Sustainability at USQ

Sustainability of the environment is important for the future generation’s accessibility to everyday resources. USQ is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020, and is implementing measures to conserve and enhance resources so that the needs of future generations are not compromised, including:

Current initiatives

Our current initiatives to reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainability include:

• water conservation 
• recycling and waste management 
• green transport
• energy management
• greener purchasing

Future projects and initiatives

To assist in the reduction of our carbon footprint, USQ is currently exploring such projects as:

• investigating commercial LED lighting solutions
• replacing fluoro light ballasts with electronic ballasts as lamp repairs are required, which reduces electricity consumption by 50% per light fitting
• stickers placed on light switches to remind staff and students to turn off the lights
• timers on kitchen and lunchroom hot water units that will save 50% of power consumption
• adjusting air-conditioner temperatures up in summer and down in winter by 1 degree
• water harvesting in buildings in addition to grounds irrigation use
• O3 Block is a test project to have a building fully independent of the town water supply
• waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.