5 Greens a Day: Encouraging Sustainable Living

Walking to work, buying Fair Trade goods, reusing and recycling, boiling less water…

There are countless ways in which we can all save energy, reduce waste and preserve the world’s natural resources – and through its ‘5 Greens a Day’ initiative, Staffordshire University aims to encourage students and staff (and their families and friends) to do just that.

Based around the five key greens of: Energy, Resources, Water, Travel and Waste, ‘5 Greens a Day’ is the brainchild of BA(Hons) Graphic Design graduate, David Salt.

Launched on April 1, his eye-catching campaign follows on from the University’s successful energy-saving ‘Help Us Stop’ initiative and will see posters, window banners and postcards placed around the campuses to remind people to live more sustainably.

“I was asked to come up with ideas to promote the environmental side of the University after working as a graphic designer on the University Quarter (UniQ) - a £multi-million education-led regeneration project for Stoke-on-Trent,” said David.

“The ‘5 Greens a Day’ idea came from old stories and English proverbs – something that has interested me for a long time,” he added. “I was interested in seeing how the stories would reflect in visual images. I also wanted to use the five fruit and veg a day idea so that people could incorporate five sustainable actions into their every day life as well.”

“The campaign gives people achievable targets towards a more sustainable lifestyle and will hopefully inspire as many individuals as possible to do their bit for the environment,” commented Staffordshire University Environmental Coordinator, Adam Van Winsum.

Around the globe and across the UK, Staffordshire University is making a real impact. From providing sustainable solutions to the problems faced by society, to transforming lives, tackling global issues and stimulating flexible new ways of teaching and learning, our academics - and graduates - are helping to make the world a much better place.