The world is a state of uncertainty and individual environmental actions may seem futile. However, everybody can be part of a change for a better future with small actions. That’s why we challenge your organization to participate in the Zero Waste September challenge inspired by Zero Waste Finland! As a student community we can easily bring more environmentally friendly choices to many people’s daily lives. If the organizations under HYY made some small changes in their communities, it would have a great impact on the environment. The autumn is a great time to stop and think about our own actions and embrace new, more environmentally friendly choices.
The aim of the Zero Waste September campaign is to reduce the amount of waste we produce and to change our daily habits towards a more sustainable consumption of natural resources. This year’s theme is “reuse what you already have”. We challenge you to tell us how your organization reuses the existing materials in innovative ways. During the month you can come up with inspiring and more eco-friendly ways of reuse materials in ways you couldn’t even imagine.
The most commendable performance will be awarded with a diploma and 100 euros. Another diploma and 50 euros will be raffled between the participating organizations. The organization can choose if they want to keep the money or donate it to an environmental charity of their choice in the name of HYY.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ZERO WASTE SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE
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Invent three ways how your organization reuses existing materials. Example: In our organization we use sheets as tablecloths in academic table parties.
Take a photo or a video of every example.
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With the Instagram account of your organization, make a post of them with hashtags #zerowasteseptember and #zerowastefinland and tag us to the post with @hyy_ymparisto. If you use Instagram story, save the photo/video to the highlights.
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Send all the photos or the videos to the email address hyy.ymparistovaliokunta@gmail.com. The photos and the captions need to be numbered and sent in the same message.
We ask you to inform us if you are participating in the challenge by sending us an email to the address hyy.ymparistovaliokunta@gmail.com. You can also tell us if you are interested in keeping or donating the award money. We hope that you could sign up to the challenge as soon as possible but at the latest the 23rd of September so that you have a week to complete the challenge. The photo material and the captions need to be sent at the latest the 30th of September at 11.59 pm. Remember to write the name of your organization and the contact person’s contact information to the message.
We understand the coronavirus situation complicates your activities this autumn but the participating does not necessarily involve face-to-face activities. You could think how to reuse materials in online or outdoors activities as well as when the indoor activities are possible again.
The most inventive zero waste actions will be presented on our social media accounts during the month! In order to give you some inspiration, HYY Environmental Committee also shares zero waste videos and tips on our Facebook (HYYn Ympäristöasiat) and Instagram (@hyy_ymparisto) accounts and here on our blog.
Have a great Zero Waste September and welcome to the challenge!