12 Days of Sustainability

Did you know we spend 29% more on average over the festive season. This overconsumption hurts our pocket and our planet. From gift ideas to energy-saving hacks, our 12 Days of Sustainability infographic will help you make small changes with a big impact. 

Sustainable Christmas Tree Challenge

The Property Division has launched a Sustainable Christmas Tree Design and Create Challenge – and welcomes all staff and students to participate! 

Each year, the the UK discards 8 million real Christmas trees (Environmental Audit Committee, 2022). Imperial is committed to reducing its overall waste and increasing sustainability around our regular and seasonal initiatives. The Sustainable Christmas Tree Challenge supports this commitment by inviting teams of staff and students to design and construct a reusable tree made entirely from salvaged, rescued, repurposed or recycled materials. 

Eligible trees will be on display from Monday 16 November – Thursday 19 November in the Main Entrance of South Kensington campus, where visitors, staff and students can vote for their favourite design. The winning tree design will be announced on Thursday 19 November at the Sustainable Festive Fair, and the winning design team will win a festive meal at Eastside bar. 

Teams can be comprised of up to 8 staff and students and must have sign-off of plans from a senior staff member within their department. Each participating team is invited to create a Christmas tree that: 

  • Is constructed primarily from salvaged, rescued, reused or recycled materials. 
  • Is safe for display in public spaces, with no sharp edges, trip hazards or other safety concerns. 
  • Is structurally stable and suitable for display in a busy university environment. 
  • Ideally can be easily dismantled, folded or stored for reuse in future years. 
  • Demonstrates creativity, sustainability and festive spirit. 

Full requirements for teams are listed below. Please review before registering. 

Teams wishing to participate in the competition, must register via the registration form by 17:00 on Friday 30 October. 

Any questions, please get in touch with sustainable@imperial.ac.uk.  

 Key dates and deadlines 

  • Friday 30 October, 17:00 - Challenge team registration deadline 
  • w/c 9 November - Safety check for designed trees 
  • Monday 16 – Thursday 19 November – Trees on display in Main Entrance, South Kensington campus for voting period 
  • Thursday 19 November – Winning tree design announced at Sustainable Festive Fair 
  • Friday 20 November – Trees distributed among campus for display throughout festive season 

 Full tree requirements:  

  • The tree must be capable of being dismantled or folded for storage and reuse in future years 
  • Trees should primarily be constructed from salvaged, rescued or reused materials that would otherwise have been disposed of. 
  • Materials must be clean, structurally sound and suitable for use in an occupied building. Contaminated or otherwise hazardous materials must not be used. 
  • The finished tree must have no sharp edges, exposed nails, screws or other hazardous protrusions. Glass or other easily breakable or sharp materials must not be used. 
  • The tree must be between 5 and 7 ft high. 
  • The tree must have a stable base and must not be at foreseeable risk of tipping or collapsing. 
  • Decorations are welcome but must meet the same material and safety requirements as the tree itself and should be suitable for reuse in future years. 
  • No glitter. 
  • No candles, naked flames or other ignition sources are permitted. Entrants must not install their own mains-powered electrical equipment or lighting unless specifically agreed. (We will be providing lighting) 
  • The tree should be made from flame-retardant materials or materials that are suitable for treatment with an appropriate fire-retardant spray. 
  • The construction/build process must be appropriately risk assessed. Construction activities must be undertaken in a suitable location and in accordance with relevant local or workshop safety arrangements, including any requirements for supervision, competency, training and PPE. 
  • A safety check will be undertaken before any tree is accepted for display. We retain the right to require alterations or decline to display an entry where it presents a safety risk. 

Don’t leave your lab or office lit up like a Christmas tree over the holiday period

Here are some handy tips on how to cut down on unnecessary energy consumption in offices and labs over the winter break. 

Laboratories

Did you know a single fume hood can use as much energy as 3.5 households every day? So, this Christmas break, lower the sash (energy savings upwards of 40%), tidy your hood and switch off the lights. 

Also, avoid standby mode on PCs, monitors, and lab equipment, and turn off when not in use (WARNING: make sure you do not switch off someone else’s long-term data collection or run!)  

Offices 

Before you head off, make sure you: 

  • Turn off your computer, monitors and printer.
  • Unplug any adapters.
  • Switch off the lights.