Student Switch Off Encouraging Energy Saving and Recycling in halls of residence

Who We Are International energy-saving campaign 48 Universities in 2014/15 Not-for-profit Run by the National Union of Students

The Challenge

Success to date 2014/15 average reduction in electricity usage in halls of 6% across 48 Unis Saving of over 1,300 tonnes of CO 2 Over £230,000 in electricity expenditure Over 1,700 photos, 900 attendees at training events, 8,000 students on our Facebook fanpages and over 25,000 entrants to our online climate quiz Over 26,000 students (18%) signed up as Eco- Power Rangers.

Awards and recognition Ashden Awards 2012: Winner People and Environment Achievement Award 2011: Winner, Best Energy-Saving Idea

Competition within/between halls of residence to see who can reduce their energy usage by the greatest amount or have the lowest usage per student. Incentives for energy-efficient behaviour at individual and communal level. Including Ben & Jerry’s and NUS Extra cards. Building on existing social relationships, peer- to-peer communications, rivalries and communities. Overview

Freshers/Arrivals

Student Ambassadors

Photo Competitions Meet our Eco Power Rangers...

The Eco-Power Rangers...

Climate Change Quiz 6 questions Embedded in FB page Ben & Jerry’s incentive

Halls Visits - Facebook ‘like’ competition Example from Canterbury Christ Church University - 2 Ben & Jerry’s vouchers - 45 photos taken (many with multiple people in) people actively participating by getting their friends to like their photos. - 1,133 likes across all photos (over 20 shares) - 15,274 people reached by newsfeed people 'talking about' the competition

Measurement

Reward for winning hall

Costs and benefits £1.95 per resident of halls plus VAT (£3,000 min, £5,900 max) paid for by Estates/Accommodation Circa £100 for poster printing £50-£500 for end-of-year event Average saving in 2013/14 was over £3.50 per student

Recycling bolt-on Adaptable to recycling facilities and data available Check on how well students are using their recycling facilities Chocolates for good recycling kitchens £500 for bolt-on £0.55 per resident per audit

What we will do Produce posters Attend Fresher’s Fair/Induction event Run Ambassador Training Session - providing t-shirts and refreshments Run competitions and communicate with students every 2- 3 weeks Visit halls on 3 occasions over the year Work with your SU to raise profile of SSO Produce press releases Provide and distribute prizes – Ben & Jerry’s, NUS Extra Cards Analyse energy data Organise climate quiz (x2) Organise reward event(s)

What we need help with Print and put up posters in halls of residence Allow us to speak to students at induction events Provide us with access to the halls Send 6 s to all students in halls Provide us with additional local prizes Provide us with historical and contemporary electricity data Put money towards and help to organise the end-of-term/year event

Timetable Pre-arrival – Posters in halls, to residents Ongoing – Photo competitions every 2-3 weeks Ongoing – Energy data updates September – Induction/Freshers’ Fayre events October – SSO Ambassador training November – Online climate change quiz November – Halls visit January/February – Halls visit February - Online climate change quiz 2 March – Halls visit January/May – Celebratory event(s)

Thank you...any questions?