Students living in Florence Boot hall of residence have won the 2018-19 Student Switch Off energy-saving and recycling competition! Florence Boot reduced their energy use by 11.4% and increased the proportion of waste being recycled by 11% making them the overall most sustainable hall this year! Florence Boot residents will celebrate their achievements with a Ben & Jerry’s giveaway event.
Student Switch Off is an energy saving and recycling campaign run by the National Union of Students (NUS). Over 40 universities take part in the competition in institutions across the UK and Europe. The competition challenges students living in halls of residences to take positive action on climate change, starting with actions in their accommodation, and encourages friendly competition between the halls to see who can save the most energy and recycle the best over the year.
Collectively the small energy-saving and recycling actions that students encouraged by Student Switch Off really do add up. Together, University of Nottingham residents have reduced carbon emissions by 31 tonnes which is equivalent to 279 return flights from Glasgow to Amsterdam! Residents across the halls have also decreased waste generated by nearly 10%, whilst increasing recycling rates by 2%.
These amazing results are thanks to the continued collective effort of students living within the halls of residence, and in particular to the Student Switch Off Ambassadors – volunteers who have spent the year encouraging & empowering their flat-mates to switch off and recycle more. As well as contributing to improved sustainability in the halls, students have picked up new skills that will help them save money on their bills in the future when they live in privately rented accommodation.
To find out how all the halls at the University of Nottingham did in the competition this year you can see the full leaderboard on the Student Switch Off webpages, and if you are living in halls next year do your part to help your hall be the 2019-20 champions!
Posted on Monday 13th May 2019