After a Christmas break, we’re looking forward to a busy year ahead at Sustainability Action. Read on to find out more about just some of the activities coming up in the next term…
The annual sustainability awareness survey will be launched in January. Take 10 minutes to complete the survey for your chance to win prizes (as well as helping us to understand your views on sustainability at Southampton)! See the results of last year’s survey here.
2014 Award Winners
In February you’ll have the chance to apply for the annual Sustainability Action Awards. With five categories – student individual, staff individual, student team, staff team, student-staff partnership team – this is your opportunity to gain recognition for how you make a difference to society and the environment. Alternatively, you can nominate friends or colleagues that you think deserve to have their teaching, research or volunteering rewarded. Look out for applications opening at the beginning of February. Read more about last year’s winners and runners up.
Students have another an opportunity to get involved in Southampton BEES (Business Ethics and Environment Students). The BEES programme gives students the skills and confidence to audit local organisations, helping them to transform their ethical and environmental practice. Look out for information on how to sign up to the next training sessions.
Waste Wars volunteers
Waste Wars is coming back for its ninth year on the 25th February. Organised with the Students’ Union Ethical and Environmental Committee, you can join scores of students gaining auditing experience, freebies and making a difference on campus. The results of previous waste wars have provided the evidence-base needed to change the university recycling system, increasing rates from 38% to over 70% in just four months; exceeding the desired target of 60%. Read all about last year’s successful event.
On the subject of waste, we have the home for those clothes languishing in your wardrobe post-Christmas. Southampton Swap Shop is back in March, giving you the opportunity to clear out your unwanted items, and swap them for others. All leftover items are donated to British Heart Foundation to sell in their stores. Don’t miss the blog from one of last year’s swap shops here.
These are just a few of the things going on in upcoming months. Look out for future news on how you can get involved and make your university and lifestyle more sustainable (whilst enjoying freebies at the same time!).