Sustainability at Merton: Green Action Week

Green Action Week (10-14 February) was full of activity at Merton this year, organised by students, our wonderful Gardening Team, and Colleges Sustainability Officer, Jillian Mowbray. 

Second-hand clothes sale

Did you know that the UK discards almost 30,000 shipping containers full of cast-off fashion and home textiles every year? And, if that wasn’t bad enough, that only 0.1% of all clothing collected by charities and take-back programmes is actually recycled into next textile fibre?

This dire environmental cost of modern fast fashion was the topic of discussion in the JCR, as the Environment and Social Backgrounds Representatives held a second-hand clothing sale to kick off Green Action Week. Aiming not only to reduce the environmental impact of the student cohort as a collective, the sale - with its focus on formalwear items - also offered far more affordable options to students.

Accompanying the sale was a darning and Sashiko embroidery workshop, providing the opportunity to repair and continue using clothing which might otherwise have been discarded; all in keeping with the spirit of Green Action Week.

Sustainability Surgery

The MCR was also a hub of green activity during Green Action Week, with a Sustainability Surgery hosted by Jilly Mowbray.

Students were invited to drop in - doughnuts in hand - to chat with Jilly about all things sustainability. It was a great opportunity for Mertonians to ask questions, share ideas, and discuss ways, big or small, to make the College more eco-friendly.

Give your pot plant some love

The campaign concluded on Valentine’s Day with a special event dedicated to houseplants. Students and staff were invited to bring their pot plants to the College gardeners for repotting and expert care advice. The gardeners provided guidance on common issues such as overwatering, root overcrowding, and fungus gnat infestations. With its success, our gardeners decided to held the session every year from now on.