Covid-19 changed our lives. It has also reinforced weaknesses in our economy and society that mean marginalised communities suffer the most. As lockdown eases, society has an opportunity to build back a better world: one which is fair, robust and sustainable. As Sustainability Champions, we have a role to play in helping to shape what that world could be, particularly in relation to environmental and social justice. In this final instalment of our webinar series, we’d like you to strengthen your understanding of how a circular economy can help to “build back better”.

This event has been organised for Sustainability Champions. However, all interested University of Edinburgh staff and students are welcome to attend.

Our Speakers

Kate Fitzpatrick, Waste and Recycling Manager at the University of Edinburgh

Kate is the University Waste Manager and sits within the Estates Department. The Waste Office procure, manage and monitor centralised contracts for general waste and recycling streams, and for high risk or hazardous streams. Working in operations meant that Kate had to deal with the impact of the global pandemic on waste management. A priority of the Waste Office is to embed circular economy within their operations, and they work with the University population and partners in the community to realise this.

Eliska Suchochlebova, Conscious Change

Conscious Change is a student-led social enterprise at the University of Edinburgh aiming to make sustainability mainstream. They fundamentally believe that any individual is a decision maker and has a power of action on changing their own environmental impact, whether it be fashion, food, transport or plastic use. Conscious Change strives to educate, help and inspire individuals to realise the positive and social environmental impact they can make in their day to day life.