University students give generously to homeless charity in end-of-term recycling drive 05/07/11

Students at the University of Chichester have for the second year running focused on making their campus a greener one as they leave their halls of residence at the end of term.

In a repeat of last year’s efforts, students have been determined to cut down on the waste produced at the end of the academic year, when typically a lot is sent to landfill.

Thanks to the continuing efforts of the University’s Green Campus Group, led by environmental officer Margaret Field, and the Students’ Union, students had made available for them a number of recycling and charity donation facilities at both its Bishop Otter and Bognor Regis Campuses.

2010 was the first time a targeted effort had been made to reduce waste at the end of term, and the enthusiasm continued this year, students were persistent in their endeavours to recycle old items and unwanted food which they would no longer need.

As a result, large amounts of tinned food were donated to the charity Stone Pillow and their St Joseph’s Night Refuge project. Stone Pillow, which is organising a Big Sponsored Sleep Out fundraising event at Chichester Cathedral on 29 October, will use the food, which would have otherwise been thrown away by the students as they move back home for the summer, towards the charity’s aim of offering shelter, information and support to empower homeless and vulnerable people to make positive changes in their lives.

Celica Douglas, University of Chichester Students’ Union Vice President, said: “Amazing progress has been made from two years ago, when the University offered little in terms of recycling and the majority of waste was simply binned. We are now making small but sure steps towards a greener campus.”

The University will now turn its attention to the start of the next academic year when advice will be given to new students concerning recycling as they move into their halls of residence. The University hopes to make even more progress in terms of recycling and a stand will be included at the Freshers’ Fair to provide more information to new students.