Undeb Bangor Receives Excellent Standard in Green Impact Students' Union Awards 2022-23 and achieved the highest score out of all Students’ Unions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What is the Green Impact Award?

The Green Impact Award is an environmental accreditation scheme that recognises and promotes sustainable practices within Students' Unions. It is administered by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK). The Green Impact Award sets a standard for environmental best practices and encourages participating organisations to improve their sustainability performance year after year.

The award provides a framework for organisations to assess and enhance their environmental impact across various areas, including energy and water usage, waste management, travel, procurement, biodiversity, and social responsibility. Participating organisations undertake a series of actions and initiatives to achieve specific targets and meet the criteria set by the Green Impact program.

Undeb Bangor, Bangor University Students' Union, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the Excellent Standard in the Green Impact Students' Union 2022-23. This esteemed recognition underscores the Union's continuous commitment to sustainability and environmental excellence.

Undeb Bangor's achievement in attaining the Excellent Standard can be attributed to its range of impactful initiatives that address critical sustainability challenges and encourages positive change. Notably, the Union's Cost of Living Campaign exemplifies the connection between social, environmental, and financial sustainability, delivering benefits not only for students' financial well-being but also for the environment during a challenging time.

Throughout the year, Undeb Bangor implemented a series of initiatives to support students during the cost-of-living crisis, including providing free reusable period products, organising clothes swaps with over 300-400 items exchanged, hosting Repair Cafés that repaired 50 items, lobbying the University for the £2 meals, distributing free graduation tickets for students, granting travel cost coverage for students on placement, providing emergency food vouchers, funding free outdoor activities, and securing a commitment from the university for £100 bursaries for students completing an undergraduate professional placement. Additionally, the Union successfully passed a Fairtrade Tea and Coffee policy, ensuring that Fairtrade products are purchased for SU-organised events, as endorsed by the Student Council.

Undeb Bangor's collaboration with environmental organisations and charities has enriched students' sustainability opportunities and relevance to their academic pursuits. Partnerships with the Marine Conservation Society for the Beach Clean Volunteering Project resulted in the collection of 50 kg and 1,200 individual pieces of litter. The Bangor Big Clean, conducted in collaboration with Bangor City Council, Gwynedd Council, local schools, and the Union's volunteering projects, saw the removal of approximately 20 bags of litter. Furthermore, a new volunteering opportunity with Menter Mon enabled students to monitor water voles in the local area, while talks and guided walks organised by the North Wales Wildlife Trust provided valuable insights into conservation efforts.

An auditor from the Green Impact program commended Undeb Bangor for its outstanding work, stating, "It was a really brilliant call, and I really enjoyed hearing about all of the brilliant work they have done this year and their real passion for it. I was blown away by some of the campaigns and really excited to see what they will achieve next year."

Josie Ball, Volunteering and Community Coordinator, who collaborated closely with the Union's Sustainability Assistant, Beth Quinton, student staff member and student leaders to achieve this recognition, shared her enthusiasm, saying,

“Achieving excellence in the Green Impact Students' Union Award is a testament to our dedicated student community and staff. Their hard work and collaboration enabled various social, financial, and environmental sustainability initiatives. Working with passionate student volunteers who genuinely care about people and the environment has been an honour. We extend special thanks to Beth Quinton, our incredible Sustainability Assistant, for her invaluable support in the submission process. Together, we're creating a sustainable future for our university and community.”

Undeb Bangor remains resolute in its dedication to sustainability and will continue to lead by example, striving for even greater accomplishments in the coming years.