This January, we hosted Student Group Sustainability Month to empower students to become more sustainable and have a more positive impact on the environment. It's been a busy one!
Hannah Hockin
VP Societies and Sport
This January, we hosted Student Group Sustainability Month to empower students to become more sustainable and have a more positive impact on the environment.
We have seen all kinds of things such as a Student Group Sustainability Development Session led by our Sports Club Coordinator, and Give It A Go activities: Grow a Mini Veg Garden and Decorate a Bug Hotel Crafternoon.
Throughout the month, Enactus ran a whole host of events, including an up-cycling day for students to learn ways to upcycle their clothes using scissors, a sewing kit, buttons, and other decorations. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the damage fast fashion does to the environment and encourage action. The session also involved a talk from Mya Gooding-Springer, CEO of Swapped. Mya spoke about the fast fashion industry and what it takes to work in circular fashion being a young, female, and black entrepreneur.
Throughout Term Two, we are encouraging student groups to make a pledge on how they tend to act more sustainably and share their pledge on social media.
Pledges from Student Groups
Cheerleading and Dance has pledged that they will use reusable water bottles, encourage members to walk to training, hand wash uniforms, and work closely with sponsors that have the same sustainable values.
Tennis is donating old tennis balls to members.
Women’s Rugby is introducing a borrowing scheme, encouraging the club to try vegan meals, car sharing, and air-drying kit.
The Sustainability Fund
The Sustainability Fund has been launched this month, which aims to support student groups' sustainability initiatives. These initiatives include specific projects, purchasing more sustainable projects, and campaigns to spread awareness of the climate emergency. The Sustainability Award has also been added as a new category at Society Awards and Colours Ball. The award recognises student groups that have shown they are becoming more environmentally sustainable and are leaving a positive impact on the environment.
Adopt a group
Looking for a new challenge? There's still time to adopt an eco-friendly student group:
If you want to adopt one of our dormant groups all you need to do is make sure you have at least a President, Secretary, and Treasurer ready to take on the running of the group then simply email me to express your interest.
Finally, don't forget to check out the Student Group Sustainability Guide!