Campus Services

Our Campus Services have various initiatives in place to reduce our energy consumption and to promote recycling, and each year we submit a climate change report to the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN).

Our Climate Action Framework, outlines potential projects and process changes that we can consider in order to reduce our carbon footprint to net zero.

We hope that while you are studying with us, you can play your part in helping us to minimise waste, reduce our energy use and recycle as much as possible.

Sustainable catering on campus

Since 2015, Hospitality Services have reduced their electricity consumption by 40% and their gas usage by 30%, thanks to a phased replacement of gas appliances with electrical and more efficient models, with our year-on-year carbon emissions reduction targets of 5% having been met since 2015.

Food waste weights have also decreased over the same time period, thanks to a comprehensive food waste management plan which ensures that stock is rotated and food is cooked to order.

Residential and Cleaning Services

Residential and Cleaning Services are embedding sustainability into everyday operations by focussing on reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and sourcing responsibly. Following a review of their activities, the team made an active decision to place sustainability as a highly visible and measurable focus area.

They have positioned sustainability at the centre of their work, setting clear objectives and integrating environmental and social considerations into daily decision-making.

Their ongoing programme of improvements includes empowering staff through training, exploring process innovation, and implementing practical actions that support more sustainable residences and cleaning operations. This approach reflects a wider commitment to making sustainability a core part of how services are delivered across the University.

By developing a forward plan, and engaging stakeholders in these efforts, Residential and Cleaning Services are helping to ensure that sustainability becomes a defining part of life at Heriot-Watt University.

The plan reflects a broader cultural shift, one where sustainability is not an “add-on”, but a core value shaping how services are delivered across residences and cleaning operations.

As the RCS team shows, meaningful change happens when commitment meets action. Staff, students, and other stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the plan, support its delivery, and take inspiration from its example, helping to make sustainability a defining part of life at Heriot-Watt University.