Initiatives

100% Renewable Electricity

An equal first Australian University to procure a 100% renewable electricity supply agreement, and a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. We have achieved this at a rate 10% cheaper than the University has paid per kWh of electricity historically slashing our total carbon emissions by 45% taking them down from 75,000 tonnes in 2019 to approximately 41,000 tonnes in 2022 (as per the Climate Active methodology and includes Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions).

The seven-year deal has also delivered cost efficiencies for the university including a 10% reduction in the per Kwh rate. In addition, we have completed the progressive installation of 1.1MW of on-site PV solar (3-4000 panels) which will generate our own electricity across multiple buildings. 534kWs have been installed to date.

Green Impact

The Green Impact program raises awareness of sustainability by giving people a focused approach to tackling issues and supporting them in achieving these actions. The voluntary program is designed to be a fun, flexible and social way to support staff in undertaking targeted actions to make our University have a more sustainable campus.

Electric Vehicle Charging

The university has invested in sustainable transport though the installation of electric vehicle charging stations across Callaghan campus.

Water efficiency

Installed 2 x 1.1million litre rainwater tanks to irrigate our sporting fields and reduce our demand for potable water. This comes in addition to the historical construction of 2million litres of stormwater retention ponds to irrigate our ovals, as well as installing over 500,000 litres of rainwater tanks across our Campuses. Through various initiatives, we have reduced the total water potable consumption from 272 million litres in 2019 to 221 million litres in 2023. This equates to a 19% reduction or 51 million litres.. These initiatives are actively reducing the University’s CO2-e emissions resulting from our water consumption.

Simply cups

The University is collaborating with Simply Cups to recycle disposable coffee cups, diverting them from landfill. These recycled cups are then used to make reusable coffee cups – the rCup – a world first reusable coffee cup made from recycled coffee cups, as well as a range of other products.

Plastic Free

Plastic Free is an ongoing campaign designed to support our staff, students and community in a shift away from single-use plastic to more sustainable alternatives.

Our goal is to remove single-use plastic products from key areas on campuses by the end of 2025.

Composting On Campus

Here at the university we divert between 40 to 60% of our waste from landfill but as part of our Environmental Sustainability Plan targets, we have committed to driving this up to 70% of our general waste by 2021. This target will position the University as a sector leader in waste management practices.

Community garden

The UON Community Garden is located on Oval 4 behind the Wollotuka Institute and grows a seasonal range of fruit, vegetables and herbs. The garden is sustainable featuring two water tanks, compost bin, solar pump and six raised beds.

Waste Diversion Tracking

We are actively committed to strengthening our waste management practices and principles to continue to increase diversion of general waste away from landfill.