Sustainability Zone (12th December 2016)

Apologies were recieved from Frazer, Elle, Alex and Flora.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved. 

David has been ill and has therefore not been able to achieve everything that he has wanted to so far this year but there is much work ongoing

Prevent – work ongoing and will involve as many students as possible. Uni has a light touch approach and the uni’s approach should be more widely publicised.

Dan’s statement on the RAG gunge event – £580.89 - £70.65 on food. Dan has spoken to RAG and they have acknowledged that is was a problem and won’t be repeated next year. In the future they will use corn starch instead of food. Amy wanted a public statement. Dan disagreed and said he would talk to RAG.

Scott noted that it is hard to avoid using food entirely.

The committee decided to evaluate the Resource Allocation Document and suggest changes David wants to do an environment audit.

Amy stood for election to the available open place but could not be elected as after consultation with the rules one open place had to reserved for a first year student. 

A statement regarding the proposal from the Environment and Ethics officer was read out. See attached officer report. The committee were in broad agreement with the statement and it was decided that proposal should be thoroughly revised and resubmitted before it could be approved. The committee was in favour of keeping Sustainability as a zone separate from Student Life. 

The committee decided that due to the absence of some officers and due to some members having to leave that the election of the zone's senate representative would be carried out at a later date. 

International Women's Day will be on Wednesday 8th March 2017 this year. The union will run its annual Inspiring Women Event and will support the University's event in West Quay on Saturday 11th March. 

Due to several members of the committee having to leave the meeting it was decided that funding decisions would be conducted by email.

Course reps t-shirts - A statement from Elliot was read to committee. The committee discussed how to move sustainability as a principle to all zones and agreed to discuss the matter further with VP Education. 

Ban Plastic Now update - 

It was noted that doing an environmental audit of the union is good but the question was asked what will we do now? Why don't we change water bottles? Change to biodegradable trays that don’t go soggy? Why can’t we use reusable plastic cups in our venues?

David is gathering examples and is working with Union Services about immediate changes we can do. Things are happening and David and will do more to promote this. Reusable coffee cups will be coming with loyalty scheme for the bridge.

David is looking into the best water bottled we can have such as ones that would be recycled plastic and donate money to water aid or other charities.

David is also looking into better disposable cutlery e.g. wood or edible such as is being pioneered in India. Quick wins for sustainability will be complemented by a full audit.