Life at Dunmore Lang
A community making a difference
Discover how sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing and thoughtful service shape everyday residential life, helping students feel supported, connected and empowered to contribute to a welcoming College community.
Small actions, shared impact
Discover how everyday choices at Dunmore Lang College support a healthier environment and a more connected community.
Sustainable dining
Simple recycling
Volunteering
Upcycled Materials
Smarter Waste Management
Through our partnership with Doyle Bros, all rubbish from across the College is carefully sorted, with recyclables separated from general waste and non-recyclable waste converted into Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF), rather than being sent to landfill. By using a co-mingled waste service, we can also avoid the risk of contaminated recycling bins being sent entirely to landfill when even a single non-recyclable item is placed in them. It is another way DLC is thinking beyond the everyday, making thoughtful choices that protect our environment and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Upcycled Mugs
Even the smallest choices at Dunmore Lang College can make a meaningful difference. Our Dining Hall mug collection has been thoughtfully created through upcycling, with every mug sourced from local charity shops. By giving pre-loved items a new life, we are reducing waste and embracing a more sustainable approach to everyday living, while also helping to put money back into our local charity community. It is a simple example of how sustainability and community can go hand in hand – creating positive impact both within DLC and beyond our College walls.
Locally sourced and thoughtfully used
At Dunmore Lang College, our commitment to sustainability extends to the food we serve and the way it is prepared. We work with ethically sourced suppliers and make thoughtful choices about where our food comes from and how it is produced. Meals are prepared onsite to reduce packaging, while leftover meals are repurposed at our salad bar to create additional options for students. Our catering team also monitors the hot food service and salad bar to help minimise waste. For late-night dining, we use wooden cutlery as a lower-impact alternative to traditional plastic, helping reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.
Supporting Local Biodiversity
Dunmore Lang College provides a home for native stingless bees across our grounds, helping support local pollination and encourage biodiversity. These small but important residents play a valuable role in maintaining healthy gardens and supporting the local ecosystem.
The Little Things Add Up
It’s often the little things that make a difference. Here are some of the ways we put sustainability into practice every day.
Energy efficient lighting
Our lighting throughout college uses LED bulbs that “power down” overnight to save energy.
This helps reduce unnecessary energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, while also lowering electricity costs and extending the lifespan of our lighting.
Eco friendly cleaning
The cleaning chemicals used throughout college are certified as biodegradable and eco-friendly, helping to reduce our environmental impact. They are designed to break down more safely after use, reducing the risk of harmful chemicals entering waterways and ecosystems. Using environmentally responsible cleaning products also supports a healthier indoor environment for students, staff and visitors.
ELECTRONICS DISPOSAL
Collection boxes for batteries and other electronics are located outside of the main office reception.
Each year, we collect and consolidate our unwanted or disposable items and donations before taking them to a local recycling point. This helps reduce waste sent to landfill, supports the reuse and recycling of valuable materials, and contributes to a more sustainable community.
PILLOW REJUVENATION
We work with Dream Clean Pillows to rejuvenate approximately 550–600 pillows, cleaning and restoring the existing polyester filling rather than replacing them. This program keeps hundreds of kilograms of materials in use each year, extending the life of our bedding and reducing unnecessary waste. Where pillows can no longer be used, suitable items are repurposed and donated to homeless shelters and community organisations across Sydney.
Recognition that matters
Awards we have won for making a difference
Our commitment to a kinder, more sustainable college community has been recognised through two meaningful awards. These achievements celebrate practical action, student leadership and a shared belief that everyday choices can create lasting positive change.
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY RECONCILIATION AWARD
The College congratulated Dr Alasdair Murrie-West on receiving the inaugural Macquarie University Reconciliation Award, recognising his work in developing a culturally safe and supportive community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Dunmore Lang. Growing from five students in 2013, the programme now supports 46 students from across Australia.
APSAA EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT EXPERIENCE AWARD
The College was the recipient of the 2019 APSAA Excellence in Student Experience Award (Institutions Under 500 Beds) for its Inclusive Indigenous Cultural Programme — a programme built on the simple idea that culture should be visibly valued and respected, not merely accepted.
DLC Leaders Lending a Helping Hand
As part of their two-week student leadership training before residents returned to College, Dunmore Lang College’s Resident Advisers (RAs) and Association of DLC Students (ADS) teams stepped outside the College grounds to give back to the local community through a morning of volunteering with Easy Care Gardening.
How can I help?
Four simple ways DLC students can help create a cleaner, kinder and more sustainable College community.
paper and cardboard waste
Please use the designated paper and cardboard recycling bin behind the kitchen to ensure these materials are properly recycled and kept out of general waste.
RETURNING CROCKERY
By returning College crockery and cutlery after each use, we can keep our existing items in circulation, reducing the need to purchase replacements and helping to minimise waste.
Save energy and water
Switch off lights, shorten showers and report leaks or faulty appliances so resources are not wasted.
Get involved
Put forward your ideas to our environmental committee for volunteering activities or community projects that strengthen connection and care across College.
