March 19, 2025
In celebration of our Sustainability Fairs taking place, on Wednesday 19 (Penryn campus) and Thursday 20 (Falmouth campus), we thought it worthwhile speaking to the various FX Plus teams to find out about some of their sustainability highlights. As of March 2025, here is what we have achieved together so far:
Waste & Recycling
This academic year (2024-25), Food waste recycling increased by 68.5% in November, December and January compared to the same period last year. This uptake has been driven by improving the signage and bin provision in Glasney Halls and at Packsaddle. Mixed recycling is up by a whopping 51.1% on the same quarter last year. Unfortunately, general waste on campus has also increased by 7.1%, and this has been attributed to an increase in onsite activity. Dylan Jones, Recycling and Waste Officer at FX Plus, said:
“The small increase in general waste is offset by the much larger gains in food and mixed recycling, so the recycling ethos on campus is improving. We need to go further with this however, please think before you buy and think before you bin!”
At Glasney Halls of Residence, a trial has started to provide better storage for mixed recycling, which will hopefully reduce the amount of recycling that is scattered across the site by seagulls.
The team are in the process of replacing an aged compactor with two new compactors for our onsite waste compound. This will allow for the onsite compaction of recycling for the first time, which brings significant cost and environmental benefits – reducing the associated transportation carbon emissions by an estimated 65-80%. It is hoped the new compactors will be installed by Easter 2025.
The ‘Litter Lotto’ educational posters on recycling bins had nearly 1,000 interactions (where users scan their waste to check it is appropriate for recycling) in the first year (March 24 – Jan 25). A new phase of Litter Lotto is in the works that will introduce new local (Falmouth/Penryn) prizes along with the national £1,000 prizes, and more bins covered.
The first full box of medicine blister packs was sent for recycling in November 2024, with the help of ReFactory, who turn them into the likes of childrens’ chairs, planters and picnic tables.
In the academic year 23/24 Facilities recycled the highest amount of tetra pak (e.g. soya milk, passata, pringles packaging) since it was established – almost 20,000 cartons.
The ‘Swap Shops’ continue to prove to be a popular resource and have been held in more locations across both campuses this academic year (2024/25). The Autumn term saw a total of 298 items rehomed and many more items donated. At least 112kg of resources and waste, and around one third of a tonne of carbon emissions have been saved. Since May 2023 when the Swap Shop first started, we have successfully rehomed 1,300 items in total, saving at least 411kg of resources and nearly two-and-a-half tonnes of carbon emissions!
Energy & Emissions
As of March 2025, our latest emissions (electricity and gas) per GIA data shows around a 66% reduction at Penryn campus and a 61% reduction at Falmouth campus when compared with our 2005/06 baseline.
Projects contributing towards this success include the installation of solar PV panels, LED and electrical upgrades, analytics, and sub-metering upgrades.
A new project to replace the entire heating system across the SERFS and Stella Turk buildings at Penryn campus is currently underway and is expected to complete in May 2025. The Replacement Boiler Project will see a total of 5 boilers replaced with air source heat pumps and is expected to achieve even greater savings.
Biodiversity
In 2024 we planted 3,010 wildflower plugs. So far in 2025 (as of March), our Gardener Alasdair Garnett has recorded planting 568 and is aiming to beat last year’s record:
“568 planted so far, so it’s coming on nicely, and the rabbits seem to be mostly leaving them alone at the minute. My fingers are crossed they’ll do well,” he said.
In July 2024, Penryn campus was honoured with the coveted Green Flag Award for the seventh year in a row. The Green Flag Award, administered by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, is a benchmark of excellence for well-managed green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Bioblitz Penryn 2024 recorded 551 species, including the famous Tremough Jumper, a new species of spider.
In January 2025, birders recorded 14 species of bird at the Big Garden Bird Watch. A Song Thrush was seen here, which is wonderful news given the counts have declined by 85% since the first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979!
Food & Drink
As part of the Veganuary Campaign (January 2024),the Sustainability team offered a 25% discount on plant-based hot main meals at the Stannary (25 January) and at the Fox Café (29 January). This promotion led to a remarkable sixfold increase in the number of plant-based main meals sold on that day compared to a previous week. At the Fox Café, the vegan meal was so popular that it sold out in just 30 minutes!
On 31 January, the SU’s Vegan Society and Asian Society teamed up with the catering team to present a special vegan Indian feast on the global menu at the Stannary. The meal was warmly received by students, staff, and visitors alike.
On 21 March, the Sustainability team joined forces with the Vegan Society and Launchpad start-up @99pfilms to host a screening of What The Health. The event featured a community discussion and free local food for attendees.
In April 2024, the Sustainability Café gained Vegetarian Society accreditation for its new vegetarian and vegan menu. This accreditation marks a significant milestone in our commitment to offering sustainable and ethical dining options on campus.
In celebration of World Earth Day on 22 April, with the theme “Plastic vs. Planet,” the Food & Drink team supported the cause by giving away 150 reusable cups at the Sustainability Café and Fox Café with the purchase of a hot drink.
In 2024, the Circular Cup Scheme was extended to the Fox Café at the Falmouth Campus to offer an alternative, sustainable option to disposable cups.
2024 also saw the launch of ‘The Good Cup’, a new eco-friendly disposable cup which has been introduced in the Stannary and Fox Café. The Good Cup is made entirely of paper with no plastic lining or lid, they are fully recyclable and home compostable.
If you have any questions about sustainability on campus, please feel free to contact the Sustainability team on sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.
