Plymouth University's Fairtrade status renewed

Plymouth University’s Fairtrade status has been re-accredited in recognition of its efforts to encourage staff and students to make ethical choices when buying food and drink.

The University's re-accreditation complements Plymouth's 'Fairtrade City' status first certified in 2004 and held ever since.

The Fairtrade Universities and Colleges initiative ensures that producers of foods and goods are given a fair price for their work to reduce poverty and encourage sustainable development.

The University, which first achieved the status in 2006, has been re-accredited for a further two years after upholding and surpassing a number of goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation, including making a range of Fairtrade products available to buy in all campus restaurants, Students’ Union shops and catering outlets, setting up a Fairtrade Steering Group and running a Fairtrade awareness campaign.

Janie Paice, Chair of the University’s Fairtrade Steering Group, said: “We’re delighted to have had our Fairtrade status re-accredited for the next two years. The University works very hard to educate and promote sustainability and we believe that understanding and managing the impact our actions have on people and the environment is an essential part of our responsibility to supporting the Fairtrade status.”

Projects that have helped the University receive its re-accreditation include the promotion of Fairtrade products, a workshop by the Fairtrade Foundation, working with the city to promote Fairtrade and an art competition with local primary school students, as well as numerous events during its annual Fairtrade Fortnight.

Plymouth University has also this year been named as one of the top five greenest universities in the world for its sustainability credentials by the UI Greenmetric Ranking of World Universities, and the second greenest university in the UK according to People and Planet.