Green Week Begins

Go Green Week will see the university and the Students’ Union work together as part of a national event promoted by People and Planet.

Green week raises awareness amongst the University community of both staff and students, through practical projects that offer practical solutions for a low carbon future.

Members of the University can support Green Week by donating food such as; biscuits, baked beans, tea bags, etc. to the ‘Food Bank Appeal’ based in the Student Union. The University’s Telford Campus also have a new food waste recycle bin in the GO Deli area or there’s a chance to become a ‘Shoe-per star’ and help the British Heart Foundation by donating unwanted shoes.

On Monday and Tuesday, students are found in the SU and the Performance Hub making their own tote bags and those in halls of residence are taking part in the ‘clean can challenge’ to recycle as much as possible.

Green Week provides the University a number of opportunities to not only raise awareness on taking care of the environment, but also provides individuals with home energy saving tips and the chance to support charities such as the British Heart Foundation.

UWSU Welfare Vice President, Kathryn Thomson, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this campaign again, emphasizing the importance of ‘going green’ and most importantly, taking a step in the right direction to reduce the unions’ carbon footprint.

 “Our role throughout the week will be to inform and encourage students and staff about the benefits of reducing their carbon footprint to improve the University, local community and wider world.

 “We are extremely grateful to the University for supporting our campaign five years on the run; we always make a difference and have a lot of fun with it also. I can be sure to say that this year will be no different.”

The University of Wolverhampton has been ranked as one of the most environmentally-friendly universities in the country. It was given a First Class award – the highest possible grade – in an annual eco survey by People and Planet, a large student organisation dedicated to ending world poverty, defending human rights and protecting the environment.

The University of Wolverhampton’s present position is the result of a huge amount of work across the University, which has included achieving an 85% recycling rate across all campuses, running energy awareness campaigns, reducing CO2 emissions by 25%, installing water-saving devices in toilets, and putting in place charge points for electric vehicles.

The Students’ Union were also delighted to receive confirmation in January of that they had retained a Silver standard in the NUS’s Green Impact Award scheme.

Go Green Week takes place on Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April at Wolverhampton City and Walsall Campus.

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ENDS

For more information please contact Danielle Taylor in the Media Relations Office on
01902 322448

Date Issued: 31 March 2014