Venue Sustainability

Sustainability at UNSW Venues

UNSW is committed to delivering environmentally responsible events and operates one of the most sustainable university campuses in Australia. Events held at UNSW benefit from a range of sustainability initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining a high-quality delegate experience.

Energy & Carbon Reduction

    • 100% Renewable Electricity
      All UNSW campuses, including event venues, are powered by 100% renewable electricity.
    • Fully Electrified Buildings
      The Scientia Building has been fully electrified since 2025, supporting UNSW’s transition away from fossil fuels.
    • On-site Solar Generation
      • 14 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations across Kensington Campus
      • Total capacity of 1.5 MWh per year
      • Includes a 69.6 kWp system on the Scientia rooftop

Water Conservation

    • Bore water is used for air conditioning systems and landscape irrigation, reducing reliance on potable water.

    • The Village Green Onsite Retention (OSR) system captures up to 60% of stormwater runoff (16ML) and redirects it back into the Botany Sands aquifer rather than the local stormwater network.

    • All venues provide access to potable drinking water via fountains or taps.

Waste Management & Resource Recovery

UNSW operates a comprehensive waste diversion and recovery program.

General Waste

Collected by Doyle Bros and processed at a materials recovery facility in Fairfield East, where waste is sorted into:

    • Paper & Cardboard
      Recycled by Opal into new paper products.

    • Metals
      Reprocessed by Sell & Parker and Sims Metal for reuse in manufacturing.

    • Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF)
      Used as an alternative fuel in industrial processes, including cement production, reducing reliance on coal.

    • Landfill
      Only non-recyclable materials (e.g. crushed glass, food-contaminated items) are sent to landfill.

Food Waste

Food organics are sent to EarthPower (Western Sydney), where they are:

    • Converted into renewable energy via anaerobic digestion

    • Used to generate electricity for up to 4,000 homes

    • Processed into nutrient-rich fertiliser for agricultural use

UNSW waste guide

Digital-First Event Delivery

To minimise waste, UNSW encourages a digital-first approach:

    • No printed materials

    • Digital signage and electronic noticeboards

    • Event websites, mobile apps, and QR codes

    • Digital tickets and programs

Accessibility & Inclusion

UNSW venues support inclusive and accessible events, including:

    • Step-free access to conference and breakout spaces

    • Accessible amenities

    • Quiet rooms and prayer spaces (subject to venue availability)

    • Flexible room layouts for meetings and workshops

    • Multilingual support available (Korean, Japanese, and Chinese translations)

Active Transport & Access

UNSW is well connected by sustainable transport options:

    • Light rail, train and bus access

    • Shaded pedestrian walkways

    • Extensive cycling network with end-of-trip facilities

    • On-campus bicycle parking

    • Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations

UNSW Kensington campus sustainability map

Catering & Sustainable Food Choices

    • Onsite catering partners include Vanilla Blue and The Catering Project

    • Locally sourced ingredients where possible

    • Reusable or compostable service ware

    • Vegan and vegetarian options available

While catering partners do not exclusively specialise in plant-based menus, a fully vegetarian or plant-based menu is strongly encouraged to align with sustainability goals.

For other events, UNSW has successfully partnered with:

    • OzHarvest

    • The Plant-Based Project