As we find ourselves nearly halfway through a semester, Green Week is on the horizon, and we have decided to relaunch the Bin It to Win It campaign! We did this as a union a few years ago and are at it again. Focusing this time on the importance of how to recycle things and where to do so. Some are obvious, cardboard, fashion and textiles and water bottles. However, some others not so much. The main campaign will be to show what can and can’t be recycled. We will also be showing greener alternatives.
Buckinghamshire council offer 40% off some compost bins just for living in Buckinghamshire If you’re looking to become greener fingered. Checking the packaging on food and toiletries will also help to point you in the right direction for disposing of waste. For example, lots of plastic bottles and cardboards have the ‘widely recyclable’ green symbol on the packaging to show they will be generally taken away at the curb side. However, other products such as batteries and water filters like BRITA can be taken to your local supermarket.
As a student myself I live as sustainably as I can on a budget. That being said, I’m not perfect, neither am I zero waste but I have made swaps suitable to me. For example, shampoo and conditioner bars and always carrying a shopping bag with me. It is all about what is best for you and also not feeling guilty because you need to buy the plastic bottle because it is cheaper for you. The onus should never be on you as the consumer, we just need to add pressure to those companies who mass produce plastic.
This week I went into the Body Shop in High Wycombe and have noticed they have added a small refill station for shampoo and conditioner which is great if (as a student) you are becoming more aware of your waste and the plastics associated with cleaning products. They also provide a bin in the back of the store for more difficult items to recycle such as pumps, plastic pouches and pipettes, small bottles that are less than 50ml, lip gloss tubes and mascaras.
Keep an eye out on social media for green week events such as volunteering for Bucks New Usage and to enter competitions for prizes. This year we are doing a grand prize of an ultimate student sustainable kit including a reusable water bottle, reusable make up remover pads and shaving bar! This is for anyone that gets involved in our Bin it to Win it campaign that will be on Instagram. Don’t worry for those that haven’t got Instagram we will also be giving away a £50 LUSH voucher to a student that gets involved in any of our activities during Green Week.