25.09.2006
Recycling is being given a higher profile at the university as thousands of students arrive in the city next week, many leaving home for the very first time. A new campaign initiated by the University of Brighton Students Union (UBSU) and supported by the University of Brighton and City Clean, aimed directly at students, was unveiled today just in time for the start of the new term.
A specially designed set of eye-catching posters and information leaflets will ensure that recycling is promoted around the university, while also creating its own set of campus celebrities! The 'recycling champions' featured in the posters are familiar faces and includes newly elected Students' Union officers, who were keen to help spread the word.
They include Becca Mann (pictured above on the right), President of the students' union who has been at the forefront of the campaign working closely with the council and Residential & Catering Services and Estates & Facilities Management at the university. Becca is pictured in her dressing gown scraping the last precious mouthful of jam from a jar, with the slogan 'Nothing to spread? Recycle instead'.
Becca said: "Brighton's students' union has been working to improve students' environmental awareness as well as helping to implement recycling facilities at the university. I think it's fabulous that UBSU, the University of Brighton and City Clean have collaborated and developed this recycling initiative."
"It is so important that the local community, which the student population is a major part of, look after the environment."
"It is predicted that local landfill sites will be full by 2008, therefore such an initiative enables students to be aware and actively contribute to Brighton and Hove's mission to reduce the waste that is sent to these sites."
The posters have been put up all over the university campuses, while leaflets will be included in the information packs for all students. Staff from Cityclean, the council's in-house refuse and recycling service will also be running a stall at the university Freshers Fair in Brighton on September 27.
New recycling facilities have been installed at the halls of residences at Phoenix, Varley, Moulsecoomb, Great Wilkins and Paddocks fields including new banks for bottles, cans and paper.
Environment councillor Gill Mitchell said: "Students make up around 11% of the population of Brighton & Hove, so it's vital we do everything we can to get them all recycling as much as possible."
"Working together with the students' union has ensured that we have created a campaign that is eye-catching, fun, and specially designed to get the message across to students in the most effective way."
"The new recycling facilities across the campuses will help students get into good recycling habits which will stay with them throughout their lives. Regular monitoring will also ensure that we are providing the right facilities and doing everything we can to get all the students recycling."
Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, Professor Julian Crampton said: "The university is committed to sustainable development and reducing its carbon footprint. We are pleased to be working with the Students Union and the city council to introduce the recycling campaign."
The advertising campaign is part of a big push by Brighton & Hove City Council to get people to recycle more of their rubbish. The city’s kerbside recycling service has now been rolled out and every home in the city that can have kerbside recycling does – a total of nearly 90,000 homes.
City residents have so far responded brilliantly to the need to recycle more. The kerbside scheme has helped Brighton & Hove’s recycling rate rise from 15.6% in April 2003 to over 25% in October 2005. However, there is still more to do to meet government targets and we have recently invested £2.7m into the kerbside recycling service. To hit the 30% target, the city’s recycling rate must rise by 5% over the next year. This new advertising campaign aims to raise people’s awareness so that they make recycling part of their daily lives.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
