1. Sustainability in Conservation: Student Ambassador Program
Caitlin Southwick ROI Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, University of Amsterdam
Jane Henderson Reader in Conservation, Cardiff University
Raven Todd DaSilva MA Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, University of Amsterdam
SiC
Sustainability in Conservation (SiC) is an international organization aimed at promoting sustainability and ecological awareness in conservation of cultural heritage and related fields. The group was founded by students SiC has a strong oin 2016 to support environmental responsibility, highlighting the duality of conserving the planet along with the art and heritage it contains. SiC aims to facilitate a united effort to encourage sustainable conduct in conservation by focusing on small changes in daily working practice to make a large difference.
SiC has a strong online presence and connects directly with students and professionals globally. With over 400 Facebook followers and active Twitter and Instagram accounts, SiC continues to grow and through the launch of the Student Ambassador Program endeavours to connect with institutions worldwide.
Student Ambassador Program
SiC’s Student Ambassador Program puts sustainable practice in the hands of the
students to incorporate and encourage ecological thinking from the training level.
SiC provides participating institutions with an introductory kit which outlines the
program, its goals and a list of projects. Each institution appoint a Student
Ambassador, which can be a rotating role, a group of students or a single individual.
SiC works with the Student Ambassador, providing resources and guidance to
support success. The Student Ambassador is responsible for identifying problem
areas in and around the lab such as waste production and energy usage as well as
promoting awareness about sustainable methods and initiatives. Schools compete
with each other in semester-long challenges and successes are showcased via
social media.
Far Right: Recycling bins at the Cardiff University Lab
Right Cardiff University equipment energy guide. Photo: Jenna Marie Taylor.
Sustainable Practice at Cardiff University
SiC’s Student Ambassador Program is based on the success of student sustainability champions at Cardiff University.
In order to promote more sustainable laboratory practice a student was appointed as sustainability champion. Research and actions of Sustainability Champions have resulted in waste audits, publications with benchmarks of practice and aspirations, the initiation of the Shut the Sash program, recycling and energy saving schemes and last year the students were awarded the Gold Award by the UK’s National Union of Students Green Impact Award scheme and named as the University’s Student Sustainability Champions of the year.
Above: Cardiff University students Marcin Krzewicki and Jack Newcombe with lecturers Jane Henderson and Phil Parkes receiving the NUS Green Impact Gold Award from NUS representative. Photo: Cardiff University
Left: Shut the Sash energy saving sticker at Cardiff University.
Glove Recycling and Energy Saving Stickers
Challenges
Energy Savings #SiCStickIt
Energy Saving Stickers around the lab
Competition for most creative energy saving sticker
Reduce, Reuse, Restore! #SiCReduce
Creative ways to reuse materials
Gloves: Glove It Before You Love It #SiCGloveLove
Do you need to use gloves? Track your glove usage
Can you switch to or use reusable/recyclable/biodegradable gloves?
Slow Your Roll #SiCSlowYourRoll
Reduce paper towel usage by switching to tea towels, can you find paper towels from recycled/sustainable sources?
Unplug It! #SiCUnplug
Stickers on appliances that should be unplugged when not in use
Water Awareness #SiCDroptheDrip
How can you reduce water usage?
Poster Competition #SiCPosterCompetition
Awareness poster- social media vote and winner will be available to download through SiC platforms
Insulation Nation #SiCShutTheSash
Reduce airflow in fume cupboards to save energy by keeping sashes and hood shut
You Look Better In The Dark #SiCSwitchOff
Turn lights off when not in use- remember to check desk, microscope and fume cupboard lights!
Trash is for Tossers! #SiCLessTrashMoreClass
How can you reduce waste in your lab? Can you find new uses for old materials?
Digitize Me #SiCDigitizeMe
Reduce printing and paper consumption
Above: Disposible nitrile gloves produce a significant amount of waste in labs. Glove waste mitigation solution: RightCycle glove recycling program from Kimberly-Clark Professional*.
Above: 2 months worth of used gloves from the Rijksmuseum metals department. Photo: Joosje van Bennekom, Rijksmuseum.
Sustainability in Conservation
@SiConserve
ICOM-CC Triennial Conference
Education and Training Working Group Poster Session
Copenhagen, Denmark September
Acknowledgements
Jenna Marie Taylor, SiC Professional Outreach, Imperial War Museum, London
Hedwig Braam, SiC Coordinator Educational Outreach Material, University of Amsterdam
Moorea Hall-Aquitania, SiC Director of Communications, University of Amsterdam
Sasha Drosdick, SiC Educational and Promotional Materials, Brooklyn Museum
Estelle De Bruyn, SiC Researcher, ENSAV La Cambre, Brussels
Mariana Escamilla, SiC Researcher, Cologne University of Applied Sciences – CICS
Mariana Di Giacomo, SiC Social Media Coordinator, University of Delaware
Anna Ersenkal, SiC Outreach Committee, Buffalo State University
AIC Sustainability Committee
Kate Seymour. SRAL
Megan de Silva, Jenna Marie Taylor, Marcin Krzewicki and Jack Newcombe, Sustainability Champions, Cardiff University
Above and right: Energy saving stickers. Available online at SiC’s website. Photo: Hedwig Braam
References
NUS Green Impact
Megan de Silva & Jane Henderson (2011) Sustainability in conservation practice, Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 34:1, 5-15, DOI: /