Member Article

Green prize for Durham's SLAG

Durham University’s Sustainable Living Action Group (SLAG) has won a national award for its work on environmental initiatives. SLAG, a University-funded, student-led group beat 8 other shortlisted universities to win a Green Gown Award for Best Student-led Initiative earlier this month at the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC) conference. The group was honoured for its success in encouraging students to live more environmentally-friendly lifestyles.

The Green Gown Awards aim to acknowledge the achievement of higher education institutions in increasing environmental sustainability. SLAG holds campaigns all year round to raise both student and staff awareness of environmental issues.

SLAG actions have included the ‘plastic-bag-free-Durham’ initiative and the eco-friendly ‘Green Move Out’ campaign, encouraging students to recycle more of their rubbish when moving out of University.

Previous campaigns have included the building of a ‘Rubbish Mountain’ in front of Durham Cathedral from the waste of two colleges, and a naked photo shoot advocating recycling.

Anthony Crowther, Durham Student Union Environment Officer, said: “We are thrilled to achieve this award. It’s great to have been recognised for all the enthusiasm and effort we’ve put in over the past two years. “We are not going to rest on our laurels however. There’s so much more we can do and the Green Gown is a great boost to our efforts to make Durham an even greener place! “Hopefully SLAG can be a model for other Universities looking at how they can put students at the heart of their environmental improvement initiatives.”

Dr Antje Danielson, Deputy Director of Sustainability at Durham University, said: “Winning the Green Gown Award is a well deserved recognition for the students running SLAG. “They have worked very hard, putting in many hours and a lot of creativity. The SLAG students are true social leaders!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .