Jazz Godfrey from the sustainability team writes something down on the pledge wall at the SOS green event in Bury.
Eastern Education Group took over Bury St Edmunds town centre and turned it green to promote sustainability.
The SOS campaign (Students Operating Sustainably) was created by West Suffolk College and the Eastern Education Group and took place in Bury St Edmunds.
During the one-day occasion, marketing learners created eco-businesses and sold products in the Buttermarket.
A fashion show took place thanks to a collaboration with the charity MIND.
Nina Hart from the Eastern Education Group helped set up the SOS environment day in Bury town centre.
External organisations such as The Repair Café and Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital promoted their environmental work and pre-loved clothes stands were involved.
Catering students and staff hosted food waste cooking demonstrations and digital, sport and music departments supported the day.
Nina Hart is the Head of Sustainability for the Eastern Education Group and created the event with her colleagues. Nina said: “This was the second year that we have hosted this event in Bury and it has expanded considerably since we first started out. It’s all about raising awareness of sustainability and promoting our commitment as a college group to these issues. The overall aim is to become the most sustainable and environmentally friendly college group in the country and events like this can only help us on our mission to that goal.”
Louie and Lachlan set up a glass making business using discarded bottles.
Clare Mickerson was part of this event. The Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital volunteer said: “Our message to everyone is to get out there and help wildlife – not just hedgehogs but all wildlife.”
In terms of the college, Clare added: “They are trying to put a spotlight on the environment, and I think that is brilliant.”
Louie Mclintock, 18, from Clare set up a business called Glass Revive with fellow marketing business student, Lachlan Morris, 18 from Newmarket. Louie said: “We take bottles and turn them in to drinking glasses – so we give them a new life. It’s something we might continue in the future.”
On being sustainable, Louie added: “We need to knuckle down and create a greener future for everyone.”
Saskia Wilson, 18 from Stowmarket and Lily Gittings, 18, from Sudbury set up a company called Bake and Spoon. Lily said: “We both like baking so we chose something that we love to do - and we have enjoyed the process. I think we should try and make a real effort to not create more waste. That is something we really looked at when creating our business.”