College Sustainability Challenge
Become the most sustainable college on campus this year with our College Sustainability Challenge!
The College Sustainability Challenge is run by SOS-UK, but we tailor it to the University of York. It is a sustainability campaign which supports and encourages students to live sustainability, with a specific focus on saving energy and water, as well as recycling and reducing waste. Students living in the most sustainable college win a prize at the end of the year.
Take part in regular competitions and quizzes throughout the year, and volunteer to help make our University living more sustainable!
Water Action Week competitions & masterclass – Enter for a chance to win one of ten £5 vouchers:
- Competition: How much water is wasted when taps are left running?
- Competition: What uses the most water?
- Masterclass: Climate crisis, food systems, and water scarcity
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Save energy before you leave campus
If you're leaving campus for the Easter break, complete our switch-off checklist (where possible), to help save energy and to compete to win a prize for your college:
- Switch off lights
- Close windows
- Set radiator thermostats to frost (turn radiator dial to star setting*)
- Switch off monitors and laptops
- Unplug mobile phone chargers
- Switch off TV completely
- Switch off electrical items
- Switch off any heaters
- Check for other appliances that can be switched off
How can I get involved?
Our top tips for saving energy
Switch off lights
when you don't need them
Do your laundry
at 30 degrees
Don't overfill your kettle
boil what you need
Put a lid on pans
when cooking if possible
Close the windows
if the heating is on
Only print
when it’s absolutely essential
Print double-sided
if you do need to print or photocopy
Use stairs if you can
leave the lift for those who need it
College Leaderboard
Congratulations to February's top colleges!
Derwent College leads the midway overall leaderboard, followed by Wentworth College in 2nd place and Alcuin College in 3rd place.
Thanks to all students for your efforts in saving energy and engaging with the challenge! The more energy you save and the more you participate, the higher you climb on the leaderboard, with the winning college receiving a (sustainably themed) prize at the end of the year.
The next leaderboard will be revealed in Spring. Track your progress through pledges, competitions, and climate quizzes. Visit SOS-UK for the latest ways to get involved.
| College ranking | College |
|---|---|
| 1st place | Derwent |
| 2nd place | Wentworth |
| 3rd place | Alcuin |
| 4th place | David Kato |
| 5th place | Constantine |
| 6th place | James |
| 7th place | Anne Lister |
| 8th place | Halifax |
| 9th place | Goodricke |
| 10th place | Langwith |
| 11th place | Vanbrugh |
Previous Leaderboard winners
| College ranking | College |
|---|---|
| 1st place | Derwent |
| 2nd place | Alcuin |
| 3rd place | David Kato |
| 4th place | Wentworth |
| 5th place | Constantine |
| 6th place | James |
| 7th place | Anne Lister |
| 8th place | Goodricke |
| 9th place | Halifax |
| 10th place | Langwith |
| 11th place | Vanbrugh |
| College ranking | College |
|---|---|
| 1st place | James |
| 2nd place | Derwent |
| 3rd place | Alcuin |
| 4th place | Wentworth |
| 5th place | Constantine |
| 6th place | Halifax |
| 7th place | David Kato |
| 8th place | Anne Lister |
| 9th place | Goodricke |
| 10th place | Langwith |
| 11th place | Vanbrugh |
1st place: David Kato College
2nd place: Wentworth College
3rd place: Halifax College