Author: Jen Keywood

May 8, 2025

The universities and FX Plus are collaborating with Falmouth Town Council by pulling together a team of waste warriors – students, staff members, and local people who’re keen to help improve local recycling habits and reduce wastage!  

We’re seeking volunteers to join our ‘Bininfluencer’ event which will take place on Monday 19 May, from 5:50pm to 7:00pm. Participants will join the council’s Environment Officers, our Sustainability Team, and other like-minded people to speak with residents around Falmouth about the new recycling and waste collections, educating people about the changes and encouraging better practices. 

Recycling and waste collections in Falmouth and Penryn changed in March 2025, and since then it has been reported that many students, staff and the wider community are still getting to grips with these changes. The new food waste, recycling and rubbish service in Cornwall now consists of weekly food waste and fortnightly rubbish collections.

By joining forces with the Council to help tell people about the food waste and recycling changes, it is hoped that local recycling habits will improve and general waste will reduce. Educating everyone about the correct disposal of waste using the new bins and seagull-proof sacks provided by the Council is essential to avoid litter and Keep Cornwall Clean.

The Bininfluencer event is open to all – university students and staff, FX Plus and SU staff, and members of the local community too! Please reserve a free ticket here to help us understand approximate numbers joining us on the night.

For more information on the new recycling and waste collections in Falmouth and across Cornwall, head to the council’s webpages.

May 7, 2025

In aid of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 (12-18 May), our Senior Library Assistant has taken inspiration from our ‘Wellbeing Collection’ to bring you these five book recommendations.

Reading is known to positively impact mental health and offers a gentle way to relax and unwind. It can also improve cognitive function and reduce symptoms of depression, and studies show that reading can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. These are all important for good mental health and wellbeing.

Take a look and pick up a book!

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1. Nature Therapy: How to Use Ecotherapy to Boost Your Sense of Well-Being, by Rémy Dambron

Nature therapy is the practice of reconnecting with the natural world – whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve your physical health or simply spark more joy and meaning in life, this book is the ultimate guide to unlocking the transformative power of nature.

2. This Book Could Help: the Men’s Head Space Manual, by Rotimi Akinsete

Developed in partnership with Mind, the mental health charity, This Book Could Help is filled with straightforward expert advice and simple techniques to help you shake off what other people say you ought to be, prioritize yourself, meet challenges and develop new strengths, in areas such as dealing with stress, motivation, work and life goals.

3. Reasons to Stay Alive, by Matt Haig

Aged 24, Matt Haig’s world caved in and he could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him, and learned to live again and appreciate the little joys and moments of happiness that life brings.

4. University – The Autistic Guide: Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive, by Harriet Axbey

This helpful, informative and friendly handbook is a guide to starting university for autistic young people, including accessing mental health support, dealing with burnout, finding your people and experiencing new opportunities.

5. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith

Drawing on years of experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr Julie Smith shares all the skills you need to get through life’s ups and downs. Written in short, bite-sized entries, you can turn straight to the section you need depending on the challenge you’re facing, and immediately find easy, practical solutions that might just change your life.

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All these titles are available to loan from our Penryn and Falmouth Campus libraries. You can find the Penryn Wellbeing Collection on Level 1, near the Student Helpdesk, and our Falmouth Library Wellbeing Collection is next to the Illustrated Book Collection.

Check out our full collection through the Resource List, where you can also request items to be collected from either campus library: https://tinyurl.com/ynzvnbdn If you need any further Mental Health and Wellbeing support, visit the relevant student support pages for information on services available to you:  https://fxplus.ac.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support/.

April 24, 2025

The First Bus Summer Term bundle deal is now available for purchase. The bundle will then be activated for usage from the 22^nd of April to the 22^nd of July and is priced at £110. The bundle provides unlimited travel between Falmouth and Penryn using the U1, U1A, U1E, U2, U1X and the U4.

The deal is available for both students and staff, please ensure you use your student or staff email address to activate the deal via the First Bus app. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase the bundle. Please email our team at sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk with any other questions.

Step 1:

Download the First Bus app and ensure you use your student or staff email address (otherwise bundle will not be activated).

Step 2:

Select the ‘tickets’ tab at the bottom of the screen and then select ‘Buy’ at the top of the screen.

Step 3:

This will take you to the ‘select region’ option, select ‘Cornwall’.

Step 4:

Select ‘Penryn Campus’.

Step 5:

Select ‘Student Tickets’ (this is also applicable for staff).

Step 6:

Select ‘Penryn and Falmouth Summer Term’

April 4, 2025

FX Plus is delighted to secure a 5-star hygiene rating once again across all its Penryn Food & Drink outlets, following an annual inspection by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The prestigious rating, part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, reflects the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness. Customers are now able to view the rating both on-site and online, helping you make informed choices about where to dine.

The inspection, conducted in January, assesses each outlet’s compliance with food hygiene laws, including:

• Food handling practices
• Storage and preparation procedures
• Cleanliness of facilities
• Overall management of food safety

In their report, the assessors commented on how “very clean and well organised” the kitchens were.

Speaking about the achievement, Tristan Gordon, Executive Head Chef at FX Plus, expressed pride in the team’s commitment to consistently upholding top-tier food safety standards.

“The team and I take great pride in ensuring the highest of standards. We are pleased to have maintained our 5-star hygiene rating for another year,” he said.

With over 25 years of expertise spanning high-end dining and contract catering, Tristan leads menu development across our Falmouth and Penryn Campus outlets.

Falmouth campus is assessed separately, and its annual inspection will take place later in the year.

For more details on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, visit the Food Standards Agency website.

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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

February 28, 2025

Starting Monday, 3 March, the Catering team, in partnership with the Students’ Union, is launching a trial Meat-Free Mondays Lunchtime Menu in the Stannary, available from 12pm – 2:30 pm throughout the month. 

This initiative, driven by student feedback, aims to expand plant-based options on campus while gathering insights and sales data to assess its long-term feasibility. 

Marketa Carruthers, SU Vice President, said: 
“I’d like to thank FX Plus for their open-minded and collaborative approach to trialling Meat-Free Mondays as we all face the climate emergency together. The menu looks great, and I’m excited about the delicious food on offer!” 

Jennie Hosken, Marketing and Engagement Manager, FX Plus, added: 
“We’re always looking for ways to engage students and provide the food and drink choices they want on campus. The Students’ Union highlighted a strong demand for sustainable, plant-based options, and this trial is a direct response to that.” 

How to Get Involved:

Your feedback is essential! We’ll be assessing participation and food sales, and you can share your thoughts via the feedback form in the Stannary. The trial period will end on Monday 31 March, and the feedback form will close at the end of the day. 

Check out the Meat-Free Mondays Lunchtime Menu. 

Let us know what you think—especially if you try the menu!