Unite Students scoop 12 NUS green impact awards – 18 June 2015

Unite Students, the UK’s leading developer and operator of purpose-built student accommodation, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded 12 bronze Green Impact Awards by the National Union of Students (NUS), with an additional three cities recognised with ‘Working Towards Accreditation’ certificates.

Unite was the first accommodation provider to sign up to Green Impact, appointing 30 sustainability champions from across Unite’s 28 cities. Champions work with students, employees and higher education partners on implementing a range of actions in their properties which positively impact the environment.

Results include helping to reduce carbon emissions, introducing recycling, motivating students to grow their own fruit and vegetables and encouraging cycling as a preferred method of transport. Staff and students completed 249 green actions during the year.

The scheme encourages universities and colleges to become more environmentally friendly and aligns with Unite’s core purpose to provide students with a Home for Success. Being part of the scheme empowers students to act responsibly and gain valuable experience and skills to support future employability. This comes at a time when 48% of students believe that it will be ‘challenging’ or ‘impossible’ to get the job they want when they graduate. (USIR 2015)

Richard Smith, Managing Director of Operations and Chair of Unite Students Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability committee said:

“We are delighted to be working with the NUS and to win these awards, it is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our teams to reduce our carbon footprint and help our students become more responsible.

A huge well done to everyone involved, it goes to show what a great impact we can have if we work together.”

Kim Croasdale, Sustainability Project Officer NUS said:

“Unite Students have done a fantastic job of engaging staff and students for the first year. We’ve been given great opportunities to trial some of our training via webinar and students have responded well to it.

After such an inspiring and successful first year, I’m really looking forward to what we can all achieve in the future!”