Aberystwyth University hosts Plastic Free Day

Rebecca Davies Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer with staff on a campus litter pick as part of Aberystwyth University’s Plastic Free Day.

Rebecca Davies Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer with staff on a campus litter pick as part of Aberystwyth University’s Plastic Free Day.

28 June 2018

Aberystwyth University hosted its first Plastic Free day on 26 June, in a bid to become the first certified plastic free university in Wales, an initiative based around phasing out single use plastics.

Led by the University’s Sustainability and Hospitality teams, the Plastic Free day challenged staff to rethink the way in which it uses plastic.  Some of the initiatives included:

  • Restricting the sale of many single use plastic items in its hospitality outlets.
  • A special offer on buying reusable coffee cups
  • Information stand on the Piazza
  • Guided litter pick-ups around campus.
  • Free screening of ‘A Plastic Ocean’ was also shown in the Arts Centre cinema

The Plastic Free accreditation aims to raise awareness and tackle the devastating impacts of single-use plastic from Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-wide environmental campaigning charity focused on protection of the marine environment.

Rebecca Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer said:

“It’s great that the University is at the forefront of a campaign to reduce plastic waste. Our staff and students are passionate about sustainability, ecology and conservation, and this is another step forward to show how we can all make a difference to one of the biggest problems facing the world today.”