Monday, 02 March 2020
A new zero-waste shop is opening at the 糖心原创 offering a range of goods that are completely free from single-use plastic packaging.
Portland Zero is a permanent addition to the retail outlets in the Portland Building and opening its doors at the start of the university’s Sustainability Week (2 – 7 March) and will stock a huge variety of products from nuts, cereals, grains and oils to eco -friendly cleaning products and toiletries, all of which are free from plastic packaging.
Research carried out by the Students’ Union which surveyed 1,500 students showed that sustainability was one of the most important issues to students and 82% would be willing to change their shopping habits to be more sustainable.
Changing shopping habits
Portland Zero has been set up by Lee Taylor, Environmental and Social Justice Officer at the Students’ Union. 21-year-old Lee is a Nottingham local and was a previous director of the successful Foodprint shop in Nottingham.
I鈥檓 hugely passionate about the finding ways to make living more sustainably more accessible for local people. Bringing a zero-waste shop onto campus makes ditching the plastic much easier and we hope will encourage not just students but also staff and the wider public to change their shopping habits to help protect the environment.
The new shop has been part-funded by money raised through the university’s latte levy scheme which put an extra 20p onto every drink purchased in a disposable cup, in a bid to encourage the use of reusable cups. The latte levy helped to save over 75,000 cups and raised over £60,000 in 2018/19 which is being reinvested into interventions to reduce waste.
The new Portland Zero shop will stock a wide range of wholefoods that will be sold by weight, so customers can buy as much or as little as they need and can use their own container, pick up a recyclable paper bag, or invest in a reusable jar or lunchbox from the wide range on offer in the shop.
There is also a refill station where people can fill up bottles with liquid products including oils and vinegars. Cheaper and better for the environment, refilling is a great alternative to buying a new plastic bottle every time you run out of these items.
It is great that through our WasteNotts campaign we have been able to not only bring about positive environmental behaviours but also support the wider university community by funding the creation of this waste free shop on Campus, which will instil further positive behaviours across the university. Our community is an integral part of our environmental journey and it is through our collective actions that we will continue to see change.
Sustainability Week is a week-long celebration of all things sustainability, from the environment to health and wellbeing to social justice to equality. Incorporating events for Fairtrade Fortnight, University Mental Health Day, and International Women*'s Day, Sustainability Week covers all aspects of sustainability as defined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There are over 70 events planned and the sustainability awards. Details of all the events can be found
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For more information contact Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science on 0115 74 86462 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.