Operational SustainabilityCase studies & highlights

Case Study: Technology & Innovation Centre: sustainability in action

Since opening in 2015, our Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) has become a true exemplar in sustainability, led by our Conferencing and Events Team. 

With support from Sustainable Strathclyde, the team applied for the Green Tourism award scheme, and in 2019 achieved their bronze award, followed by the silver and gold awards in quick succession.

Technology & Innovation Centre staff with Green Tourism award  

The team have continued to look at all aspects of their products and services which includes the venue itself, the catering offering, delegate travel to the venue, AV and IT equipment required for events, and the materials used by organisers, delegates and exhibitors. This has resulted in the team creating their own green policy, with highlights including building energy efficiency measures, onsite water bottling, active travel facilities and initiatives and hands on support for delegates.  

Our Catering Team have also worked hard to improve their sustainable menu offering, including implementing a plant-forward approach, removing beef from all menus in 2023 and emphasising more veggie and vegan options. Catering also help clients to prevent food waste by donating to the University of Strathclyde Foodbank Society, or to one of their approved food redistribution partners such as Launch Foods.  

TIC’s commitment to continual improvement in sustainability and wellbeing, and supporting clients to make their events as green as possible has been widely recognised, with the team winning a Glasgow Business Award for Green Champion, and the Green Meetings Gold Award.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) alignment

  • SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing)
  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production)
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action)
  • SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Highlights

National Manufacturing Institute Scotland

The University is a founding partner and operator of the £57M National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). This groundbreaking facility opened  in 2023 and aims to boost the Scottish manufacturing community through hosting world-class R&D facilities and working with businesses of all sizes and sectors.

Not only is NMIS an exemplar of Strathclyde’s sector-leading approach to collaboration with industry, government and academia; it embodies Strathclyde’s strategic commitment to sustainability.

Circular economy across campus

The materials we use can have significant social and environmental impacts, so we are committed to using our resources more efficiently. In 2021, we achieved 100% waste diverted from landfill and continue to explore ways to improve our recycling infrastructure and embed circularity into our operations.

Since 2024, the University has made strong progress in furniture upcycling and refurbishment, with 263 items reused or refurbished to date. This has resulted in savings of over £34,000 compared to purchasing new furniture and avoided an estimated 19,368 kgCO₂e.

Sustainable Labs milestones

In 2016, the University of Strathclyde launched Sustainable Labs to drive sustainability within laboratories. Early champions were celebrated through the first Sustainable Labs Awards, helping build momentum for change.

In 2019, the S-Lab PhD Credit Course earned international recognition for its innovative approach. Progress continued in 2023 with the launch of the LEAF Awards, helping reduce energy use and waste across labs without compromising research. That same year, the team published its first academic paper, calling for mandatory sustainability training in laboratories and sharing insights from a fume cupboard case study.