New recycling records have been set by students at the University of Chichester moving out of their halls of residence at the end of term.
Members of the Students’ Union teamed up with members of staff from the University to drive down the amount of waste sent to landfill at the end of the academic year, traditionally the time when the most rubbish is generated.
During the same period of time last year, 52,000 litres of rubbish was sent to landfill, as students cleared out their rooms at the end of term and prepared to move home for the summer or into rented accommodation in the local area.
This year, with more recycling and charity donation facilities made available and an awareness campaign about the importance of recycling across the Chichester and Bognor Regis campuses, only 32,472 litres of rubbish went to landfill, a 38% reduction.
Margaret Field, environmental officer for the University, said: “This was the first year we had made a targeted effort at the end of term, and the figures show the hard work from everyone has paid off.
“One of our aims is to be a sustainable University in the way we run the institution, but as an educational establishment, we also have a responsibility to make sure that when our students leave with their degrees, they also have a greater environmental awareness and knowledge which they can transfer into the workplace during their careers.”
Brendan McCarthy, University of Chichester Students’ Union President, said: “Our students are very environmentally conscious and aware of their responsibilities. This year saw more recycling facilities and charity bins to donate unwanted clothes and goods, things that would have previously gone straight to landfill. It goes to show that if the right facilities are provided, the students will make full use of them and help protect the planet at the same time.
“Our plan now is to educate our new students who arrive in September about the University’s desire to create a greener campus, meaning even less will be sent to landfill next summer.”
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