This year an amazing 83 unions took part in Sound Impact making it the most successful year yet. Of these, 55 gained the Silver standard by meeting the 23 Bronze and 12 Silver criteria and achieving an overall score of 420 or more.
But it is not just about the winning – all unions taking part will have made some practical changes that help them to reduce their negative environmental impacts, so the real winner is the environment!
Special awards
The Co-operative International Development Award
Newcastle University Union Society
Beating twelve other entrants, Newcastle won for their fantastic reuse scheme that has collected 18,000 used textbooks from schools and sent them out to Tanzania. Watch the video here.
The Ecologist Communications Challenge Award
Winchester Students' Union
Thirteen Unions submitted short films as part of the ward. Winchester Students' Union created a twenty-first Century Charlie Chaplin who ultimately learns that doing the small things has a big impact on the environment.
Watch the video here.
The Green Innovation Award
University of Bradford Union
Bradford beat off stiff competition from seven other unions and scooped the award for running a successful computer re-use project, so far rejuvenating 36 PCs and donating them to local schools.
The Co-operative Most Improved Union Award
Hull University Union
The Union that increased its score most on last year’s score was Hull, increasing their score by a massive 360 points.
Gold winners
Edinburgh University Students' Association. Score 776
Auditor comments: Mix of practical action and truly successful campaigns, including getting the University ensure that medicines developed on campus are provided at cost to the world’s poorest countries.
Winchester Students' Union. Score 681
Auditor comments: A strong commitment to campaigning and behavior change.
Loughborough Students' Union. Score 671
Auditor comments: One of only a handful of unions to reduce their utility consumption year on year.
University of Warwick Students' Union. Score 663
Auditor comments: Commended for its Green Space website and commitment to local food and biodiversity
Lancaster University Students' Union. Score 651
Auditor comments: Specifically commended for their innovative Green Lancaster scheme.
