University of Warwick Kitchen Kit Market Raises Over £5,000 for Charity
Students at The University of Warwick have raised over £5000 for local charities supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
The Kitchen Kit Market, held at Warwick during Welcome Week, raised £5,900 for Carriers of Hope, a Coventry-based charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
The event saw over 1000 students purchase two tonnes of pre-loved kitchen items on a “pay as you feel” basis, picking up bargains to fill their new homes.
Some students managed to acquire full kitchen sets for as little as £1 and by opting for second-hand items instead of new, they saved an estimated £80 each and avoided approximately 14.7 kilograms of carbon emissions, the equivalent of driving 86 kilometres by car.
Hayley Lambert, Sustainability Champion for Circular Economy, highlighted the importance of the project, “It’s estimated that our consumption of material goods contributes to 53% of global carbon emissions and 80% of biodiversity loss (UN Environment).
“These statistics show that we urgently need to change our behaviour, and that Circular Economy is vital to achieving our local and global sustainability goals.
“Circular Economy is about prolonging the life of material goods through better design, but also through reuse and repair. The Kitchen Kit Market is a fantastic example of Circular Economy in action, bringing multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits. Keeping two tonnes of kitchenware in use that would otherwise have gone to waste reduces carbon, but it also enables our students to consume more responsibly and supports them with the cost of living.”
The Kitchen Kit Market is part of several wider sustainability projects, earlier in the year the Donation Drive project saved 8.16 tonnes of materials from general waste. The Drive collected food, kitchenware, homeware, and small electrical items to be reused on campus or rehomed by local charities, avoiding an estimated 15,524 kg of carbon emissions – equivalent to driving 2.3 laps around the world or 15 million phone charges.
Steffi Price, Director of Operations and Partnerships at Carriers of Hope said, “Not only do we save tonnes of waste from landfill, but the items collected and money raised go to providing a positive start for our clients as they settle into their new lives in Coventry.
“Every item helps turn a refugee family’s empty house into a home where they can feel safe and happy. Thanks to Warwick Uni Circular Economy team for inviting us to be part of the project.”
In line with the University’s sustainability strategy, Warwick has undertaken a series of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly practices.
These efforts were recently recognized when the University was selected for a pilot carbon reporting scheme by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), highlighting Warwick’s role as a leader in sustainability within the higher education sector.