The Students Union (SU) encourages recycling and aims to reduce waste. In-halls recycling was introduced in the academic year 2008-9. There are various recycling points around campus. SUHQ, in addition to recycling paper in the building, collects organic waste for compost, and the Environment Campaigns Officer for 2009-10 will be looking into extending this to halls.

 

The SU has recently set up a bus user group such that student problems with the bus service can be raised. The recent ‘Taken for a Ride’ campaign has made progress in encouraging bus use.

 

The SU supports the 'Do it for the Planet' scheme, promoted by the national NUS environment committee' that promotes food and drink from companies with sound environmental policies. NUSSL also have an ethical purchasing guide that has environmentally sound practices.  A vegetarian or vegan option is provided by all SU food outlets on campus. Organic food is also promoted.

An ethical sponsorship motion was secured by an SU AGM, providing guidelines for union council on what may be regarded as unethical behaviour, including 'the use of environmentally damaging practices'.

Recently, a policy banning oil company Esso from advertising in student publications, or sponsoring student activity in the union was passed at referendum, and Union Council renewed a policy banning McDonalds. Both these companies were considered to employ environmentally damaging practices. It is hoped that the University will adopt a similar policy.

 

The SU has a part-time student Environment Campaigns Officer and an Environment Campaigns Working Group, which aims to promote greater environmental awareness on campus. A key focus is the annual ‘Go Green Week’, which facilitates talks, debates, activities and direct action.

Warwick’s branch of the national People and Planet (P&P) society has a strong Go Green campaign. They lobby both the union and the university on environmental issues and also raise awareness on campus of global environmental issues. In 2009-10, in the run-up to the UN’s crucial December talks on climate change in Copenhagen, P&P (in association with the SU) hosted prominent speakers, running various campaigns, and members ultimately travelled by bike to Copenhagen to join the protestor presence there.

There is also an Animal Rights society, which campaigns for better provisions for vegetarians and vegans, as well as campaigning against animal testing.