National Green Week (17th–21st March) celebrates the incredible work colleges are doing to tackle sustainability and climate change. Launched by the Association of Colleges, this week unites the sector with industry partners and government agencies to showcase how colleges are driving sustainability forward.
To kick off the week, we’re excited to introduce several new sustainability initiatives aimed at making our college greener and more environmentally responsible. From Meat-Free Mondays to an innovative recycling campaign and a brand-new staff marketplace, we’re taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. Here’s what’s on the way:
Turning the Monday blues GREEN
Mondays are about to get a lot greener! As part of our commitment to sustainability, canteens across all campuses will serve only meat-free meals on selected Mondays, starting with 17th March. This initiative aims to reduce our carbon footprint and encourage healthier, planet-friendly eating habits among students and staff.
Did you know it can take 2,350 litres of water – that’s about 30 bathtubs – to produce just one beef burger? By going meat-free once a week, we’re collectively contributing to a more sustainable future. So, why not start your week off with a delicious plant-based meal?
Trash Talking – coming soon!
Recycling just got competitive. Our new Trash Talking: Battle of the Bins initiative transforms recycling into an interactive and engaging experience. Across campus, recycling bins will soon serve as voting stations for different topics—simply place your recyclable item into the bin corresponding to the option you support.
This cross-campus campaign will feature termly themes, and voting percentages will be displayed on screens to track progress. Our goal is to boost recycling rates and educate staff and students on what goes where. Keep an eye out for the first theme coming soon at all sites.
Re:Store – The sustainable marketplace on our college intranet
We are soon launching Re:Store, an exciting new marketplace for buying, selling, and exchanging unwanted items, staff can access through our college intranet.
This initiative encourages staff to reduce waste by rehoming items they no longer need. We’re also adding a charity donation option—so if you claim a free item, sell something, or just feel generous, you can donate to a great cause. The staff chosen charity for this initiative was Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Get involved
Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and we invite everyone to take part in these new initiatives. Whether it’s enjoying a meat-free meal, voting with your recyclables, or decluttering sustainably through Re:Store, every small action adds up to a big impact.
