Students at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen are being encouraged to ‘Go Green’ by getting involved in a number of carbon emission busting projects.
RGU Go Green, a sustainability initiative led by RGU’s Students’ Union (RGU:Union), has launched two projects focussing on waste management and energy use in the university’s Woolmanhill and Crathie halls of residence.
The ‘RGU Halls Energy and Waste Challenge’ encourages students to implement a number of measures to save energy and reduce the amount of food waste and recyclables sent to landfill from student accommodation.
The projects challenge students to compete against each other, with monthly prizes awarded to the flat that saved the most energy or the flat that showed the most effort to reduce waste and increase recycling.
Edward Pollock, RGU’s student president for Communication and Democracy, says: “The launch of RGU Go Green’s new waste and energy projects demonstrates the continued commitment of RGU:Union to raise awareness of sustainability.
“These projects give students the opportunity to appreciate the resources they use on a daily basis and take action to reduce waste and energy consumption.
“I’m really excited to see them launched, as well as to see the impact they will have on the student community at RGU, and hopefully lead to the creation of waste conscious citizens for the future.”
‘Smart meters’ have been installed throughout the Woolmanhill and Crathie student halls to monitor energy saving efforts based on exact data.
‘Waste winners’ will be chosen based on commitment shown, with the activities to display efforts changing from month to month such as a photo competition or sign ups to a recycling monitoring visit.
“The challenge aims to demonstrate how small measures such as remembering to switch off lights or washing clothes at a lower temperature can make a big difference to energy consumption,” adds Edward.
“Equally, reducing food waste by planning meals and freezing food are simple things which students can implement. There are also recycling points with recycling advice installed across the halls to make it easier for students.”
A full list of energy saving, waste management and recycling measures is available for RGU students via www.rgu.ac.uk/halls-energy-challenge. Students can also visit the RGU Go Green team for advice at its offices on University Street at the Garthdee campus or by contacting a member of the university’s ResLife team.
RGU Go Green was established with funding from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, which is managed and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, a charity which provides funding for community groups that are tackling climate change through local community-led projects.
Find out more about the RGU Halls Energy and Waste Challenge at www.facebook.com/RGUUnionHallsEnergyChallenge/?fref=ts