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Environment > 'Seven Steps to Sustainable Living' at Sussex - info, advice and guidance > Step 6 - Reducing chemicals  

Environment

The Students' Union is committed to protecting the environment and is involved a variety of projects and activities to raise awareness about environmental issues and support sustainable initiatives.

For the last to years we have been awarded a Gold ‘Green Impact’ NUS award for our efforts to reduce our ecological impact.

We have an elected part-time Environmental & Ethical Officer, supported by the full time Operations Officer. The role of the Ethical & Environmental Officer is to liase between students, societies, the Union and the University on all things ethical and environmental, and to push forward new policies and ideas for sustainability. We also have four Ethical & Environmental Reps

Contents

► Step 6 - Reducing chemicals

Sustainable Living

Making your own cleaning products is fun, creative and saves you money, as well as the environment. Give it a go!

Did you know...?
3 of the 25 British species of bumblebees are already extinct and half the remaining species are in serious declines, with scientists finding strong links to pesticide use. A similar trend is being noted around the world - this is very bad news as bees are key pollinators of much of the world's food supply! For more info see the Co-operative's 'Plan Bee' campaign site.

HOW?

Here are a few easy places to start:

  • Use natural cleaning and beauty products, rather than chemical ones.
  • Try making your own products from natural ingredients.

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WHERE?

Buying chemical-free products:

Cleaning and Beauty Products
See details of the shops and co-ops listed in the eating sustainably section for details on where to buy cleaning products (Infinity Foods, Pulse Organics, Campus Community Coop).

The Students' Union shops also now stock a range of Co-op ecological cleaning products, so its even easier to get your hands on them!

Making chemical-free products:

Wikihow – 'Make your own beauty products'
One of the many on-line web-pages with tips and ideas for making your own natural products.

Co-operative online - 'Green Cleaning Tips'
The Co-operative website's 'Ethical Living' section has a helpful page of green cleaning tips.

>> Step 7 - Campaigning for environmental justice