News

Environment Secretary ‘kick starts’ student recycling scheme

(11 May 2007)

Environment Secretary David Miliband today launched a new ‘green’ scheme to encourage Durham University students to recycle more of their rubbish.

Geography student Sarah Hall presented Mr Miliband – who chairs South Shields Football Club in his free time – with a football to reuse, marking the start of the University’s first-ever Green Move Out initiative. Mr Miliband, who is MP for South Shields, was visiting Durham University to find out how it is contributing to global, national and regional environmental agendas, accompanied by Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods. The Green Move Out will see students from Durham’s 16 colleges recycle, take to charity shops or give away unwanted items at the end of term instead of throwing them in the bin. Sarah, a second year Geography student who hails from Durham City, said: "I’m extremely proud to be taking part in the Green Move Out. Not only will we be taking another small step towards sustainable living, this could lead to other green initiatives and a willingness amongst students to do more.” Earlier in the day, Mr Miliband marked the refurbishment of Cosin’s Hall, the magnificent historic building on the World Heritage Site of Palace Green, which houses the University’s pioneering think tank, the Institute of Advanced Study. The Institute brings together some of the world’s finest researchers from every discipline to examine themes of major intellectual, scientific, political and practical significance. One focus is to examine how modelling can help scholars understand the complex processes, interactions and influences on climate change. Mr Miliband also gave a lecture to staff and students on the importance of research and technology in tackling climate change. Mr Miliband said: "I'm extremely impressed by the level of Durham's engagement with environmental agendas at all levels, and by the breadth of its internationally-recognised research programme in this area. "One of the Government's aims is to encourage people to take responsibility for their environment and the effect of their actions on climate change. Even small changes to their daily lives can make a difference. “The Green Move Out is an excellent example of a project which has inspired students to contribute to recycling efforts, and will be a valuable lesson which will stay with them long after they leave Durham." Durham University boasts a broad engagement with environmental issues across the university, at all levels of staff and students. It has four research institutes dedicated to tackling environmental issues. Highlights of its world-class environmental research agenda include a programme which looks at environmental change over millions of years, helping scientists to assess recent and future environmental change. Researchers have also identified a new way of reducing carbon emissions from peat deposits; developed electrical machines to extract energy from renewable sources and assessed risks of climate change to biological systems. Professor James Stirling, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University, said: “We’re honoured to welcome David Miliband to Durham. This visit has given us a chance to outline Durham’s commitment to and engagement with environmental agendas on the world stage, and to share and exchange views with the Government’s leading politician in this area.” The students’ Green Move Out is led by sustainable energy expert, Dr Antje Danielson, who came to Durham from Harvard University, where she initiated similar conservation programmes which saved the US institution over $100,000 in the first year alone. It is part of a wider Sustainable Living programme, which has a dedicated action group. Antje, who is also Deputy Director for Sustainability in Durham’s Centre for Research into Earth Energy Systems, said: “Based on my experience at Harvard, I think our sustainability programme overall could potentially reduce the CO2 emission from the University by 500 tonnes and generate £40,000 in savings in the first year. This is the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 120 average households.”