Sustainability Week: Exploring waste and practical action 

Richmond’s Sustainability Week brought together a range of activities designed to encourage the university community to think differently about waste, recycling and the circular economy. Across the week, the programme combined guest speakers, Carbon Literacy training, library resources, fashion-led engagement and practical pledges to make sustainability visible across campus. 

Two guest speakers helped anchor the week’s conversation in real-world practice. Dax Lovesgrove brought a fashion-sector perspective, while Jenny Valfre shared insights from the restaurant industry. Their talks showed how sustainability is being interpreted and implemented in different sectors, and gave students and staff the chance to hear directly from professionals working in areas where these challenges are highly relevant. 

Another major part of the week was the Carbon Literacy training, led by Inma Ramos. The training was delivered across two half-days and gave participants the opportunity to build a stronger understanding of carbon impacts, emissions reduction and the role of individuals and organisations in taking meaningful action. It added an important practical dimension to the week and reinforced the value of turning awareness into capability. 

Inma Ramos also led sessions focused on circular economy thinking and plastics, offering a deeper look at the systems, challenges and opportunities involved in moving towards more sustainable models. These sessions helped participants connect theory with practice and consider how innovation and policy can shape more responsible approaches to materials and consumption. 

The library also played an important role by curating a waste and recycling exhibition. This gave students and staff access to books, articles and documentaries that explored where waste goes, how recycling systems work, and what individuals and organisations can do differently. It provided a simple but effective way to keep sustainability front of mind throughout the week. 

The fashion elements of the programme added a creative and interactive dimension. The fashion pledges display invited members of the Richmond community to commit to more sustainable habits around clothing, electronics and food, while the Fashion Society activity encouraged engagement through a hands-on, student-led approach. Together, these initiatives helped show that sustainability is not only about learning, but also about participation and shared responsibility.