Stratford-upon-Avon College and partner Solihull College & University Centre are championing sustainability by presenting all students and staff with ‘Prevented Ocean Plastic’ re-usable water bottles.
The initiative came as part of the College’s Sustainability Strategy which aims to reduce waste and head towards being Net Zero by 2030. The College’s sustainability goals are substantial as they acknowledge that climate change is one of the most urgent global challenges today and recognise the crucial role the College has, not only in reducing their own environmental impact but also the responsibility and opportunity the College has through teaching, research, and innovation.
The College’s commitment includes action to reduce carbon emissions from energy and water use across the three campuses, reduce waste and increase re-use and recycling, promote sustainable travel as well as embedding sustainability into the culture, curriculum and college life.
The re-usable water bottle scheme allows the College to reduce waste, especially single-use plastic, as well as support a business that is sustainable. Head of Sustainability, Olly Scholefield, described why the College entered into this particular initiative: “Whilst it may seem slightly ironic that the college has purchased plastic bottles to reduce plastic use, the plastic used to make the bottles is in fact sourced from discarded plastic litter and rubbish picked up from beaches and shorelines in areas of the world at risk of ocean plastic pollution.”
“The bottles are then taken to local collection centres for payment supporting the local economy before being sorted, washed and broken down into flakes or pellets before being reprocessed. This prevents the plastic being washed into seas and oceans and creating plastic islands like the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ . The Prevented Ocean Plastic Programme offers a supply of this traceable material while supporting local communities in the regions they source from and driving long-term environmental solutions. Therefore, this initiative fits perfectly with our sustainability goals for reducing waste and supporting sustainable companies.”
