Binit were invited to the Sustainability Showcase for the University of Exeter’s Go Green Week alongside Nigel Morris, the University’s Strategic Waste and Resources Manager where we engaged with members of the Student Guild and societies passionate about sustainability and environmentalism. We have been the chosen contractor for the University in partnership with Exeter City Council since 2019 when the University declared an environment and climate emergency as we aim to provide the best environmental option for waste and recycling. The University is committed to achieving Net Zero status from Scope 1-3 carbon emissions by 2030.
We met with with members of Be the Change, a student-run society “campaigning for sustainability in Exeter, both on and off campus”. Beth and Becky provided us further insight into the student perspective of what they would like to see a change for in terms of how the University can support them be more sustainable.They are supported by Lily the Student Guild President and her team to ensure student voices are heard.
We also engaged with to the University’s Eat and Shop team who are committed to “supporting, using and promoting Fairtrade within the retail and catering outlets and services on campus and works towards a number of goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation”. We got to try some of their lovely fair-trade chocolate chip banana bread and coffee which we definitely recommend. They are currently working on nine thematic forum initiatives, of which they have completed three which are
- Student recipe cards with reduced meat content
- Have meat ‘opt out’ options on catered menus
- Reduce % of meat in meals / on menus / and meat second on display
We look forward to attending more events such as these and supporting the University in their endeavours.