Warwick Students Raise Over £5,000 for Charity Through Sustainable Kitchen Kit Market

Warwick Students Raise Over £5,000 for Charity Through Sustainable Kitchen Kit Market

(IN BRIEF) The University of Warwick raised £5,900 for Coventry-based charity Carriers of Hope through its Kitchen Kit Market, where over 1,000 students purchased pre-loved kitchen items on a “pay as you feel” basis. This initiative, part of the university’s broader sustainability efforts, helped reduce carbon emissions and save students money, all while supporting refugees and asylum seekers. The event aligns with Warwick’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction.

(PRESS RELEASE) COVENTRY, 11-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Students at the University of Warwick have successfully raised more than £5,000 for local charities that assist refugees and asylum seekers through the Kitchen Kit Market held during Welcome Week. The event collected £5,900, all of which will be donated to Carriers of Hope, a Coventry-based charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities.

At the market, over 1,000 students participated, selecting from two tonnes of pre-loved kitchen items on a “pay as you feel” basis. This initiative allowed students to furnish their new homes while making a positive environmental impact. Some students managed to acquire complete kitchen sets for as little as £1, saving an average of £80 each by choosing second-hand items. In doing so, they also helped reduce carbon emissions—approximately 14.7 kilograms per person—the equivalent of driving 86 kilometers by car.

Hayley Lambert, Sustainability Champion for Circular Economy at the University of Warwick, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Our consumption of material goods is responsible for 53% of global carbon emissions and 80% of biodiversity loss, according to the UN Environment Programme. The Kitchen Kit Market showcases how the Circular Economy can be a powerful tool for reducing waste, cutting carbon emissions, and supporting responsible consumption.”

She further explained that the Circular Economy aims to extend the lifespan of products through reuse and repair. “The Kitchen Kit Market is a shining example of this in action, creating multiple benefits by keeping two tonnes of kitchenware in use, which not only lowers carbon emissions but also helps students save money and consume more sustainably.”

The Kitchen Kit Market is just one of the university’s broader sustainability efforts. Earlier this year, Warwick’s Donation Drive project saved over 8 tonnes of materials from being discarded. Items like kitchenware, homeware, and small appliances were either reused on campus or donated to local charities, helping to avoid an estimated 15,524 kg of carbon emissions.

Steffi Price, Director of Operations and Partnerships at Carriers of Hope, expressed gratitude for the partnership, saying, “The money raised and the items saved from waste help refugee families settle into their new lives by turning empty houses into welcoming homes. We are incredibly thankful to the Warwick Circular Economy team for involving us in this project.”

Warwick’s dedication to sustainability is aligned with the university’s broader goals to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly practices. This commitment was further acknowledged when the university was selected for a pilot carbon reporting scheme by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), reinforcing Warwick’s position as a sustainability leader in higher education.

Media Contact:

Kitchen Kit Market and Donation Drive:
Kat Beauchamp
Communications Officer
Katherine.beauchamp@warwick.ac.uk
07880 175 408

University of Warwick:
Phone: 07392 125 605
email: press@warwick.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Warwick

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