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Other Departmental Sustainability Initiatives

At the Dunn School, we firmly believe that 'green' is more than just a colour. The department has implemented a variety of initiatives that embrace sustainability at every level. Our sustainability efforts don't stop at the Dunn School's boundaries. Collaboration, community engagement, and active participation in green initiatives form the heart of our wider sustainable mission.

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Sustainable Practices in Operations:

  • Centralised Services: Dunn School has centralized glass-wash and autoclaving facilities and produce common solutions like distilled water, 10XPBS, 2XTY, LB, and agar plates in bulk to reduce individual waste and energy use.

  • Shared Resources: The department encourages efficient use of resources through shared equipment rooms, chemicals, and cold rooms. There is a dedicated email mailing list where members of the department can conveniently post requests or share available resources, whether for lab work or personal use at home.

  • Recycling and Reuse: Dunn School's commitment to sustainability goes beyond traditional recycling methods. The department emphasize the importance of recycling items routinely used in our operations, such as empty tip boxes, ethanol plastic bottles, and glass containers. Notably, rather than discarding NEB and Promega polystyrene boxes, we send them back to the suppliers. This allows the suppliers to repurpose and reuse the boxes, shipping their products to customers globally. In doing so, we not only reduce waste but also actively contribute to a circular economy, promoting a more eco-conscious environment.

  • Sustainable Procurement: Our stores and purchasing department are committed to purchasing in bulk, reducing delivery frequency by consolidating daily orders from a single supplier, which reduces CO2 emissions and traffic. We also participate in part exchange/buy-back schemes with suppliers when possible.

  • Eco-Friendly Purchases: Our researchers and staff prioritize purchasing environmentally friendly chemicals and equipment. We're actively testing various eco-friendly lab chemicals with plans to implement them department-wide.

  • Packaging and Single-Use Plastics: We're actively working with our suppliers to reduce packaging and single-use plastics. This includes water bottles, cups, plates, and cutlery used in our events.

  • On-Site Workshop: Our on-site workshop handles all types of repairs (equipment and building) to reduce the need for replacement purchases.

  • On-site IT Facility: Our dedicated IT facility takes care of a comprehensive range of computer-related concerns. Not only do they manage data backups, but they're also committed to sustainable practices by recycling printer cartridges and responsibly disposing of outdated equipment and other computer related equipment and accessories. Whether you're faced with a technical glitch or need assistance with system upgrades, our team is on standby to ensure a seamless digital experience.

  • Honest Library: There is a special section in the Dunn School Library known as the "Honest Library," managed by the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and Prof. Chris Tang. This collection features a diverse range of books covering various topics and genres, contributed by members of the community. The Honest Library operates on a trust-based system, allowing anyone to borrow a book, read it at their leisure, and return it when finished. It serves as a welcoming corner for students and staff to explore new ideas, take a break from their studies, and enjoy a good read. 

Sustainable Building and Environment:

  • Building Management System (BMS): The Dunn School in-house BMS allows us to adjust building settings and reduce energy use. We have reduced run timings on AHUs, reduced temperature settings in individual rooms, reduced boiler on/off timings, and more.

  • Temperature Regulation: Our commitment to energy efficiency is reflected in our temperature guidelines. We actively encourage staff and students to maintain an indoor temperature of 19°C during winter. This initiative has led to a remarkable 30% reduction in energy consumption compared to the previous year. In summer, we suggest a temperature of 25°C to minimize reliance on air conditioners. It's worth noting that certain labs have specific temperature requirements for their experiments. In such cases, exceptions are made to ensure the integrity of their work.

  • Automated Lighting: Most of our buildings now have automated lighting to conserve energy.

  • LED Lighting and PIR Sensors: We source LED lighting locally and install PIR sensors as needed. These improvements are made when failures occur, contributing to our continuous effort to reduce our carbon footprint.

  • Sustainable Building Practices: During refurbishments or building works, our Facilities Manager and Departmental Safety Officer consider the short and long-term environmental impacts, making informed choices to minimize adverse effects.

  • Japanese Garden Maintenance: Our serene Japanese garden, complete with a pond, fish, and various plants, offers an eco-friendly sanctuary maintained by our in-house workshop.

  • Garden Maintenance: The Oxford University Parks department, committed to using peat-free compost, maintains our garden areas. A recent addition is a wooden trough made by our workshop from recycled wood, filled with daffodil bulbs planted using university-supplied peat-free compost.

Engagement, Education and Collaboration:​

  • Public Engagement and Advocacy: Our Green Group members have been active in sharing our green initiatives through lab tours, seminars, webinars, and meetings. They've written articles and blogs, and have also featured in online recordings. We've also promoted the University's 'Be Energy Friendly' campaign and co-organised various green events.

  • Sustainability Education: We are determined to weave sustainability into the daily fabric of our community. We leverage various platforms, such as emails, Twitter, cafe projectors, and a strategically placed notice board near the drinking tap water, to disseminate crucial information. The Dunn School combination room frequently hosts information stalls and workshops that we either organize or co-organize, enriching the eco-awareness landscape of the Dunn School and its surroundings. New students and staff members are introduced to our sustainability ethos through a comprehensive induction checklist. Additionally, our student representatives and lab managers from the Green Group provide enlightening sustainability talks, ensuring that all new joiners are well-acquainted with our green mission.

  • Communicating Energy-Saving Practices: The Dunn School Green Group actively promotes energy-saving practices and regularly communicates with staff and students about these topics either through various means.

  • Community Engagement: We continually engage our department's community to gather ideas related to environmental sustainability, encouraging open discussions and implementing feasible suggestions.

Community and Lifestyle Initiatives:

  • Local and Seasonal Catering: Our café, run by Carpenter Catering, focuses on seasonal and locally sourced products, reducing our carbon footprint.

  • Community Clean-Ups: Our team regularly participates in litter picking in the Marston community (Marston Eco Group).

  • Personal Sustainability Efforts: Our team members maintain personal sustainable practices, such as gardening for biodiversity, buying second-hand items, reducing food waste, and making dietary choices for less environmental impact. They're also involved in local initiatives, promoting sustainability at both professional and personal levels.

We are constantly exploring new ways to reduce our environmental footprint and promote a culture of conscious, sustainable living and working. Through these collective efforts, we strive to extend the reach of our sustainability mission beyond the Dunn School, fostering a green mindset in our local community and in the academic field at large.

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