Sustainable Universities Month
By Francesca Davis
The National Union of Students' national environment department has named May "Sustainable Universities Month".
A national campus-based campaign will highlight unsustainable university practices. As major consumers and "centres of learning", universities have a responsibility to use their resources efficiently and provide an example to the wider community, NUS stated.
Campaign kits will be distributed to highlight the three main components of the campaign: the use of 100% recycled photocopier paper; the use of biodegradable and re-usable products in catering; and campus-wide recycling and waste minimisation systems.
A key part of the campaign will be the Universities of Australia Sustainable Universities Charter, which will be presented to the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee at the end of the month.
Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown launched the campaign in Queensland on April 24.