A campaign to tackle food waste from The Students’ Union at UWE Bristol, has been shortlisted for a major international environmental award.

The ‘Bring Your Own Bowl’ initiative has been named as a finalist at the International Green Gown Awards, which take place in New York on 10 July, as part of the United Nations high level political forum.

Bring Your Own Bowl (BYOB) is a food waste behaviour change and student community building intervention. Primarily for students based in university accommodation, BYOB focuses on creating social networks through the shared enjoyment of free tasty surplus food.

The Students’ Union at UWE Bristol hold food events to engage students on key food waste messages and to provide ideas for personal action. The name symbolises the fact that all students have to do is bring their own bowl to the events. The BYOB campaign is helping to create and empower student-led sustainability change.

The Students’ Union at UWE Bristol will represent the UK and Ireland in the Student Engagement category, along with finalists from higher education institutions from Africa, Canada, France, South America, New Zealand and the US.

Endorsed by the UN, the awards celebrate inspirational sustainability leaders, recognising exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by the world's universities and colleges.

Jade Marsella, The Students’ Union at UWE Sustainability Champion and full-time VP Sports and Health said “We are very proud (to represent the UK and Ireland) for this prestigious accolade, showcasing our true commitment to embed sustainability into all we do as a students’ union, and also demonstrating the power the student movement has to shape and contribute to developing sustainable practises and providing the solutions to global issues.”

You can find out more about the awards and the finalists on the Green Gown website.