The University of Worcester has shown once again that it is leading the way in the drive towards sustainability with its shortlisting in three national environmental awards.
Initiatives by the University designed to increase and raise awareness of sustainability among students and staff, and also with the wider public, have been recognised by the Green Gown Awards.
These awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives by universities and colleges and best practice within the further and higher education sector.
Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability at the University of Worcester said: "It's so pleasing to see the efforts of students, colleagues and the local organisations we partner with recognised by these prestigious awards. Everyone involved is passionate and working hard to try to make Worcester a more sustainable place to study and work in. We are very proud of this achievement."
The University of Worcester was recently ranked in the top five most sustainable universities in the country by campaigning organisation People and Planet's University League.
The University is shortlisted for sustainability reporting, for its Annual Report, as well as the student engagement and enterprise categories, which relate to two projects run by the University this year.
Shortlisted for student engagement, the "White Bag" project is designed to challenge students" and landlords" perceptions and behaviour on recycling. Working with the City Council, student landlords were given free recycling bags to store recycling in, along with information and support, to place in their accommodation to encourage students to collect their recycling rather than dispose of it in their normal waste bin.
Student volunteers received industry-accredited training to visit homes to talk with students and to mentor their peers, allowing them to develop valuable skills and understand the issues facing a local authority.
The project shortlisted for enterprise was Go Green Week, a series of events held in Worcester city centre over a week in April organised by the University working in partnership with local authorities, businesses and charities.
This included the Feed the 1000 event, which saw organisers successfully attempt to feed 1,000 people with the equivalent amount of food that an average family wastes in a year.
It aimed to highlight to residents and visitors environmental issues relating to transport, food, recycling, littering and energy saving, and galvanise them into action.
The University has had considerable success in previous Green Gown Awards, including winning an award for its sustainability efforts in estates and facilities in 2014 for an affordable bike loan scheme.
Winners of the Green Gown Awards will be announced in November.