► Green Tees
Green-Tees is Teesside University Students’ Union’s environmental campaign. Several years ago we knew that students were unhappy at the lack of recycling facilities in and around the University and Students’ Union, and that they believed that we could be doing more for our local environment. The Students’ Union has been working hard to become greener and to reduce our carbon footprint. Last year we installed lights in our main offices that that switch off when there is no movement. We have bin-less offices with recycling bins for paper, cans and bottles, batteries and mobile phones, and these are proving to be a big hit amongst students and staff.
Green Impact 2011
Green Impact 2012
Fairtrade
Link to Environmental Policy
L-R Jon Berg (Chief Executive), Jenny Gill (Campaigns and Welfare Officer and lead on Green* Impact) and Lori Wheatman (President) receiving the Silver Award at NUSSL 2011
But the main question is could the University and the Students’ Union be doing even more for the environment?
The answer is yes. Over the next year I will lobby the University to provide recycling facilities in or around all the Halls of Residence. I aim to reduce the Students’ Union carbon footprint, through the promotion of the Green-Tees campaign and by making students and staff aware of how much energy we use. I want to inform students of the benefits of “growing your own” fruit, vegetables and herbs, and to try to secure a students’ garden, where students, staff and the local community can learn to do this. I am currently looking for volunteers who would like to be involved in the Green-Tees campaign, please contact campaigns@tees-su.org.uk for more information.
Green Impact Students’ Unions is an environmental accreditation programme with an awards element designed specifically for students’ unions. For decades students’ unions have been at the forefront of social and environmental campaigning. This is why here ate Teesside University Students’ Union we take greening our Union seriously. Last year we were awarded the Silver Green Impact (narrowly Missing Gold) for the major improvements we have made to the SU.
We have reduced our carbon footprint, we have reduced how much water we use, we have had lights installed when a room is not occupied, and we now only use organic Fairtrade Eggs plus much more!
We have been working hard over the last year to ensure that Teesside University Students’ Union carries on the good environmental work we have started. We have recently submitted our criteria for the Green Impact Awards and it’s looking good as we have an auditor coming to out SU to look further at what we have been doing over the last year! We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be awarded Gold!
Over the last year we have made several changes to the SU including, re-vamping both the male and female toilets on the first floor of the SU, we have turned off the energy consuming patio heaters on the Terrace and have replaced them with blankets, ponchos and umbrellas, we are successfully working with the University on the garden so that it include pollinator flowers for birds and insects, we have purchased bird boxes and bird tables and are awaiting their arrival – but we will not stop there! So watch this space for updates!
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price). Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. (Fairtradefoundation.org). Teesside University and Teesside University Students’ Union have Fairtrade Status. We sell Fairtrade items so that a farmer/worker can have a good standard of living. It’s Green and encourages us to look after our environment. Through farmers growing fruit and vegetables etc, we are looking after our planet through green sustainability. Last Year (2011) we ran a very successful Fairtrade Fortnight in conjunction with Teesside University and Middlesbrough Fairtrade Steering Group. Our Safety Reps held information stalls, engaged with students about Fairtrade, offers tasters and gave away three Fairtrade hamper full of goodies. This year Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 will be just as fun. Planning is underway so keep checking for details!
Here is the link to the current Teesside University Students' Union Environmental Policy.
