Ernie chases another national award
23 September 2010
Southampton Solent University’s eco-float, ‘Ernie’, has been shortlisted for another national award for helping to spruce up a student area of the city.
Following on from winning the Local Government Chronicle Local award earlier this year, the University’s Eco Ernie project has now been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2010 for its Outstanding Contribution to the Local community.
The Ernie project centres on an innovative student summer clean-up, which sees University staff and students, the Students’ Union, 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 sets up special street collections for students' unwanted clutter. The recyclable goods – more than three tonnes of shoes, duvets and bedding - are sorted and used to raise funds for local charities, including Bag It Up, which supports the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
Southampton Solent University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Van Gore said: " This is not only great news for the University but also for students and for our partners in the City Council, local charities and residents in the community who have worked together so successfully to make this happen."
Southampton Solent University continues to work with the City Council to build upon the project’s success with waste issues in the Polygon, including reducing bins on pavements and cutting down on rubbish in front gardens.
There were almost 500 entries across 18 categories of the Times Higher education awards, now in their sixth year. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 25 November.
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