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The green message was celebrated with an environmental festival which is reputed to be the biggest that any university in the UK has produced.

Each day had a different greenÌý theme to demonstrate ways individuals could change their lives to become more eco-friendly.

Themes included travel and transport, local and organic food, energy and climate change, and waste and recycling.

Big Green Week

The 'Big Green Week' was a way of introducing the new Environment Team. The team is committed to changing the old ways of the University.

The team used this detail to produce a large recyclable banner which still spans the top two floors of the University's tallest building, the Attenborough Tower, with the statement, 'One Years University Waste Could Fill This Tower – Now We Can Recycle Half Of This'.

The hope was that this prominent message would shock staff and students into engaging with a new recycling scheme which is currently being rolled out across the campus.

A new optimism and enthusiasm for all things green was felt on the final day of the festival with a gathering of around 450 staff and students who spelt out the message that 'UoL GOES GREEN'.

Carbon Footprints

Over the last year the University has made some dramatic changes to try and put it on the map as a University with a new green conscience.

A carbon footprint for the University has been formulated along with projects to help to reduce it.

New developments in waste management and travel planning are on the horizon and senior managers have committed to an environmental policy that will guide the University's green agenda.

Dr Emma Fieldhouse, the University's Environmental Manager thinks that the success of 'Big Green Week' has given the University a, "belief that change is possible".

In order to make a difference she has been working with both student groups and staff to help promote green concerns on campus.

Transformation

This general green change comes as the University library undergoes a physical transformation.

As well as promoting the 'going green' message, the University is striving to gain Fairtrade status.

This initiative is being led by Alex Smith, one of the Student Union sabbatical officer's and has the full support of managers around the University. Dr Fieldhouse is confident that the status will be achieved before Christmas.

The high political profile of green issues means that it is no longer possible for universities to ignore them.

'Big Green Week' was a huge success combining both the fun and serious sides of environmental issues.

The University of Leicester has set an example that other universities across the country seem keen to follow.

By encouraging its students to engage in these issues, the Environment Team hopes that the University’s future graduates will go on to make a real difference.