Green Flats in UEA Accommodation
Following proposals from two of our students, in the 2012 to 2013 academic year we have successfully trialled a 'Green Flat' in Britten House for students who would like to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The residents of the flat study a range of different courses in different faculties and have commented that having this common interest helped them to quickly create a bond between them.
UEA is keen to expand this project and we will create 'Green Flats' in any of our residences for the 2013 to 2014 academic year where there is sufficient interest.
The prices of the Green Flat accommodation will be the same as the equivalent accommodation in the same residence.
To apply for a room in a Green Flat simply complete the appropriate form for your type of study and choose 'Yes' in the response box to the Green Flat question.
15 Tips for 'Living Green" in UEA Residences
Whether or not you do choose to live in a Green Flat we hope you find these tips from our current Green Flat residents useful:
1) Everyone knows the basics – recycling, turning off electronic equipment when not in use etc. really does make a difference. Recycle glass, batteries, paper, tin cans, food waste – recycling bins are here on campus by the Drama Studio, in the UEA Village and outside in the Norwich locality too.
2) Share! Everything from laundry to cooking and buying food - it reduces electricity use and waste.
3) Use drying racks or homemade washing lines to dry laundry instead of tumble drying.
4) Try to cycle/ walk/ get the bus places instead of driving or travelling by taxi.
5) Look into tips for being more eco-friendly in the kitchen – for example opening fridge/ freezer doors for as little time as possible, cooking with lids on the pans to speed up cooking time, make a pot of tea/coffee to share instead of boiling the kettle for individual cups.
6) Put on more layers of clothing instead of turning the heating on/up.
7) Keep curtains or blinds closed in winter to keep the warmth in the flat.
8) Socialise or work together in the same room to reduce energy use elsewhere in the flat.
9) Try to buy locally sourced foods – make use of the Veg Box and Food Co-op schemes on campus! You can find them in the Hive on Wednesday lunchtimes. Save of food miles.
10) Keep any unwanted items (clothing, equipment, books etc) instead of throwing them away as they may benefit someone else. Donate to one of the Big Swaps held every semester or the end of term Reduce, Reuse, Recycle collection organised by the Union of UEA Sudents.
11) Find imaginative ways to use left-over food in your cooking (curries, soups, mashes etc) or share with someone else if you have too much. Don’t buy “2 for the price of 1” if you don’t need that much.
11) Try growing your own herbs in the kitchen or get plants for window sills.
12) Switch your cosmetic products to ethical ones.
13) Try not to let your showers last more than 2 minutes at a time.
14) Go for a jog around the lake instead of using the gym equipment.
15) Look into other ‘green’ projects happening on campus and get involved, for instance Carbon Crew, People and Planet, Veg Box Society, Food Co-op.
16) Don’t be afraid to encourage others to perform simple actions such as turning their lights off when not in use, recycling their litter, cutting down on waste paper.
"LIVING A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE IS A POSITIVE MOVE AND SHOULD BE A PLEASURE NOT A PAIN!"
