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Sustainability and environmental work

Södertörn University works with sustainable development in education and research. Södertörn University also strives to minimise the university's environmental footprint. This work is supported by an environmental management system.

The information on this page is currently being updated.

Sustainable Policy

The sustainability policy should be known by all employees and students at Södertörn University and communicated both internally and externally. The sustainability policy must also be available to stakeholders and should be known by everyone who works on behalf of the university.

Södertörn University will contribute to sustainability through research, education,
collaboration and critical reflection on contemporary challenges. The university will actively and responsibly conduct work towards local, regional and global sustainability. The aim of this work is to contribute to guarantee environmental, social and economic sustainability for present and future generations as part of the Sustainable Development Goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Work is conducted based on both the direct and indirect impact that the university’s activities have on sustainability. Sustainability work is carried out with a focus on continual improvement, based on current legislation, and in line with national and international societal commitments.

The indirect work is performed on a broad basis, through research, education and external collaboration as regards the dimensions of sustainability and the 2030 Agenda, based on the competence and interest of university staff. Direct work on the dimensions of sustainability focuses primarily on Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16, and the goal targets that the university can affect through its activities.

Work on environmental sustainability must also particularly consider the Climate Framework, Sweden’s generational goal and its sixteen environmental quality objectives. The university must continuously reduce its carbon footprint in all its activities, with a particular focus on the life cycle perspective in procurement and purchasing, sustainable commuting and work travel, as well as sustainable newbuilds and rebuilds.

Work must be conducted through the systematic integration of sustainability and the environment in university activities, as well as by conveying knowledge and conducting


Responsibility

The Governing Board tasks the vice-chancellor with responsibility for establishing sustainability objectives and systematically following up that they are achieved, and for enabling staff to work towards sustainable development. All managers, employees and students are expected to participate actively in this work, individually, internally at the university, and with external stakeholders. The vice-chancellor will perform an annual evaluation of how work on promoting sustainability and the environment is progressing, using the university’s environmental management system and, where necessary, delegating tasks through the organisation. The vice-chancellor will provide information to and discuss this work regularly with the Governing Board.

Travels, digital meetings and the environment

Here you will find information on how to travel more environmentally friendly and about digital meetings/ video meetings

Some environmental advice along the way:

  • Have "travel-free meetings", virtual meetings i.e. conference calls, video meetings or video conferences.
  • Travel by train. (Always take the train if the journey does not take more than 4 hours).
  • When travelling by air, avoid layovers.
  • Use public transport, Choose a “green taxi”.
  • When renting a car, choose a "green car".

Read more

Business travel, policy and guidelines (University administration dep. Human Resources) (in Swedish).

Business travels should be booked with the travel agency Stureplans Affärsresebyrå, with which the university has an agreement. (University administration dep. Finance and Auditing).

Virtual meetings (i.e. conference calls, video meetings or video conferences) are friendly to the environment and save money and time.

Available software for virtual meetings/video meetings at Södertörn University:

Zoom

Zoom, a software for video meetings/video conferencing at Södertörn University as well as online education. The tool has features that support many different types of meetings, ranging from individual meetings with two participants to lectures and seminars with many presenters and listeners.

Instructions and contact information in Swedish and link to log in for Zoom.

Need help with Zoom? Please contact ikt-pedagogerna@sh.se

Skype for business

Skype for business is another software for video meetings at Södertörn University. The program is a standard installation at the university, and should be on your computer. You can find it in Office 365 or by searching for the software through the Windows Start menu. Skype for business is integrated with Outlook, which allows you to easily invite to a Skype for business meeting.

How to use Skype for business:

Teams

Microsoft Teams is a group working platform for chat and online meetings. You do not need to be a participant in a specific team to create an online meeting in Teams. Find more information here.

Equipment

To participate in a video meeting you will need a simple webcam and headset.
You can use the camera on your laptop, but for good sound quality for you and the other meeting participants it is best if you use a headset.

Through the university's e-commerce system you can order webcams and headsets.

Rent Equipment

Headset, webcam and phone for conference calls you can borrow at book at https://av.sh.se External link, opens in new window.

Office waste management and recycling

If you are unsure about anything related to recycling or waste, consult with the environmental representative in your department/equivalent, Campus support services (info@sh.se), or the Environmental coordinator (miljo@sh.se).

Packaging (paper, plastic, metal and glass):

All Packaging should be recycled! All packaging/containers (food containers, etc) is deposited in the recycling containers in the lunch/microwave room (there should be one for for each of following packaging fractions: paper, plastic, metal, coloured glass and clear glass).

Refundable drink cans:

Are returned to a shop or point of purchase for "PANT". (You and your colleges can save them in a box and have a PANT/refund-fika for the money you get back!)

Paper Recycling (surplus paper copies, newspapers and magazines):

Containers for "Paper for recycling" is available at many places, usually close to the printers.

Cardboard (bigger items, for example corrugated cardboard):

Recycling containers are usually placed close to the printers, or is collected in a given place after contact with Campus support services, email: info@sh.se

Batteries

All spent batteries must be collected for reuse or disposal!
Recycling containers in main entrance/reception or e-mail: info@sh.se
Note: Batteries containing the heavy metals lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium and cadmium are classed as hazardous waste.
Other batteries are not classed as hazardous waste.

Contact Campus support services at info@sh.se for collection for the following waste

Note: Do Not put this waste fractions in Combustible waste:

  • Electric waste (i.e electrical and electronic products)
  • Light sources/Light bulbs (Fluorescent tubes/Low energy lamps, LED- lamps) All light sources must be collected! Fluorescent tubes, low-energy lamps and other light sources containing mercury are classed as hazardous waste.
    Great care must be taken in leaving and handling light sources so that they do no burst or are not broken off.
  • Metal scrap (Metal object that is not metal packaging, iron scrap, screws, nails.)
  • Old furniture (may be reused or fixed).
  • Chemicals for office or household use. In principle, all chemical rests are classified as hazardous waste/goods and must not be poured down drains or put in bin for combustible waste.

University laboratory waste (i.e laboratory work in MD)

There are special procedures and regulations regarding university laboratory waste. Please contact Charlotta Warmark in order to get access to the safety manual.

Computers and computer equipment

Computers and computer equipment have special rules – contact your manager or/and Campus and ICT Services at info@sh.se.

KLARA - the university's chemical management system

KLARA is the chemical management system used by Södertörn University to keep track of its chemicals. KLARA is a product database with risk and safety information for chemical products.

In KLARA, employees can see which chemicals are in stock and in what quantities, perform risk assessments, and access safety data sheets. The system is also used to conduct annual inventories and register purchased chemicals, including laboratory chemicals and cleaning chemicals.

Employees who register, use, and purchase chemicals need an account for KLARA. The system owner is the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies (NMT). The laboratory technician at NMT have overall administrative responsibility for KLARA.

Get an account to KLARA

An account can be obtained by contacting laboratory technician Frida Norlin at the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies.

Contact

For questions about KLARA and accounts for KLARA, contact laboratory technician Frida Norlin.

For general questions about chemical management at Södertörn University, please contact the university's environmental coordinator, Charlotta Warmark.

Constant improvement!

Report improvement proposals and deviations in environmental and sustainability work: miljo@sh.se

Information

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For other questions, please email info@sh.se

2024-03-27 by Karolina Olofsson