Each year, SUBU hosts the Sustainability Challenge in collaboration with BU. The challenge is an opportunity for students to pitch their ideas on how to improve sustainability at BU to an expert panel of judges for a chance to win up to £500 to make their idea a reality.
During this year’s challenge, BU students Ben Young and Shesh Cooper won the judges over and secured funding to incorporate their idea into everyday life on campus.
Ben had the bold initiative to propose a university-wide plastic ban. Ben said he “saw the challenge as a great opportunity to have the chance to speak to the right people” about reducing plastic at BU - something that he is very passionate about.
“When I first had the idea, I knew it would be such a radical change. But I wanted to make a difference, so I had to do my research and formulate a thorough argument to get through to the judges.”
Shesh came a very close second and is working alongside Ben to support his plastic ban initiaive. He’s also working to raise awareness of cup washing stations on campus to help reduce single plastic use.
Both Ben and Shesh will work with SUBU to implement their ideas on campus.
If you are interested in getting involved or have an idea on how life on campus can be more sustainable, contact the Student Opportunities team at studentopportunitiesteam@bournemouth.ac.uk