Our winning project, “Swap & Share: Building a Reuse Culture at UWS Lanarkshire,” is designed to make sustainability simple, social, and student-led. The initiative will empower students to take meaningful action on climate issues while also tackling cost-of-living challenges.

Through the Swap & Share pop-up event, students will be invited to bring pre-loved items such as accessories or homeware to swap for something new-to-them - all while enjoying a free snack and learning quick sustainability tips.

Following the launch, we’ll establish a Student Kitchen Reuse Bank, providing free reusable kitchen essentials like mugs, plates, cutlery, and utensils. This will help new and international students settle in more affordably while reducing waste and promoting a culture of sharing across campus.

Student volunteers will play a key role throughout the project - helping design swap guidelines, run the pop-up, manage the reuse bank, and lead peer-to-peer conversations on sustainability.

“This project shows how small, collective actions can create real impact,” said Omowaleola Adebayo, UWS Students’ Union President. “By connecting sustainability with everyday student life, we’re helping to build a community where reuse and responsibility go hand in hand.”

💪 Get Involved!
We’re currently looking for student volunteers to help with both the Swap & Share event and the Student Kitchen Reuse Bank.
If you’re passionate about sustainability and want to make a difference, get in touch with the Students’ Union to join the team!

This project is proudly supported by the Lanarkshire Youth Sustainability Grant, which funds youth-led initiatives promoting climate action and sustainable living across Lanarkshire.

Together, we’re proving that small actions can spark big change - one reusable item at a time. 🌱

Fill in our form here to register your interest for the Swap & Share event and Student Kitchen Reuse Bank in Lanarkshire or if you would like to be part of future sustainability initiatives across other campuses