Advisory Group on the Environment 3rd June:

During handover Julien, my predecessor, thought it a good idea to take me along to the last Advisory Group meeting so I didn’t get such a shock when I was solo.
This meeting is a branch of the Environment, Health and Safety Executive Committee. On this Committee there are related academics, related groups such as a member of HAS and the Estates Office and me and Hannah, VPDR, as the Guild representatives.


Outcomes of this meeting to publicise:

· The university have a new waste and recycling contract with Confi-Shred.
o More types of paper will be able to be recycled.
o Bin less offices are going to be tried by different departments.
The idea is that without a bin under your desk, you are more likely to
recycle. I have personally previously worked in a bin less office.
What I noted is that there were many complains for the first few weeks,
but as people got use to the situation, there were no issues.
o Within the near future external on site recycled bins will be provided
for all to use on the side of the path. The timescale for this is still
to be confirmed

· Julien and Simon Fairbanks (last VPDR) gave a presentation on the ‘Sound Impact Awards’ and our success of a Bronze Award and spoke about next year the guild being involved with a pilot project by NUSSL to reduce energy waste from drinks machines and games machines.

· The University has been ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Continuous Improvement’ Category of the Green Gown Awards.
Find out more about the Green gown awards here:

http://www.eauc.org.uk/green_gown_categories_announced

There was talk of ‘Vale Fest’ being able to enter in the Students Innovation award, and I really hope this takes off, best of luck with your submission.

· The University has not signed up to the People and Planets Green Education Declaration it is going to be looked into whether an amended version will be signed by the Uni.The Environment Agency’s Report showed general satisfaction with waste management and pollution measures at the university although it has been flagged up about people smoking near hazardous substance storage areas. This is going to be reviewed in the coming months.