Artful Use Of Rubbish Launches University 'Go Green Week'
6 February 2013
Artworks made from refuse, created by University artist-cleaner Del Coombs.
Our Go Green Week is aimed not just at students and staff here but is also open to the public.
”Lynn Richards, University Environmental Manager.
'Rubbish' art will be created at the University of Derby when an artist-cleaner turns waste materials into a unique sculpture, as part of a public 'Go Green Week'.
The week devoted to environmental awareness has become an annual University fixture run with People & Planet, a national student-led movement empowering students to make change happen. People & Planet also produce the yearly Green League, which 'grades' higher education institutions on their environmental management performance - the University of Derby has a 'First Class' ranking.
Derby's Go Green Week - which is open to the public - will begin on Monday 11 February with the waste produced on one day at the University being displayed in the Atrium at its Kedleston Road site, in Derby.
Parts of the rubbish will be turned into a spiral sculpture by Del Coombs, a University cleaner and artist who specialises in making beautiful artworks out of waste materials.
On 'Travel Light Tuesday' 12 February people will be encouraged to try different modes of transport, to reduce the pollution they produce by commuting. There will be recycled bikes on sale, and fun events to try such as a Segway Slalom (a course for the two wheel, one person transporters) and a bid to see how many people can fit into a small electric car, the Renault Twizy.
Among the 17 exhibitors for the 'All Things Environmental' exhibition on Wednesday 13 February, again in the central Atrium at the Kedleston Road site, will be the Fairtrade organisation, Soundbites, the Derbyshire Amphibian and Reptile Group, a bird ringing demonstration, and Derby City Council's energy efficiency officers. There will also be a chance to try out the carbon gym, which uses a rowing machine to demonstrate the level of carbon dioxide emissions released by different methods of travel, or pedal the Energy Bike to power an MP3 player or a lightbulb.
On Thursday and Friday 14 and 15 February Go Green Week moves to the University's Buxton Campus, to stage two days of different environmental exhibitions. In addition to the return of the Renault Twizy and the Segway Slalom there will also be displays by the Buxton Students' Conservation society, the Peak Park Environmental Quality Award scheme and a chance to try out Transition Buxton's giant Carbonopoly game.
All the details about the University's Go Green Week are on its Environment website at: www.derby.ac.uk/estatemanagement/environmental-services/whats-happening
Lynn Richards, University Environmental Manager, said: "Our Go Green Week is aimed not just at students and staff here but is also open to the public. It's important that the information we're offering, on how to take better care of the environment, is delivered to the different audiences in an interesting and entertaining way."
More information about the work the University does to reduce its impact on the environment - including details of its Carbon Management Programme, aiming to deliver a 27% reduction in its carbon emissions by 2020 - can be found on its website www.derby.ac.uk/estatemanagement/environmental-services
For further press information please contact Joanna Colburn, University of Derby Press and PR Officer, on 01332 593004 or email: j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
