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University of Leicester Students’ Union make for a greener society.

Students’ unions are leading the way when it comes to the Big Society, greening campuses and communities across the UK, according the latest findings of a national green scheme.

Green Impact Students’ Unions seek to capture the positive green innovations in students’ unions and promote them to the general public. This year the scheme has found more inspirational initiatives than ever, including a black-out day to save energy, the reallocation of end of semester unwanted food to homeless people, and a campaign against fly-tipping.

‘This year a record 88 students’ unions took part in our scheme, capturing an array of novel ideas, including energy audits of students homes, a rooftop vegetable garden with bee hives, and a part-time carnivore scheme to reduce the consumption of meat’ said Susan Nash, NUS’s Vice President Society and Citizenship.

Susan added ‘With 27 unions reaching our Gold standard, 33 reaching Silver, and 15 reaching Bronze, we have demonstrated that we have collectively made a really positive impact on the environment’.

The University of Leicester Students’ Union is proud to announce that it managed to scoop the Gold Standard, the highest award for good ethical and environmental practise. New innovations such as Smart Metering, rainwater flushed toilets and a Biomass Boiler all contributed towards the SU winning the award.

Owen Jones, Campaigns & Involvement Officer, “I am very proud for us to be awarded such an acclaimed award and really highlights the hard work put into becoming more environmentally sustainable carried out by various staff and officers over the past four years.”

Green Impact is run by NUS, sponsored by The Co-operative and in partnership with The Ecologist.