'Ernie' helps bag top award
Monday, 29 March 2010
Southampton Solent University’s eco-float, ‘Ernie’, has driven off with a national award for helping to spruce up a student area of the city.
Southampton Solent University - in partnership with Southampton City Council and local charity Bag It Up – was honoured for exceptional efforts to improve local communities at a prestigious national awards ceremony last week.
Representatives were presented with the Community Involvement award by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) in recognition of the work that is being done to manage and improve student waste and recycling in the Polygon area of Southampton.
The national award recognises last year's student summer clear-up which saw University staff and students , council employees, volunteers from the Central Baptist Church and members of the local community working together to keep the Polygon tidy during the annual changeover period - when students move out of and into rented houses at the end of the academic year.
With the help of 'Ernie', the team set up special street collections for students' unwanted clutter. The recyclable goods - including a ton of clothes, shoes, duvets and bedding - were sorted and used to raise funds for local charities, including Bag It Up, which supports the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and St Dismus.
Southampton Solent University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Van Gore said: " It's fantastic to be part of a winning team that is being recognised for improving local communities in innovative ways. This project has shown what can be achieved when the city council, University, local charities, students and residents work together to turn things around."
Councillor Matt Dean, Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for Environment and Transport said: “This award is great news for Southampton and shows how much we can achieve if we work together with our partners, residents and students. I extend my congratulations to everyone involved in this initiative for their energy, passion and determination to make a difference.”
Southampton Solent University continues to work with the City Council to build upon the success with waste issues in the Polygon, including reducing bins on pavements and cutting down on rubbish in front gardens.
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