Candidate for the position of Sustainability Representative (Mile End)

Image for Leilani Van Someren

Leilani Van Someren

Hi! I'm Leilani and you may have seen me around campus from Green Mary, the Zero Waste Shop, Environmental Society, Book Club and Sober Socials. I like to be active in all of these communities and I have therefore noticed a lot of improvements that need to be made about sustainability on campus. I propose:

  • Making social media posts and (recyclable) posters, explaining:
    • What can and can’t be recycled
    • What happens to your waste and recycling after it’s taken away
    • How to go paper-free for bank statements
    • The benefits of buying plastic-free groceries and bringing reusable bags
    • Where to shop second hand
    • How to up-cycle clothes
  • Having workshops on how to be more sustainable in a variety of context
  • Adding new recycling schemes on campus, namely batteries, pens, non-donatable clothes, coffee cups and food waste
  • Ensuring recycling bags don't go to general waste bins on campus anymore
  • Ensuring recycling bins and bin bags are in all campus accommodations and distributed around all campus buildings
  • Promoting the Zero Waste Shop for buying everyday groceries
  • Introducing policies and information for societies and campus facilities to reduce the use of non-recyclable plastics and other unsustainable products

I welcome all other ideas on how to make campus and teach students about sustainability, so feel free to email me at l.vansomeren@se20.qmul.ac.uk or message me through any of the sustainability WhatsApp group chats (I believe I am on all of them!).