Student volunteers from our University and local residents have been working with city council officers on a new project to boost household recycling rates in streets close to our University.
They will be delivering blue recycling storage bags that will help students and other residents who are new to the city to understand what can be recycled on the doorstep.
Students’ Union President, Emily Dawes, said:
“Here at the Students’ Union, recycling is important to us in our long term goals of sustainability. We think these bags will make it easier, and therefore more appealing, for students to recycle correctly and more.”
Student volunteers Corin, Kai and Joy delivering recycling bags in Portswood.
Cabinet Member for Transport and Public Realm at Southampton City Council, Councillor Jacqui Rayment said:
“Bags such as these have been used for some time in blocks of flats across the city for collecting items for domestic recycling. Now for the first time we’re working with the University to distribute them for student households. The University has provided the bags and whether you are a student or not, we hope all households that receive one will find it a useful addition for storing recycled materials in the kitchen before putting them in the correct bin.”
Sabbatical officers Emily Dawes (SUSU President) and Isabella Camileri (VP Welfare)
Project leader, Sarah Watts from Engagement and Advancement, said:
“This is a great example of partnership working between the University, the Students’ Union and Southampton City Council. We’re delighted the bags are proving so popular and are currently planning a recycling bag “give away” event on the redbrick area in front of the Union to make sure that all students in private rented accommodation get the chance to pick up their free bag.”
The first deliveries are targeting specific streets with a high number of houses rented by students and, if successful, the project will expand to cover other residential areas around our University in Portswood, Swaythling and Highfield.
If you want to find out more about recycling in Southampton, and tips on what goes in which bin, you can do so here.
