Green Action Week 2025 at the MRC WIMM

Green Action Week aims to foster environmental improvements in all parts of the University through networking and exchanging ideas. The week will engage students and staff with sustainability-focused research and activities, raise awareness of environmental issues, encourage participation in Green Impact and LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) and celebrate sustainability achievements across the University. 

This year, the University’s Sustainability Team are placing a special emphasis on the ‘actions’ that can drive better practices and behaviour change to help lead to tangible results. Here at the MRC WIMM, we’re focusing on personal actions.

Green Action Week Events at the MRC WIMM:

More details for each event can be found below.

WIMM Swap Shop

Julia Bodmer Room, 10^th – 14^th February

This is your perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, reduce waste, and support a more sustainable future—all while connecting with your colleagues and having some fun.

How It Works:

1. Bring What You Can: Bring gently used clothes or accessories (e.g., shirts, dresses, jackets, scarves, hats, or bags). Items must be clean and in good condition.
2. Take What You Need: Browse through the collection and take whatever catches your eye—no credits or swaps needed.
3. Pay It Forward: Any leftover items will be donated to charity.

Drop Off Details:

On Friday 7th February, you can drop off items from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. From the 10th – 14th February, the room will be accessible from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and you’re welcome to bring items anytime during those hours.

All Clothes Are Welcome: We encourage contributions of all types of clothing—men’s, women’s, and kids’ items are all appreciated.

Kids’ Toys Are Welcome Too! Feel free to bring gently used toys to share!

Book Exchange

Coffee Lounge, 10^th – 14^th February

In January, the WIMM Book Exchange scheme was launched. This initiative aims to foster a love for reading, promote sustainability, and encourage sharing knowledge within our community.

The Book Exchange Station is usually located in the WIMM Seminar Room, but during Green Action Week, it will be moved to the Coffee Lounge.

Please ensure that the books you bring are in good condition—no torn pages, significant damage, or excessive markings. All genres and types of books are welcome, including fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, children’s books, self-development books, and academic resources. However, please avoid bringing books that are outdated or no longer relevant.

Any excess books will be donated to the charity book stall in the John Radcliffe Hospital at the end of the week.

LAb COnsumables Sharing

Corridor outside Room 302, 10^th – 14^th February

Does your lab have a cupboard full of tubes and kits that you ordered for a specific set of experiments, but no longer need? Perhaps you need a few plates for an experiment but don't want to order a whole pack. 

Well, one lab's excess could be another lab's treasure!

Come along to the Lab Consumables Sharing Space outside room 302 to donate your unwanted consumables and see if you can pick up something useful for you and your lab.

LEAF Lab Tours

Various labs, Tuesday 11^th February

LEAF accreditation will soon be compulsory for researchers applying to major funders, such as Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust.

To help those new to LEAF, labs that received LEAF accreditation in 2024 will be offering tours on Tuesday afternoon. Please register your interest in a tour using the LEAF Lab Tour Booking Form.

If you can’t make one of the available tour slots but would like help/advice on achieving LEAF accreditation, please reach out to green-wimm@imm.ox.ac.uk or visit the WIMM Sustainability Intranet pages.

Green Forum

Seminar Room, Wednesday 12^th February, 1-2 pm 

At this informal event, different members of the MRC WIMM will share some of the actions they’ve taken in their home and work lives to be more sustainable, from installing a heat pump to choosing the train when travelling.

Speakers & Topics:

• Chris Babbs – solar panels 
• Jan Rehwinkel – taking trains to/from scientific meetings 
• Kathryn Robson – loft/wall insulation 
• Edward Sanders – flexible and time-of-use electricity tariffs
• Paul Sopp – heat pumps 

Refreshments will be provided.

Valentine's Plant Sale (cash only)

Coffee Lounge, Thursday 13^th – Friday 14^th February

The end of Green Action Week this year coincides with Valentine's Day when lots of people will be buying gifts for their loved ones. Many will be considering gifting cut flowers such as roses, which come with a significant environmental cost (see this article by the Royal Horticultural Society).

To provide a more sustainable alternative to roses, a selection of small house and garden plants will be available in the Coffee Lounge on Thursday and Friday. Please note that this will be cash only.

Charity Bake Sale

Coffee Lounge, Friday 14^th February

For the final day of Green Action Week, there’ll be a charity bake sale in the coffee lounge, with all donations going to Oxford City Farm.

Oxford City Farm is a community-led city farm providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with farming and food production, animals, nature and each other.

Litter Picking with a Twist!

Bury Knowle Park, Friday 14^th February, 2 – 3pm

(Meet outside MRC WIMM Reception at 2pm)

Ever thought to yourself, “Oh boy, I sure do miss the WIMM Wombles litter picking walks, but I wish I could compete in biodiversity-themed games to win underwhelming prizes at the same time”? Well then this is the event for you!

Meet outside reception at 2 pm, Friday 14th Feb, where you will be equipped with grabby-grabbers, a bin bag, and teammates. Teams will head to Bury Knowle Park to compete in some thrilling, biodiversity-themed challenges.

Any questions or accessibility requests, please email susannah.holliman@rdm.ox.ac.uk