Sustainability

In our halls of residence, we try to do our best to be the most sustainable we can. We will be running sustainability campaigns on our @BrookesResidences Instagram with useful tips to reduce energy, waste and water consumption.

We run a wide range of sustainability-focused events across our halls throughout the year - including monthly clothes swaps, sustainable pop-up food stalls where you can buy food without packaging, cooking workshops, and regular eco-themed pop-ups and giveaways.

Whether you’re looking to live more sustainably or just try something new, there’s something for everyone to get involved in!

Throughout the year, we organise an interhall waste competition. This helps students to educate and improve their waste management habits (and you get a chance to win a pizza party for the most improved hall!).

Oxford Brookes is proudly part of the SOS-UK Green Impact scheme.

We achieved the Bronze award for 2022/23, our Silver and Gold award for 2023/24 and Platinum for 2024/25!

We will be continuing to grow and develop the scheme across our Halls of Residences for 2025/26!

Rewilding projects within our halls

In 2023 we created two more rewilding projects in the halls! These projects are an excellent opportunity to increase the biodiversity and transform spaces. They encourage a positive environmental hub for local flowers and wildlife across our halls of residence. The projects also positively impact the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents.

Following on from our rewilding project, as part of the Green Impact Scheme, we have introduced bee hotels across our Brookes Halls. If you are passing by, feel free to visit our hotels:

Clive Booth - Booth’s Bee & Bee
Crescent Hall - Ash-bee-lean Museum
Paul Kent Hall - Buzzingham Palace
Warneford Hall - Wingsor Castle
Westminster Hall - Bee-tanical Garden

Waste Competition

In Semester 2 of 2024/25, we increased our average recycling and food rate by 11% across our halls by introducing the Hall Waste Competition! Our winners, Crescent Hall, won an evening of pizza and garden games to celebrate!

We’re kicking off our Waste Competition for 2025/26 to encourage recycling, reduce waste, and spark some friendly rivalry between halls! From September, halls will go head-to-head to see who can recycle the most - and win some prizes along the way.

Can you recycle enough to make your hall top of the leaderboard this year?

How does it work?

Each hall’s recycling will be monitored and measured monthly.
The hall that recycles the most each month will win, and individual students from the winning hall will be selected to receive prizes!
At the end of both semesters, the overall recycling champion hall will be crowned!

How to take part

Make sure you're using the correct bins in your hall.
Encourage your flat mates to recycle items properly - every bit counts!
Keep an eye out for tips, reminders, and updates from us.

Updates

We’ll be posting monthly leaderboards and competition updates. Follow us on Intstagram at @brookesresidences to stay in the loop and see how your hall is doing!