What is Green Fortnight? 

In collaboration with UWE Bristol, The Students’ Union at UWE held our annual festival of eco ideas, events and smart living: Green Fortnight! It ran across 14 days and was packed with over 55 events attended by over 1,300 Students. We held dedicated seminars, activities, drop-ins and workshops. The events were all centred around educating our community on sustainable practices as well as tackling the climate crisis and protecting nature. Here are some of the highlights we would like to celebrate and share with you. 

Placement Uniform Swap Shop 

During Green Fortnight over 50 students used the Placement Uniform Swap Shop at Glenside! This saved students £980 in total, reduced garment waste and students were able to wear uniform they feel comfortable in. We are extremely proud of the shop, as it helps us meet sustainable development goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals), such as sustainable communities. The Placement Uniform Swap Shop will continue to help students throughout the year, opening every Wednesday, from 12pm to 2pm, during term time. 

Renewable Clothing Sale 

Vinyl Renewable clothing store came to Frenchay and Bower Ashton Campus! Their aim is to stop clothing ending up in landfill. Their partners supply samples and seconds for them to print and over dye to give a new lease of life. Around 600 students attended both events, with around 100 items bought and saved from landfill. This provides students with a great alternative to mainstream retailers, leading students to a business worth supporting, to better our greener future! 

Greenspace Conservation Volunteering Day 

Students and members of the public worked together to carry out conservation work at Sims Hill Community Woodland.  They carried out activities such as bramble bashing, litter picking, bird box clearing, path clearance, reinforcing the stumps for saplings and clearing ash – all of which improve the woodland for the public and wildlife. The students involved learnt about conservation and now hold the skills alongside it. These volunteering days happen monthly so if you would like to get involved, please email thegreenteam@uwe.ac.uk to find out when the next volunteering day is or get added to the Greenspace Volunteers WhatsApp chat. 

Frenchay Clothes and Book Swap Shop  

We held a swap shop where students could take, swap or donate items. A variety of items, such as clothes, shoes, books and tech. This event attained 69 students who saved their pennies on buying new fast fashion and technology, meanwhile reducing the carbon footprint of deliveries. The Community at UWE have been amazing donating as much as they did, and we could not have done it without people's generosity. 

Dr Bike 

We ran free drop-in Dr Bike sessions for all students and staff (funded by Travel WEST). The mechanic carried out check-ups and simple repairs on student and staff bikes, particularly on brakes, gears and punctures (with a charge for the parts but not for the labour). Students and Staff could ask the mechanic any questions they may have had about bike maintenance, cycle safety and more. Students were able to get their minor bike repairs done for free, helping them travel sustainably! 

Sustainable Period Product Trial 

Additionally, we ran period stalls at Frenchay and Bower Ashton campus sites. The period stalls offered students free, plastic free disposable period products and gave student's the opportunity to sign up to the sustainable period product trial. The trial offers students and staff access to a free sustainable period product, such as menstrual cups or period pants, to help promote sustainable periods and engage people in considering their plastic waste. A total of 16 students signed up during Green Fortnight and we gave out 100 Natracare disposable products from stalls.   

We really enjoyed this year’s festival and are looking forward to Green Fortnight 2025. We hope you are too!