Sustainability is a shared responsibility at ANU. We embed it in everything we do, from research and teaching to campus operations, but real impact happens when everyone plays a part. This page shows how you can bring sustainability to life in your day-to-day work and study and join a wider community taking action across campus.
Our principles
Sustainability is not just a goal at ANU. We are committed to embedding it in how we operate, teach and engage with our community. We are committed to minimising our environmental impact and integrating sustainable practices across all areas of university life. Our approach is guided by five key principles:
- Reducing our footprint - Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, recovering or reusing resources, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable design in our buildings.
- Creating an inclusive, safe campus – Ensuring ANU is a diverse, welcoming and safe space for all staff, students, and visitors.
- Engaging with our communities – Upholding human rights, collaborating with broader communities and embedding First Nations perspectives in our research, teaching and engagement.
- Embedding sustainability in education and research – Integrating environmental sustainability concepts into our teaching and research programs.
- Building strong partnerships – Working with organisations and individuals who share our commitment to sustainability.
These values shape our decisions and actions, but real change happens when we all take part. Explore how you can help put these values into action every day in the sections below.
How you can contribute
Smarter ways to work and study
The way we learn and work shapes the University's environmental impact. Embed sustainability into your study habits, workplace practices, and shared spaces:
Events & travel planning
- Use the Carbon Smart Events Guide to run low-carbon, low-waste activities.
- Plan work or study travel with the Carbon Smart Travel Guide.
- Choose sustainable transport options: walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool. View the Commute Smart Guide for advice on how to do this in Canberra and elsewhere.
- Where possible, opt for digital meetings and hybrid events instead of requiring travel.
Labs, offices, and shared spaces
- Share office spaces or hot-desk where appropriate.
- Share office spaces to reduce energy use from separate heating and lighting.
- Reduce lab water use by turning off taps promptly and using low flow when washing labware.
- Keep waterways clean. Don’t pour oils, chemicals or other waste into drains.
- In labs, close sashes on fume hoods to the recommended height and maintain freezers for energy efficiency.
- Turn off lab and office equipment when not required.
Digital & resource-efficient practices
- Check Recyclopaedia before disposal to see what can be reused or recycled.
- Use electronic documents instead of printing.
- Minimise printing where necessary and print double-sided.
- Use approved recycling systems for IT equipment, batteries, paper, and cardboard.
Everyday choices
Small habits make a big difference. Here are simple, practical ways to reduce your environmental impact on campus. Join the ANU Green Network and connect with like-minded staff and students to find more practical tips.
Energy & comfort
- Switch off lights, monitors and equipment when not in use.
- Turn off heaters and fans when leaving a room.
- Dress for the season to reduce heating/cooling needs.
- Adjust air conditioning wisely. Set cooling to 24°C and layer up in winter.
Travel
- Choose low-carbon transport: walk, cycle, use public transport, or carpool.
- Opt for digital or hybrid meetings whenever possible.
Water
- Only run dishwashers when full.
- Turn off taps promptly and use low-flow options when washing labware.
- Report leaks or pipe issues to fixmycampus@anu.edu.au.
Resource recovery & biodiversity
- Bring reusable items (keep cup, cutlery and a water bottle) to reduce single-use items. Refill your water bottle at stations across ANU.
- Choose items with minimal packaging, buy second-hand, avoid single-use plastics.
- Use the Be Bin Smart Toolkit to dispose of materials correctly, reduce waste stream contamination and help reduce emissions from landfill.
- Recycle responsibly – use e-waste bins for IT equipment, phones and batteries, and paper and cardboard bins near most printers on campus. Check Recyclopaedia to see what can be reused or recycled.
- Use Container Deposit Scheme machines and food organics bins at Marie Reay.
Join and contribute
Sustainability at ANU is a team effort. Get involved with programs and groups to collaborate, share ideas, and help build a greener campus.
Participate and connect
- Join the ANU Green Network and connect with like-minded staff and students.
- Follow @Green_ANU on Instagram for tips, stories, and practical actions.
- Take part in initiatives and opportunities advertised on our Get Involved page and in the Green Network.
Download our guides
Campus wide activities
Every action adds up. By making conscious choices in how you work, study, and move around campus, you help us drive real progress in sustainability on campus. Explore how we are embedding sustainability in every part of ANU through our strategy and projects.
ANU staff or student? Join the ANU Green Network.
Stay up to date on sustainability at ANU.
