Introduction

This guide serves as an introduction for members of Green Templeton College to explore the college’s commitment to sustainability and discover ways you can contribute to our efforts. We recognize that university life can be busy, so this guide is designed to be read at your convenience or used as a reference when you have specific questions about making sustainable choices during your time at Oxford. Inside, you’ll find information about environmental awareness, practical tips for sustainable living, and insights into the College’s behind-the-scenes initiatives. Education is the first step toward meaningful change, and we hope you’ll take the time to read this guide and consider how you can make a difference.

If you have any further questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kat, your GCR environmental officer, or check out the sustainability pages on the GTC website.

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Recycling Guidelines

Properly separating general waste from recycling and sorting recycling into specific categories is one of the most impactful ways you can contribute as a student.

Dry Mixed Recycling

Used for

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Plastic bottles
• Drinks cans
• Food tins
• Plastics displaying the approved symbols (shown below).

Not used for

• Black trays
• Unclean containers (food or drink)
• Soft plastics*

• Soft plastics, including items marked with a recycling logo that indicates ‘dispose with bags at large supermarket,’ can be taken to supermarket collection points around Oxford. The nearest collection point is at Tesco Express, Magdalen Street, located just to the right of the entrance.

How to use

• Leave materials loose or use clear bags

Food waste

Used for

• Out-of-date food
• Leftovers
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Raw or cooked meat/fish

Not used for

• Any type of packaging

How to use

• Use biodegradable bags or no bags

Mixed glass recycling

Used for

• Glass bottles (all colours)
• Glass jars (no lids)
• Glassware

Not used for

• Heat-proof glass

How to use

• Do not use bags when disposing of glass products

Single-use reductions

University life often comes with consumerism. Every item we use impacts the environment, from its production to disposal. We only have one Earth, but we are currently using the resources of 1.7 Earths. Reducing the number of single-use items you rely on and reusing alternatives can significantly benefit the planet.

Tote Bags

Using a tote bag regularly is a great alternative to purchasing single-use plastic bags when shopping. This simple switch saves you money and reduces your environmental impact.

KeepCups

Hot drinks, whether a morning coffee or a treat like hot chocolate, are a staple of university life for many. If this sounds familiar, consider investing in a KeepCup! These reusable cups replace single-use alternatives, helping to reduce waste. They also complement student life well:

• If you want to take advantage of the free hot drinks in GTC vending machines, you will need a cup!
• Many coffee shops offer discounts for using a KeepCup or reusable bottle.
• KeepCups are allowed in Bodleian libraries and the GTC library, so you can enjoy your drink while studying.

GTC offers its own plastic or glass KeepCup, available for purchase at a discounted price from the lodge. Another popular option is the Bodleian KeepCup, sold in plastic and glass varieties at the Bodleian gift shops (one in the Bodleian quad and another near the Weston Library). These can also be purchased at a discounted rate with your Bod Card.

Refill Shops

Oxford is home to several refill shops where you can bring empty containers to refill them with products, reducing plastic waste. These shops also offer ethical alternatives for household products, toiletries, and food staples. Some popular options include:

• OxUnBoxed, a non-profit shop in the Covered Market.
• Wild Honey, with branches on Little Clarendon Street, Magdalen Road, and South Parade.
• Flo’s refill shop is a non-profit shop in Rymers Lane.

Second-hand options

In addition to switching from single-use items to reusable alternatives, you can reduce your carbon footprint by shopping at charity shops and selling or donating possessions you no longer need. Around 20 new garments are made each year for everyone on the planet, so it is not surprising that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If current trends continue, the industry will triple resource consumption by 2050.

Charity Shops in Oxford

Oxford has a wide range of charity shops, and several are conveniently located near GTC:

• Oxfam on Broad Street: The first-ever Oxfam, accepting clothes, soft furnishings, and more.
• Oxfam Bookshop on Turl Street: This shop accepts books in good condition across many genres.
• British Heart Foundation near Westgate and Sobell House on Little Clarendon Street: Other great options for donating and shopping.
• For a larger selection, you can take a bus to Cowley to visit the Oxfam Superstore.

Formal Wear and Fancy Dress

Students often need formal wear or costumes. Here are some sustainable options:

• Unicorn on Ship Street: Offers a variety of vintage aesthetic outfits.
• Ballroom Emporium on The Plain (Magdalen Roundabout): Specializes in evening wear, ball gowns, and formalwear.
• Academic Dress and Formalwear Rentals: Shops like Walters of Oxford (Turl Street) and Shephard & Woodward (High Street) provide rental services for academic dress or formalwear.

If you’d prefer to rent from home, apps like By Rotation and Hurr offer black-tie outfits for special occasions.

Beyond Clothing

Second-hand or rented options for items beyond clothing can also be sustainable and cost-effective, especially for one-time use:

• SHARE Oxford: This organization fosters sustainability and community by offering a Library of Things, where you can borrow items instead of buying them. You can visit their shop on Aristotle Lane or, for some items, arrange bike delivery.

Sustainable Purchasing

Before buying something new, consider the waste hierarchy:

• Avoid unnecessary purchases.
• Look for second-hand options.
• Maximize the use of any new item before disposing of it properly
• By embracing second-hand options and mindful purchasing, you can save money and help minimize waste.

Eating sustainably

Making conscious food choices with the climate crisis and ethical implications in mind can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and waste production. Our food choices have a big impact on our carbon footprint. There are massive differences in greenhouse gas emissions of different foods: producing a kilo of beef emits greenhouse gases equivalent to 60 kilo of CO2, while a kilo of peas emits just 1 kilo.

Dining in Hall

Hall caters to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences. Green Templeton utilises an advance booking system which allows our kitchen team to cook to order for all college meals, thus significantly reducing food waste levels in college.

• All dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly (e.g., gluten-free, dairy-free), or religious requirement meals (e.g., halal, kosher) need to be booked in advance to guarantee that the catering team can accommodate your needs.
• For colleges lunches and student suppers a meat and vegetarian option is always available and we have a small number of walk in spaces available without needing a prior booking.
  • These spaces are subject to availability on a first come, first served basis.
  • We are unable to guarantee that allergen-friendly, vegan or religious requirements can be catered to for these walk-in places.
  • Please do ask the serving team who will do their upmost to accommodate wherever possible.
• Coffee machines on site. Coffee, teas and hot chocolates are provided free of charge to GTC members.
  • We do not provide single use cups for these machines, china cups are provided in the common room over lunch 12-2pm but we encourage you to purchase a reusable cup
• Takeaway Meals from College Meal Services. You are welcome to bring your own takeaway box, GTC do not provide any single use takeaway boxes.
• Portion sizes. Please ask the serving team if you would like a smaller than standard portion size to reduce food wastage.

Our catering team are always on hand to answer queries, you can email the kitchen team at pantry@gtc.ox.ac.uk to address any concerns or specific requirements.

Sustainable Eating Habits

• Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption: Cutting back on meat and dairy, even by just one meat-free day per week, can make a meaningful environmental impact.
• Plant-Based Alternatives: Try plant-based alternatives for diary or meat products

Takeaway and Groceries

When shopping or ordering takeaway, try to minimise single-use plastic by choosing items with less packaging. If packaging cannot be avoided, dispose of it responsibly:

• Many packaging materials are recyclable with a quick rinse or wipe.
• Plastic films can often be returned to supermarkets for recycling.

By making sustainable food choices, reducing waste, and disposing of materials properly, you can help minimize your environmental impact while enjoying the variety of food options GTC and Oxford have to offer.

Saving energy

 In your accommodation, you could save 25kg of CO2 per room per year just by switching off lights when they aren’t needed. Over the same period, switching electrical items off at the plug could avoid CO2 emissions equivalent to driving 130 miles in a petrol car.

 Take control of your heating

 The college has enabled students in self contained flats or houses to take control of their own heating, not only helping to save energy (circa 20% reduction last year) but also the pennies – turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £60 a year.  We have more advice on thermostats and heating controls, including their benefits, potential savings and videos showing you how to use them efficiently.

Hot water and Showers 

The college has installed water-saving energy devices on showers and encourages all residents to use less hot water wherever they can.  Reduce showers by 2 minutes, wash up all your dishes/pots and pans in one sink full of hot water, rather than washing up 2-3 times a day, share this task with your housemates if possible. Keeping the tap running constantly would release around 157kg of CO2 per year, while the average dishwasher produces 142kg of CO2 and a washing machine generates 118kg

When it comes to washing ourselves, it is obviously important to maintain good hygiene, but replacing a daily bath with a three-minute shower could save about 212kg CO2 per year.

Report

Help the college help you and the environment by reporting leaks, faulty radiators and damaged equipment.

Further reading and engagement  

University Resources

• Sustainability Hub: Created by our Student Union, the Sustainability Hub offers resources on a variety of topics, from practical individual tips to insights on systemic environmental issues.
• Oxford University Environmental Sustainability Team (Instagram: @oxfordenvsust): This team, part of the University’s central administration, oversees progress on the University’s Environmental Sustainability policy.
• Oxford Climate Society (OCS) (Instagram/Facebook: @oxfordclimatesoc): A university-wide society that provides resources, hosts events, and runs campaigns such as Decarbonise Oxford. Their mission is to reduce emissions in Oxford and create a platform for the next generation of climate leaders to connect and collaborate.

Books and Podcasts

Books

1. ‘This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate’ by Naomi Klein

1. • This book explores the connections between the climate crisis and economic systems, arguing that fundamental changes to our global economy are necessary to address environmental challenges.

2. ‘The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming’ by David Wallace-Wells

1. • A stark and comprehensive account of the potential consequences of climate change, offering a deep understanding of the urgency needed to tackle the crisis.

3. ‘All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis’ edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson

1. • A collection of essays, poetry, and art from women leaders in the climate movement, providing diverse perspectives and actionable insights on climate solutions.

4. ‘The Ministry for the Future’ by Kim Stanley Robinson

1. • A speculative fiction novel that imagines a near-future world grappling with climate catastrophe. The story combines science, politics, and activism to explore what a coordinated global response to climate change might look like

Podcasts

1. ‘How to Save a Planet’

1. • Hosted by journalist Alex Blumberg and scientist/advocate Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, this podcast offers practical solutions to the climate crisis while telling engaging stories about how change is happening around the world.

2. ‘Outrage + Optimism’

1. • Hosted by Christiana Figueres (an architect of the Paris Agreement), this podcast combines climate activism with hope, exploring what it will take to address the climate crisis and sharing inspiring stories of action.

3. ‘The Climate Question’ by BBC World Service

1. • This podcast dives into the big questions surrounding climate change, exploring issues from policy to individual action, with insights from global experts and case studies.