Skip to main content
About us

Sustainability News

A Chef from Queen Mary's Curve Kitchen making a pizza base out of Angry Monk's surplus and wonky tomatoes. Interview with Angry Monk
21 March 2024

As part of Food Waste Action Week, we sat down with Mike Haskamp, co-founder of Angry Monk, a business-to-business market for 'imperfect' fruit and vegetables. Queen Mary is one of their customers, rescuing surplus and wonky produce to be served in the Curve Kitchen on the Mile End campus.

A group of students and staff wearing high vis and helmets at Bywaters for the Materials Recovery Facility Tour. What Happens to Our Recycling?
6 March 2024

A group of staff and students toured Bywaters Materials Recovery Facility to find out what happens after you put something in a recycling bin in Tower Hamlets.

A list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals Putting Sustainability at the Heart of Higher Education
1 March 2024

March sees the return of the SDG Teach-in: a month dedicated to highlighting and embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Higher Education teaching.

A group of five students with litter pickers and nets posing next to Regent's Canal on the Mile End Campus after cleaning the canal as part of Climate Action Week. Climate Action Week 2024
29 February 2024

Climate Action Week was a huge success! A big thank you to everyone who was involved. Here are the highlights.

A map of the local area around the Mile End Campus and the Whitechapel campus with markers indicating charity shops. A Small Guide on Charity Shopping for Concerned and Not So Concerned Consumers
16 February 2024

Discover PhD Student María's top tips for navigating the world of charity shopping in London. Embrace sustainable fashion and learn why second-hand is a vital step towards a greener future; saving money, reducing waste, and supporting charitable causes.

Pauline smiling by the water wearing a hard-hat and a life-jacket. QM PhD Student in the Top 3 for the London Student Sustainability Conference
13 February 2024

Meet Pauline De Bigault De Cazanove, a Queen Mary PhD student who was selected in the top 3 for the London Student Sustainability Conference! We interviewed Pauline to hear about her research into biodegradable plastics and passion for sustainability.

Our Sustainability Rankings for 2024
18 January 2024

The rankings are out! Find out how Queen Mary performed in the 2023/24 People & Planet University League and the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024.

A person in a green apron holding a reusable Reuser coffee cup. Reusable Cups in the Queen Mary Café
11 January 2024

Queen Mary Café is partnering with 'Reuser' to trial reusable takeaway cups that will replace single-use cups.

Let’s Save Energy This Christmas
18 December 2023

As we leave for the holidays, with some of us celebrating Christmas, it's important to be mindful about waste. We've created a checklist of what to turn off and keep on before leaving for the holidays, so read more to find out how to reduce energy waste.

'How Can We Save Planet Earth?' on the Queen Mary YouTube Channel
8 December 2023

The QMUL Official YouTube channel presents a series of videos on 'How can we save planet earth?'. The topics discussed so far include energy, pollution, gender and insurance.

A drawing of our planet and a growing plant with the text Queen Mary Experts Speaking at COP28
28 November 2023

Queen Mary is sending a team of eight experts to COP28 to speak and attend events to showcase their research.

Student volunteers at the Big Green Canal Clean after litter picking to clean up the canal as part of Sustainability Week, Sustainability Week 2023
20 November 2023

Sustainability Week is a chance to engage in sustainability initiatives across campus and learn more about what’s going on at the university and in the wider community. During this annual week, there are events for raising awareness for sustainability, bringing eco-friendly communities together and presenting Queen Mary's progress. Below are the highlights!

Text saying New Research on Affordable Solar Energy: Dr Joe Briscoe
10 November 2023

Dr Joe Briscoe from the School of Engineering and Materials Science has been researching perovskite solar cells as an alternative to silicon. Perovskite is cheaper and, with development, just as efficient.

Trail Blazing Microplastics Project Examines the Impact on Our Health
26 October 2023

Every day we consume food and water contaminated with microplastics – tiny pieces of plastic debris resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. What is this doing to our bodies?

Students standing by the canal on campus after cleaning up the litter with nets and litter pickers. Canal Clean-Ups Are Back!
23 October 2023

Students and staff work together to take care of the canal that runs next to Mile End campus by fishing out the litter. All sessions are open to everyone to join in and help our canal thrive a little bit more. This semester's days are alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays, so check the dates below to get involved.

Students and staff next to the canal with buoyancy aids and paddles after litter picking in the River Lea. Canal Cleaning on Canoes
25 August 2023

We joined the Canal and River Trust using their rafted canoes to paddle around the River Lea and pick up litter.

Meet Some of Queen Mary’s Inspiring Environment Experts
12 July 2023

As people around the world unite to mark Earth Day (22 April) and call for a greener future, learn about some of the Queen Mary academics working to protect our planet.

Students smiling next to the raised beds allotments after doing some gardening. Queen Mary Allotments Supply the Curve
26 June 2023

Supplying The Curve restaurant with fresh tomatoes each year, the Queen Mary allotments can be found tucked behind the Village Shop. Students and staff can volunteer in the Allotment Sessions to plant, maintain and pick vegetables.

What Does the Size of a Plant Genome Tell Us about Its Chances of Survival?
22 May 2023

Professor Andrew Leitch and his group is researching the relationship between plant genomes and plant survival, hoping to predict patterns resulting from climate and other anthropogenic changes.

Clothes and stationary being given away for the Reuse Fair Reuse Fair Collections Are Open
12 May 2023

Donations are now being collected for the Reuse Fair! Students moving out are likely to find some items that they won't be taking with them, so leave it to us to find your old belongings new homes.

Students presenting their Green Digital Twins project about biodiversity on campus. Green Digital Twins in Mile End Campus
14 April 2023

Queen Mary students from the School of Engineering and Materials Science created Green Digital Twins, a virtual replica of physical assets for modelling environmental challenges and increase people's understanding of green spaces.

A graphic displaying the date for Green Week 2023 Green Week 2023
27 February 2023

Green Week is an annual celebration of sustainability where planet-friendly events are organised to raise awareness about the environment.

Students and staff after taking part in a Tree Maintenance workshop in Victoria Park. Tree Maintenance Workshop
12 December 2022

Student and staff volunteers went to Victoria Park for a tree maintenance workshop in celebration of National Tree Week.

Green Mary Funds Dental Sustainability Showcase
5 December 2022

Dentistry as a profession has a significant environmental impact, contributing to the global environmental emergency and having a substantial impact on human health. With funding from the “Green Mary Sustainability Fund” and support from Green at Barts Health a team of 18 student and staff volunteers at the Institute of Dentistry organised a dental sustainability event

How Queen Mary Research Influenced the Introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone
5 August 2022

Professor Jonathan Grigg and Professor Chris Griffiths have played a pivotal role in making London’s air healthier for us all by using innovative research to influence the introduction of the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the decline of diesel vehicle sales.

The Environmental Impact of Plastic-Based Pollutants
5 August 2022

Plastics are useful materials, but they now pollute our world − on land, and in oceans, rivers and lakes. There are great concerns about the damage they might be doing to the environment. While traditional plastics are non-degradable, strides have been made in developing alternative biodegradable polymers. How can we accurately measure the impact of all plastics? Where are they coming from, how do they degrade, what effects do they have, and can we stop the flow of pollution?

Professor Simon Kemp to deliver 2022 Drapers' Lecture
10 June 2022

Professor Simon Kemp from the University of Southampton will deliver this year's Drapers' Lecture on Tuesday 30 June 2022 at 5.00pm, speaking on Engaging students in sustainability: how the UN Sustainable Development Goals can lead to curriculum transformation, community partnership and student success  

AUDE - London & South East Regional Meeting: The Road to Net Zero
1 June 2022

The Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) AUDE is delighted to be working with business partner SSE Energy Solutions to deliver a free event at its London South East Regional Meeting titled: The Road to Net Zero.

Road to Net Zero: Heat Decarbonisation Plan 2022
24 May 2022

We are aware that climate change is one the major challenges facing humanity. Therefore, we are committed to play our part by reducing our carbon footprint as well as continue to improve our environmental performance. Our Heat Decarbonisation Plan (HDP) is currently one of the frameworks on which we intend to deliver our net zero ambition.

Water Saving Week: 23 – 27 May 2022
16 May 2022

We are aware of the overwhelming evidences of how climate change is affecting the ability of people across the world to access good quality and drinkable water. Our participation in the 2022 Water Saving Week is aligned with our commitment to respond to the current climate crisis. Click on the article to read more!

Plates on a table Reuse Scheme Collections
19 April 2022

Give It, Don’t Bin It with Queen Mary’s Reuse Scheme

The Problem With Palm Oil
4 April 2022

The Environmental Sustainability Champions provide information and resources about the negative impacts of palm oil.

A flask made of grass on a wooden bench Queen Mary Laboratories reduce environmental impacts through LEAF
18 March 2022

The first cohort of teams in Queen Mary’s Green Labs programme - LEAF celebrate their achievements.

A green leaf on a white background above text reading Green Mary Green Mary Sustainability Fund: 2021/22
17 March 2022

Find out more about the student and staff projects supported by the Green Mary Sustainability Fund in 2021/22.

New Secure Bicycle Storage at Mile End Campus
16 March 2022

Register for access to free secure cycle storage available to staff and students at Mile End campus. 

Global Recycling Day
9 March 2022

The Sustainability team at Queen Mary is partnering with Bywaters (Queen Mary's waste collection service contractor) and the new Zero Waste Shop to bring you an interactive event to learn all about recycling, and how we can help the environment.

Climate Crisis: Let Us Segregate Waste & Recycle
9 March 2022

As part of our commitment to addressing current environmental issues, we are working towards increasing the proportion of recyclable materials collected across our campuses to 50% by 2030. Find out how this affects and involves you.

sustainable goals image Sustainable Development Module: Reviews & Results
2 March 2022

We are currently offering all Queen Mary students a free optional module on sustainable development. Find out more about the course.

Green Week 2022 Highlights
22 February 2022

Green Week is a student led initiative, find out more about this year’s activities which took place 14-18 February

Free Bike Maintenance Drop-ins
11 February 2022

The Sustainability Team are offering free bike maintenance from the Dr Bike pop-up workshop on 24 and 25 February 2022

Mile End Canal Queen Mary ‘Living Laboratory for Sustainability’ Workshop
10 February 2022

Join us for a virtual workshop to explore the scope of a Living Laboratory at Queen Mary 

Decorative image with text reading Green Week Green Week 2022
8 February 2022

Green Week will be taking place in-person and online 14-18 February

A green leaf on a white background above text reading Green Mary Green Mary Sustainability Fund: 2021/22
28 January 2022

Passionate about sustainability? You can now apply to the new Green Mary Sustainability Fund and receive up to £500 for your project.

A green computer chip on a white table New project explores campus-based research into air quality and climate change through ‘Living Lab'
24 January 2022

A multidisciplinary Queen Mary team has received support from the Westfield Fund to demonstrate innovative opportunities to enhance the student learning on sustainability through campus-embedded research.

Donations Raise £11,000 for British Heart Foundation
7 January 2022

Donations from staff and students avoid waste and support vital research

Lightbulb on grass Climate Crisis: Let Us Stop Wasting Energy
7 December 2021

Get involved with our campaign to cut energy wastage across Queen Mary campuses

Cans Bow Foodbank Winter Appeal
1 December 2021

Students involved in the Green Mary Sustainability Group are collecting food & toiletry donations, raising money and promoting volunteering to support local Bow Foodbank

Fruit and Vegetables Sustainable Food Research on Campus
25 November 2021

Find out more about the sustainable food project which has been taking place in The Curve Restaurant this semester. 

Decorative image Queen Mary joins Tower Hamlets partnership towards a Net Zero Carbon borough
17 November 2021

Together, Queen Mary, Tower Hamlets Council and partners are joining forces to achieve net zero carbon by 2045 or sooner through the Net Zero Carbon Partnership Action Plan.

EcoCampus Logo Upcoming Sustainability Training Opportunities
15 November 2021

Expand your knowledge with sustainability training courses open to staff and PhD students.

Sustainability Week 2021 Highlights
25 October 2021

Sustainability Week 2021 took place 18-21 October in the run up to the COP26 Climate Negotiations in Glasgow

Students planting seedlings into raised beds Campus Allotments Come Alive
20 October 2021

Students and staff have been bringing nature to campus in the Green Mary Garden, 3rd year Physical Geography student Ayah Khan tells us more.

Students with litter pickers next to the Regent's Canal Canal Clean-Ups Help Local Wildlife
18 October 2021

Hear from 1st Year Biomedical Sciences student Sam Jarada how students have been helping to maintain our local waterways.

Three men stand in front of a newly planted tree Queen Mary Helps Preserve one of Britain's Rarest Trees
20 August 2021

Queen Mary University of London President and Principal Colin Bailey has taken part in planting a Black Poplar – one of Britain’s rarest trees – on the University’s Mile End campus.

An image showing bedding, crockery and electrical items arranged on tables at the September 2021 Reuse Fair Reuse Scheme 2021
19 August 2021

Thousands of items will be given a new home and reused as part of this semester's Reuse Fair. Find out more about getting involved.

EcoCampus Gold Full Size Queen Mary Achieved EcoCampus EMS Gold Certificate
13 August 2021

Queen Mary, University of London has continued to implement initiatives and processes to ensure that it is appropriately responding to all current and emerging risks as well as optimising opportunities to deliver good environmental outcomes.

A turtle swimming in the Regent's Canal Follow our Sustainability Social Media
6 August 2021

For the latest updates on what we're doing and how you can get involved follow @QMULSustain on Instagram and Facebook.

Clean Air Day 2021 Logo FREE Bike Maintenance & Advice - 17-18 June 2021
14 June 2021

As part of our commitment to contribute to reducing air pollution and its associated health consequences we will be hosting FREE Cycle Maintenance and Advice events across our campuses for Staff and Students.

World Environment Day 2021 logo World Environment Day 2021
17 May 2021

The Black Poplar is Britain’s rarest native timber tree and there are currently a handful of mature Black Poplars across the Borough of Tower Hamlets. These trees are also among priority species across London. 

Earth Day 2021 logo Earth Day 2021
21 April 2021

The 50th Earth Day will be celebrated across the world on Thursday 22 April 2021. The theme of this year’s Earth Day is “Restore the Earth”. Therefore, we are using this opportunity to remind everyone that every effort aimed at reducing our environmental and carbon footprint will invariably prevent the degradation of environment as well as mitigate disasters associated with climate change.

EcoCampus Silver award logo Queen Mary awarded EcoCampus EMS Silver Certification
21 April 2021

We are proud to announce that Queen Mary has successfully achieved the EcoCampus Environmental Management System (EMS) Silver Certification Award after a full-day external environmental audit conducted on 1 April 2021. Attaining this award is one of our commitments to continue to improve our environmental performance and embed good environmental practices across all areas of our operation.

Climate Crisis: Easter Switch-Off Campaign
7 April 2021

It is that time of the year again that we all look forward to celebrating Easter with our friends, families, and loved ones, which means that our campuses would become less active.
See how this affects and involves you.

Why Does It All Start With What We Eat
1 April 2021

The Environmental Sustainability Champions explore the origins of the food we eat, highlighting deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Disposable vs. Reusable Coffee Cups
31 March 2021

The Environmental Sustainability Champions write an article discussing the question: what is the environmental impact of your coffee cup and what you can do to reduce the damage caused?

Dr Joe Briscoe Queen Mary Researcher Receives €2 Million Grant to Develop More Efficient Solar Technology
17 March 2021

Dr Joe Briscoe, from the School of Engineering and Materials Science, has been awarded funding from the European Research Council (ERC) to investigate new ways to improve the efficiency of solar technology.

Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus Award Helping Hedgehogs on Campus
12 March 2021

We’re very excited to announce that we’ve achieved the Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus accreditation 

River Chess ChessWatch: Observations on a Citizen Science approach to catchment management
10 March 2021

The project, led by Professor Kate Heppell from Queen Mary’s School of Geography, will enable stakeholders and researchers to collaborate using scientific evidence to help shape management plans for the chalk stream of the River Chess, which flows through Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

Fruit and Vegetables Study Shows Subsidies Most Effective Way to Encourage Sustainable Food Choices
5 March 2021

The study, led by Dr Magda Osman from the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, investigated the impact of different interventions on encouraging people to select low carbon emission menu options in a simulated lunchtime canteen environment.

Sustainability working for a greener University logo Staff Environmental Sustainability Champions- Get Involved
2 March 2021

Find out about getting involved as a Staff Environmental Sustainability Champion

View of the Maths Building from Mile End Road Maths Building Shortlisted for BREEAM Awards 2021
17 February 2021

The Maths Transformation Project has been shortlisted for the BREEAM Awards 2021 which recognise the people, projects and organisations that are leading the way with significant achievements in sustainable building design, development and management.

Waves breaking Queen Mary Researchers to Help Unlock the Potential of Marine Wave Energy
15 February 2021

Queen Mary University of London have launched a new research project aimed at overcoming current challenges with devices that capture wave energy and convert it into electricity.

EcoCampus Bronze Logo Queen Mary Achieves EcoCampus Bronze award
25 January 2021

We are proud to announce that Queen Mary has been awarded the EcoCampus Bronze award, an independently accredited certification recognising the University’s work towards achieving an international standard of good practice in environmental management.

Students at Bow Foodbank Students Launch Bow Foodbank Appeal
8 December 2020

Students involved in the Green Mary Sustainability Group have been collecting food & toiletry donations, raising money and promoting volunteering to support local Bow Foodbank

Students planting an orchard Campus Orchard Planting Begins
6 December 2020

Queen Mary students and staff have begun an orchard project to bring more nature to our Mile End Campus

Should Trees Have Standing
13 November 2020

The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre is proud to mark the Second Global Annual Day of Action for Climate Change by hosting an online Panel Discussion on the topic of the Rights of Nature.

Petrol Ban Will Be a Breath of Fresh Air
12 November 2020

Researchers from the Blizard Institute contributed to recent discussions on the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles

Dr Ana Jorge Sobrido Queen Mary Researcher Awarded Ukri Future Leaders Fellowship
12 November 2020

Dr Ana Jorge Sobrido from Queen Mary University of London has today been named as one of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellows for her work to develop innovative energy storage systems.

image of a handbag Collaborating with SMEs to develop sustainable fashion
21 July 2020

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London’s School of Engineering and Materials Science are working with a multi-award winning accessories brand to drive forward sustainable innovation within the fashion industry.

A duck next to a river Tackling the Environmental Challenges of COVID-19
5 June 2020

Queen Mary University of London is one of five universities to receive funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to address and mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the environment and society.

Nursery Children Discover the Natural World at University Allotment
29 May 2020

Children at Queen Mary's Westfield Nursery have been discovering the natural world thanks to an allotment patch in the Green Mary Garden on our Mile End Campus.

Laura Kelly Scientists Find Genes to Save Ash Trees From Deadly Beetle
25 May 2020

An international team of scientists have identified candidate resistance genes that could protect ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a deadly pest that is expected to kill billions of trees worldwide.

Food From Student Halls Donated to A Plate for London Initiative
29 April 2020

Non-perishable food items left by students in residences on campus have found a new home and been donated to A Plate For London.

Get Involved in Sustainability at QMUL

There are plenty of ways for you, as a staff or student, to make your mark in sustainability at QMUL. Find out more about the opportunities available.     

Get Involved

If you could not find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question for the QMUL Sustainability team, please get in touch by email sustainability@qmul.ac.uk

In addition, you can get regular updates by following QMUL Sustainability on Instagram.

Back to top