Green Gown Awards 2018 - STUDENT - Amy Bernice Staff - Winner

As Sustainability Officer for The Students’ Union at UWE, I have been at the forefront encouraging 30,000 students to make more environmentally conscious choices through improving their understanding of how their everyday actions can positively affect the rest of the planet. I strive to connect staff and students with the wider community through collaboration around sustainability issues, such as food waste. 

Also, as Chair of the Sustainability Committee, I have led 13 passionate students to create and implement several innovative campaigns over the academic year, including: Plastic Detox – reduced single-use plastic consumption at UWE and raised nearly £250 for City to Sea and a sea turtle conservation unit in Malaysia; The New Period – successfully lobbied the NUS to stock menstrual cups, thus improving their accessibility across students’ unions and broke down the taboos surrounding their use through empowering UWE women; and created the first sustainable palm oil policy of any UK university.

Top 3 learnings:

1. Don’t underestimate the power of positivity and the student voice to create change.

2. Sustainability is an ongoing process – there are always exciting new initiatives to learn about!

3. Be specific – educate your audience about exactly how they can save the world.