are now the most important members of the community in terms of our carbon footprint so every little thing you do helps!

Recycling in college couldn’t be easier! In your room you have two bins – one for general waste disposal and one for recycling scrap paper. In your gyp-room (a.k.a kitchen) there are bins available where plastic, tin, cardboard, food waste, tetra-packs and glass can all be recycled. You can also recycle old mobile phones, batteries and ink cartridges in the Porter’s Lodge by simply putting them in my pigeon hole. It’s simple and there are even handy recycling charts in the gyp rooms indicating where all your waste should go!

It’s not just about waste disposal though: energy efficiency is a simple and effective way to lower our carbon footprint. In your room you can find an information poster detailing the main ways you can reduce your energy expenditure. Switching off lights, turnings computers off and using your thermostats responsibly all helps towards a reduction in energy expenditure. Not only this, it reduces your electricity and heating bills and saves you money – always a student incentive!
Being green doesn’t have to end in Queens’: there’s so much you can do in Cambridge city as well. When shopping in town, take a Sainsbury’s bag for life since Sainsbury’s offer extra Nectar points for bags reused. They also supply their own plastic bag recycling facility as well as offering a wide range of Fairtrade and organic products.
Helping the environment doesn’t have to be a chore and it is my goal to ensure it is as easy and painless as possible. Contact me at ams230@cam.ac.uk, knock on my door (W10) or just grab me around college. Even better, join the green mailing list or join the green committee by e-mailing me at the address above.

The JCR is constantly looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint whether it be pushing for double glazing in college buildings or simply raising awareness through information posters. With a new environmental policy just about to be established, we need all the help we can get to ensure environmental concern stays at the top of our agenda. Every little bit really does count so please do the best you can and ensure being green at Queens’.