Posted: 17/02/14
It's easy being green at college
Recycling and caring for the environment were hot topics at West Nottinghamshire College last week as students took part in activities to promote national Go Green Week (10-16 February).
Students' Union president Marie Oakton and student involvement officer Karen Dunnill are seeking kind donations for the allotment
Go Green Week is week of action on climate change in schools, colleges and universities run by People & Planet. People & Planet is the largest student network in Britain campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment.
Students put forward their pledges to the Students’ Union (SU) to say how they could improve the environment. Examples of pledges received were: “I pledge to go running outside instead of using the running machine to save electricity.” NW, and “To use the local high street for all my shopping rather than use the supermarkets.” NH.
In conjunction with the college’s Volunteering Society learners braved the outdoors to plant garlic in the Derby Road site’s wildflower garden and are asking members of the public to donate any plants, bulbs, seeds or compost to help with their horticultural project.
The digging work will continue during Volunteering Week (w/c 24 February) when students plant potatoes at the college’s new football pitch-sized allotment on Westfield Lane in Mansfield. This is set to be an on-going project involving students from all areas of the college.
Other projects that students were involved in during Go Green Week included the SU book exchange where people traded their old books for another good read.
Students also took advantage of discounted hot drinks in the college’s diner if they took their own mugs instead of using disposable cups, in a bid to reduce waste.
Student participation officer Karen Dunnill said: “We’ve had a great response from students who have enjoyed getting involved in a whole range of activities focussing on the environment and recycling.
“I’m particularly excited about the launch of our allotment which will be a long-standing project that many students can get involved in and we have some great ideas about using the home-grown vegetables in cookery.”
People who wish to donate items for the garden and the allotment scheme should contact Karen Dunnill on 01623 627191 ext 8396.
