STAFF and students at the University of Worcester are celebrating after it was shortlisted for a national award for its work on sustainability in the local community.
The University is a finalist for a Green Gown Award in the Benefitting Society category, based on a recycling initiative working with local schools.
The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives by universities and colleges and best practice within the further and higher education sector. Winners will be announced at a ceremony later in the year.
After a successful campaign on campus to increase recycling rates using specially designed posters and videos, students worked with the University’s sustainability experts to translate this idea into something similar in schools.
University students delivered a session on recycling to members of the Eco Club at Oldbury Park Primary RSA Academy, improving pupils’ knowledge of what could be recycled, then got them to draw typical items for rubbish or recycling. Creative Media students then used their artwork to create posters for pupils to put on display at home.
Students also delivered a session on recycling to the whole school. Alongside this, pupils from Hollymount School designed their own posters for display at home.
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green CBE DL, said: “We aim to inspire students, staff and the wider community to take action themselves. It is very good news that our work with schools to bring good practice on sustainability into the classroom and beyond has been recognised.
“Such efforts have the potential to produce real change.”
