Bradford-led research could cut cement CO2 emissions by 40%
The University of Bradford is set to play a central role in a ground-breaking international research project which could dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. Working with a Post Doctoral Research Fellow from Tianjin University, China, and the Holcim Innovation Center, France, Bradford researchers will help develop a new concrete technology capable…
City of York Council set to expand smoke control area to improve air quality and health
City of York Council is set to approve plans to expand the Smoke Control Area (SCA) to cover the entire city, in a major step towards cleaner air and healthier communities, at a meeting next week. Currently, 80 per cent of York’s households are within an SCA. The new citywide approach will ensure consistent rules…
City of York Council to begin engagement on introducing wheeled recycling bins
City of York Council will begin talking with residents on proposals to move from kerbside recycling boxes to wheeled recycling bins, aiming to make recycling easier, safer and more efficient for households across the city. The proposed change forms part of the Council’s wider transformation of waste services. It would support future national recycling requirements,…
New Leeds Beckett University partnership to simplify solar energy adoption for businesses
Electronic engineering and computer science experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are partnering with Huddersfield-based Zenergy Solar on a research-led project designed to make large-scale solar energy systems easier to install, monitor and manage – particularly for organisations operating across multiple sites. The collaboration brings together LBU’s expertise in computing, data systems and applied research…
New ‘click before you tip’ booking system introduced at Hazel Court HWRC
City of York Council will introduce a pre‑booked timeslot system at Hazel Court Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) from Monday 2 March, to help reduce congestion, improve safety and provide a better experience for residents and site users. Under the new ‘Click Before You Tip’ approach, all visitors – including residents, registered traders, charities and…
Bradford research powers first global launch of plastic‑free drink technology
A breakthrough University of Bradford technology that could eliminate billions of single‑use plastic bottles is hitting the global market this week, with a New Zealand drinks launch built on the University’s patented co‑crystal science and manufactured under exclusive licence by Yorkshire firms Octopoda Innovations and Health Innovations (UK). A University of Bradford research breakthrough with…
Leeds students gain real-world sustainability experience as part of live construction project
Product design students have been set a real-world sustainability challenge following a visit to a major live construction project in Leeds. Students from Elliott Hudson College were welcomed on site while work is underway to significantly expand the existing Primark store at White Rose Shopping Centre. Lindum Group is delivering the project on behalf of…
Two fly‑tippers fined over £2,000 as council enforces ‘Crime – Not to Care’
Two residents found to have illegally dumped waste, have been prosecuted by City of York Council. On Thursday 22 January, York Magistrates Court ordered them to pay a total £2,190 in fines, costs, and surcharges, as the council continues to deliver its ‘Crime – Not to Care’ campaign and protect neighbourhoods from environmental harm. Jake…
Carbon Neutral Group lists sector net zero readiness in Hospitality, FMCG, Manufacturing, Logistics and Retail
Carbon Neutral Group, who work with organisations to build actionable net zero roadmaps, grounded in robust carbon accounting and operational change, has reviewed industry sectors and their road in sustainability, specifically those who are leading the way to becoming net zero, by examining their decarbonisation progress across five major industries. When it comes down to…
2026 Garden Waste Subscription Scheme open
Households eligible to subscribe to the 2026 Garden Waste Subscription Scheme can now sign up ahead of the new season in March. The easiest way to sign up for the scheme is to complete an online form at www.york.gov.uk/GardenWaste Support is available for anyone who is not able to apply this way by calling 01904…
Bradford College ‘Junction Mills’ Development Achieves Sustainability Award for Carbon Savings
Bradford College is celebrating after attaining Morgan Sindall Construction’s platinum certification for outstanding carbon savings on a new building development. It was the only project in the whole of the Yorkshire region to achieve this status in 2025. Bradford College’s £19.3 million Junction Mills building on Thornton Road has saved an impressive 473 tonnes of…
York St John now the highest rated university in the region for sustainability
A record 91 place rise in the People & Planet sustainability and ethical performance rankings Sustainability work right across York St John University is behind a record result in People & Planet’s University League 2025. This is the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. York St…
How AI can be used to help combat wildfires
The University of Bradford is using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot wildfires early and send alerts to emergency teams, helping them act quickly and reduce damage. Wildfire detection in remote areas is risky for responders, an issue raised at AI for All, the University of Bradford’s event at MyLahore in Birmingham on using new technologies…
YorEnergy retrofit event to help York and North Yorkshire residents cut bills and make homes warmer
Residents across York and North Yorkshire are invited to discover how to make their homes warmer, greener, and cheaper to run at the YorEnergy Retrofit Futures event on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at York Guildhall. The event also marks the public launch of YorEnergy, a new end-to-end home retrofit service developed through the Retrofit One…
York has cut city-wide emissions by 16% in just two years
City of York Council has confirmed there’s been a 16 per cent reduction in city-wide carbon emissions since 2021, as the council acts to improve health and cut costs, whilst marking significant progress towards the city’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030. The figures, published in the latest City-Wide Emissions Report, show emissions fell from…
Why climate change affects women more than men
TV weather presenter Laura Tobin hosted a conference to discuss why climate change adversely affects women more than men. Climate Justice for Women was held at University of Bradford, which three years ago gained members status of COP (COP30, the largest global United Nations event for discussions and negotiations on climate change, runs until November…
York Walls in Bloom: Celebrating the changing seasons
As part of the York Walls in Bloom initiative, the vibrant wildflowers across the city’s historic walls are carefully managed to reflect the natural rhythm of the seasons. Now the summer blooms are starting to fade, City of York Council and dedicated volunteers, led by St Nicks, are coming together to care for these unique spaces….
EPG expands environmental expertise through acquisition of Hafren Water
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hafren Water (hafrenwater.com), a respected environmental consultancy specialising in hydrology and hydrogeology services. This acquisition marks another exciting milestone in EPG’s continued growth, with Hafren Water’s hydrogeology expertise complementing EPG’s existing services and strengths with the ability to deliver integrated water and geoenvironmental…
Bradford Energy Network to slash University’s carbon footprint by 90%
A ground-breaking city-wide heat network is set to cut the University of Bradford’s carbon emissions by 90%. The Bradford Energy Network (BEN), developed by low-carbon infrastructure firm 1Energy, is a £75 million initiative that will transform how buildings across the city are heated. The University is the anchor partner and main sponsor of the project,…
Have your say on York’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
City of York Council has worked with key partners including the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to prepare a draft Local Flood Risk Management strategy. The draft opened for consultation on 19 October and will run until the 11 January at www.york.gov.uk/consultations The strategy updates the 2014 strategy version and reflects learnings from major flood events, including those in…
York residents can now recycle more at kerbside
For the first time, residents across York can now recycle food and drink cartons and toothpaste tubes in the same container as glass, plastics and tins, thanks to an upgrade to the city’s kerbside recycling service. This change marks a significant step forward in simplifying household recycling and forms part of the UK Government’s new…
Green Business Forum focus on Energy bills as they celebrate their second anniversary
With October marking the second anniversary of the formation of the York Green Business Forum the group are celebrating by hosting their upcoming event focussing on energy bills. The event is taking place as part of York Environment Festival 2025, and aims to help businesses across the city tackle their energy bills and learn how…
Weather presenter set to shine light on climate inequality
National TV weather presenter Laura Tobin will host a debate on how women are unequally affected by climate change held at the University of Bradford. Laura will also be part of an expert panel of scientists, industry experts, academics and activists at ‘Climate Justice for Women’, on Thursday 6 November. They will discuss why women…
Professor’s vision for future cities inspires international award
The next generation of architects and urban planners will be honoured through an international award created in memory of a University of Bradford academic. ‘The City of My Future – Professor Claudia Trillo Award’ will promote the work of young researchers in the field of sustainable urban regeneration. The award celebrates the work…
Grab five muddy minutes for health boost
A University of Bradford academic is calling on people to embrace nature and spend five minutes in the mud, revealing our gut microbes – affectionately dubbed ‘belly bugs’ – thrive when we do. Dr Elizabeth Kiilu, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University, said: “Your belly is full of friendly microbes – and they’re…
York community shapes new rivers trail at soft launch walk
As part of York Walking Festival and York Environment Festival, York residents joined a creative riverside walk to help shape the new York rivers trail. The trail, co-designed with schools, stakeholders and local communities, will blend art, science and local voices to tell the city’s flood and climate story when it plans to launch in…
Bloomin’ marvellous: Campus strikes gold with award
An edible campus, beehives and wooded areas helped clinch gold for the University of Bradford at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom. The gardening team secured the prestigious prize in Yorkshire in Bloom 2025’s Universities, Colleges and Further Education (FE) Establishments category, moving up from the Silver Gilt prize in 2024. They were also named joint…
Major improvements set for York’s Park and Ride
Overnight parking and a host of other improvements to York’s Park and Ride services will be considered at a meeting next week (7 October). The meeting follows a citywide consultation earlier this year around how government funding through the Bus Service Improvement Plan could be best spent on the Park and Ride. Proposed improvements include:…
New 1.5-acre park opens next to 78 new Passivhaus homes
A new green space for all to enjoy has been opened as part of work to build 78 ultra low-energy homes at Burnholme Green. A 1.5-acre park has been opened with play and exercise areas, meadows and coppices of trees, connected to the local communities by a network of paths dotted with benches. Across the…
Module shortlisted for AMBA CSR and Sustainability Award
A University of Bradford module on sustainability has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award. The Circular Design for the Real World module is a finalist in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Initiative category at the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards 2026. Dr Farzaneh Fakhredin, Lecturer…
Castle Howard’s Conservation Volunteer program wins Environmental Initiative of the Year at the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards
Castle Howard’s new Conservation Volunteer programme was awarded Environmental Initiative of the Year at the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards on Thursday 18th September. The Conservation Volunteer group formed in December 2024, with the programme quickly becoming an important element of the Estate’s natural environmental strategy. In just six months, the volunteer group has delivered measurable…
City of York Council puts pride back into local communities
City of York Council is proud to introduce York’s new Neighbourhood Caretakers – a team that looks at improving public spaces, supporting community-led action, and putting pride in our city. The dedicated team will work closely with residents, councillors, and volunteers to deliver visible improvements in local areas — from removing weeds and street cleaning…
City of York Council reviews options to ease congestion at Hazel Court Recycling Centre
City of York Council is committed to minimising waste and maximising material recycled at the council’s Household Waste Recycling Centre sites (HWRC). A range of options is under review to address growing traffic congestion around the Hazel Court HWRC, following concerns raised by residents, businesses, and service operators. The Hazel Court HWRC, located near James Street,…
Progress on City of York Council’s major investment in parks and green spaces
A report detailing where City of York Council is set to allocate three quarters of a million pounds of investment to revitalise parks, play areas, and public green spaces across the city will be taken to a public meeting for approval next month. The investment was first announced in February as part of setting the…
Harewood volunteers have made 5,000 upcycled decorations for Christmas event
With just over 100 days until Christmas to go, renowned maximalist interior designer Siobhan Murphy has already dived head first into the festivities, working with dozens of volunteers at Harewood to create over 5,000 handmade decorations using secondhand items. There’s a real focus on upcycling for this year’s event, A Glittering Invitation: Harewood’s Grand Christmas…
Catch the Bus Month arrives in York with free bus travel on offer
Catch the Bus Month starts this week and City of York Council and BetterPoints are offering free bus tickets plus quadruple reward points for people using the app during September. Over the next few weeks, City of York Council will be celebrating the bus network in York, which includes six operators delivering more than 40…
Sign up to the garden waste scheme, or let us know if you don’t want your bin
You can still sign-up to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, if your household is eligible. The easiest way to sign up for the scheme is to complete an online form at www.york.gov.uk/GardenWaste Support is available for anyone who is not able to apply this way by calling 01904 551 551. You can subscribe until 31…
Industry leaders The Environmental Protection Group are recognised in water and geoenvironmental sectors
Leading SME, The Environmental Protection Group, has been awarded SME Consulting Firm of the Year at last week’s NCE Awards 2025. Celebrated for their innovation, diversity of services, and involvement in industry guidance within the water and environmental sector, EPG were crowned winners in a glittering London ceremony. With a team of multidisciplinary expertise, EPG…
Warning to small businesses over new food waste regulations
Firms face fines for not separating food waste, lawyer warns Employers could face fines if they fail to separate their food waste from other recyclables and rubbish, an environmental lawyer has warned. New legislation that requires businesses with as few as ten employees to follow strict waste rules has flown under the radar, according to…
New product launch at IFT Chicago – TasteMod2 is unveiled
CO2Sustain a leader in flavour innovation, is proud to announce the launch of TasteMod2, a groundbreaking Flavour with Modifying Properties (FMP), specifically developed to help beverage manufacturers meet the growing demand for healthier, zero and lower-sugar drinks—without compromising on taste. CO2Sustain have a healthy obsession with how things taste. We understand that taste is the…
Leeds Beckett University’s the Retail Institute leads groundbreaking project on sustainable packaging
The Retail Institute at Leeds Beckett University, one of the UK’s leading academic research centres focused on the future of consumer experiences in retail, food and packaging has released a major new report on the future of sustainability in the packaging sector. Bringing together senior leaders from across the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) supply…
Bradford College connects to Energy Network in Net Zero Push
Work to connect Bradford College to the £70m Bradford Energy Network is officially underway, marking a significant move away from fossil fuels and towards achieving Net Zero. Heat networks (also known as district heating) supply heat from a central source. Underground pipes carry hot water to buildings on a network, enabling the rapid decarbonisation of…
£5m scheme improves the energy efficiency of West Yorkshire homes
A £5.8million project to reduce the energy usage and carbon emissions of over 440 homes in Leeds and Harrogate has led to warmer living and lower bills for residents across the region, thanks to energy and regeneration specialist Equans and Leeds Federated Housing Association. Retrofit work carried out to the homes – a mix of…
Is the air we share a toxic soup of invisible pollutants?
The Air We Share is a Pint of Science talk that offers a fascinating insight into the one thing we all cannot live without – air. Cell Biologist/ Pharmacologist Dr Jacobo Elies from the University of Bradford lifts the lid on the toxins we breathe on a daily basis. He says: “Pollutants are everywhere but most…
NNFCC Ltd has officially rebranded to Alder BioInsights
NNFCC Limited, an award-winning consultancy in the bioeconomy sector, has officially rebranded to Alder BioInsights. Based at York Science Park, the rebrand marks a new milestone in the company’s history which spans over 20 years. While NNFCC Ltd remains the registered company name, the refreshed brand identity reflects a stable and adaptive approach to leadership…
Chemical company actions environmental commitment with 220 hours of work
A chemical specialist has actioned part of its plan to be a net-zero company by 2045 with the completion of its first environmental project. Forty members of staff at Airedale Group have volunteered 220 hours of time to the Aire Rivers Trust, helping nurture the waterways in the Aire Valley and encourage natural life in…
Leeds flats enter a low carbon future
Residents in three blocks of flats in Leeds now have warmer, cheaper to heat homes as a result of a project to drive down costly energy use and reduce carbon emissions. Through the project, carried out by energy and regeneration specialist Equans and social housing provider 54North Homes, 98 homes have been improved, making them…
Oscrete’s new testing facility helps reduce carbon footprint
Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has doubled its customer trials following investment in its expanded and upgraded laboratory. Oscrete’s enhanced, secure laboratory with dedicated office, tests admixtures to evaluate and optimise their effects on concrete’s properties. The new, advanced 100m² lab is a full concrete testing facility, in use up to six days a week….