Sustainability Updates
Common Spaces & Garden 2019
We have upgraded many things at our Blythswood House site including the refurbishment of some of our common spaces in the hope of encouraging students to socialise and spend time away from their rooms. We believe strongly that spending time away from the flat and bedrooms improves the wellbeing of students. Our recent works includes a revamped games room, study space and a yoga/meditation room which is bookable via the main office. We have also taken some time to make improvements to our external garden area with new planters, plants, additional seating and outdoor lights. In recognition of this, our team received an award from The Incorporation of Gardeners and were highly commended for the external display onsite. We were delighted to have receive this award and continue to work hard to make an enjoyable space of staff and students. Works continued indoors with a joint project in summer 2019 with the Widening Participation (WP) team at GSA. WP work with secondary school pupils who live in a priority postcode, are care experienced or attend one of the GSA’s target state schools. The project seen our creative area in the residences undergo a total transformation, making the space more open and relaxed environment.
Recycling Campaign 2018
We have also introduced a new recycling campaign to the halls of residents at the start of session 2018/19. Until recently, we struggled with a lot of the local and national campaigns provided – largely because they were standardised – so we undertook our own research and conducted focus groups with students in the residences to find out what worked and what didn’t. This led to the production of a unique halls of residence campaign which aims to speak universally to students from across the globe through Mother Nature.
Homegrown Strawberries 2021
Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Barrels 2020
During the summer we had our green fingered volunteers/residents planting various herbs, fruits and vegetables in our brand new planter barrels. This is a well-being project funded by Sustainability at GSA based on growing for eating which will carry on into the new session, 2020/21.
For new students arriving for the new academic year, keep an eye out for further information as you could have the opportunity to look after your own barrel/fruit & vegetable patch.
This workshop demonstrated the basics of resist dyeing with natural indigo, which is the oldest known natural dye and the only source of blue textile dye found in nature. During this two hour workshop, participants learned some of the history and alchemy of this natural dye, and experiment with dyeing your own items in the natural indigo vat.
Using clamp and stitch resist techniques (similar to tie dye) will create simple patterns on the cloth, and breathe new life into your textile pieces with a focus on reuse.
India Wills is a GSA graduate and natural dyer based in Glasgow, working under the name Wild Hues. She uses traditional hand dyeing methods and resist techniques to create bold and colourful contemporary textile pieces using natural and ethically sourced materials.
Annual Pumpkin Reuse Competition
Cop26 was hosted in our very own city in 2021. Glasgow was busy with protests, activities, talks and exhibitions focussed on climate change and sustainability. Here at GSA Halls we have been looking at ways we can incorporate sustainability in our activites and competitions.
Each Halloween we run a pumpkin reuse competition to encourage the reduction in food waste. Below are some of the winners from the past few years.
Homemade pumpkin soup with a pumpkin seed roll 2021
Pumpkin sticky rice balls in warm coconut milk 2022
Homemade pumpkin cupcakes with pumpkin buttercream decoration 2023
Annual Rummage
Each year many of our residents donate forward items they cannot take away with them, such as pots, pans, clothes etc. GSA Halls and GSA Sustainability work together to clean, sort and set up a rummage 'shop' for incoming residents so they can reuse the items for FREE.
This reduces waste, consumption and is a benefit financially to our residents.
Bug Hotel 2023
New to our Blythswood House garden in summer 2023 is our hand built bug hotel made from recycled materials. Why is a bug hotel a good thing to introduce into your own garden?
- Better soil quality
- Increased pollination
- Elevated ecosystem diversity
- Reductions in the populations of detrimental insects
- Increased biodiversity to create a natural balance to control pests
- Assistance with nature and species conservation
Recycled Tin Cans & Herb Project 2020
Herbs were kindly donated by Tatton Horticulture
Packaging is made from recycled materials
Well-being/sustainability are two of our main objectives at GSA Halls and ResLife have been busy planning and hosting events with this in mind. We asked residents to donate their old food tin cans so we could reuse them for herb planters, reducing our waste (don't worry, we are reusing the packaging to plant flowers/plants!).
There are many well-being benefits of looking after plants and growing to eat. A huge benefit of growing herbs is nutrition and the effect this has on our minds, for more information on this please visit the Mental Health Foundation website.
Terrarium Workshop 2020
During October GSA Halls residents reconnected with nature by making mini-ecosystems in old jars and containers with a free terrarium making kit funded by GSA Sustainability. The online workshop was hosted by GSA Alumni Lin Chau and was a huge success.
Wild Hues Workshop 2021
