Welcome to the DMU Student Switch Off campaign.

What is Student Switch Off?

Student Switch Off (SSO) is a sustainability campaign and competition running at De Montfort University. The campaign supports and encourages students to take actions to increase their positive environmental impact, from saving energy, saving water and recycling, to reducing plastic-use and lobbying for bigger changes

If you live in Bede Halls, Filbert Village, The Grange, Newarke Point or New Wharf you are automatically taking part in the competition. At the end of the year, we will announce one of the halls as Student Switch Off Champions, calculated as the hall with the the least amount of energy used per person. All winning residents will be rewarded with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (non-dairy).

Visit our get involved page to find out how you can personally do more, volunteer and win individual prizes.

Why does Student Switch Off exist?

Student Switch Off provides a platform for students to take personal action on the Climate Crisis.

• Halls of residence are energy and water intensive buildings
• Inefficient electricity, heat and water use all contribute to the Climate Crisis, with the majority of Europe’s energy coming from fossil fuels
• When bills are included in rent, we may not be as enticed to save energy and water
• Reducing our energy consumption is a great way to reduce our negative environmental and social impact
• Reducing waste and recycling where possible also saves energy and cuts CO2 emissions
• They are great places to start conversations with peers
• Students living in halls are generally going through a significant change in their life and research has found that we are more willing to change behaviours in these times
• Whilst these actions aren’t going to solve the whole problem, it’s a great place for individuals to start as it’s simple and seemingly small actions really can add up

What impact does the campaign have?

The campaign is run across multiple universities in the UK and in the past 12 years we have…

By taking part in Student Switch Off, you are contributing to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals which are an urgent call for all countries to act on the climate crisis and to preserve oceans and forests. The goals recognise that this must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, and reduce inequality.