MU Student Union Ltd is committed to environmental sustainability and has implemented a number of environmental friendly programs within Union House through the ideas and initiatives of staff and students. These strategic initiatives are tangible evidence of the Student Unions ongoing commitment to a sustainable local and global community.

Purchasing

Retail Products

We offer various environmental alternatives in Student Union run businesses. Based on demand intend to offer more. We retail corn starch and recycled plastic pens in The Workshop. In the Union shop we have retailed No Sweat shoes.

Coffee

Commercial Operations has shifted to using Jasper’s Fair Trade coffee.

Copiers

All copiers/printers that are purchased by MU Student Union Limited must contain the ability to double sided printing.

Pre-Purchasing Checklists

This form must be completed and authorised by the departments senior manager for all purchases that breach any EH&S Policy.

Recycling

Banners

MU Student Union Ltd recycles all it’s old canvas banners. These are distributed to the School of Architecture, Building and Planning for student projects and Haul, a company that recycles canvas into bags.

Batteries

Human Resources hosts a container where staff can drop-off batteries where they are then recycled by the University Environment Office.

Cardboard/Paper

The Student Union has a contract with Visy to provide paper and cardboard recycling. Visy bins are provided to all staff that require them (desk sized), with bigger units for common areas. Tenant cardboard is collected and recycled.

Glass, Plastic and Cans

Co-mingle bins are provided to food court areas, and the items are sent for recycling.

Oil

Tenants are provided with a facility to deposit used cooking oil, which is recycled.

Printer Toners

Toners are recycled through Fuji Xerox/IT Services.

Transport

Bike Racks

The Student Union supports the use of Bicycles as a preferred mode of transport. We have leased space to a bicycle retailer. We have also developed a landscape plan for the Union House surrounds, and are lobbying for additional bicycle racks to encourage use.

Company Vehicles

The Student Union supports the use of Flexicar for work related travel. The Flexicar company supports the car-share philosophy, reducing the number of cars on the road, and uses environmentally friendly Smart cars.

Public Transportation

Human Resources is encouraging staff to switch from Private to Public Transport by organising discounted Metcards for staff that require them.

Water Conservation

Paint Interceptors

Installed in the Arts Lab and loading bay and is used to capture paints, clays and other wastes and stop them from entering into the sewerage system.

Trade Waste

Grease traps provided to retail tenancies to prevent waste from entering into the sewerage system.

Waterless Urinals

Urinals located in the main basement are waterless and greatly reduced water consumption