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Faculty of Humanities

Bee Circular UoM: Transforming Sustainability and Social Impact

17 Oct 2024

Read Haojun Shuai, BSc Environmental Management student in SEED, message on the Bee Circular initiative at the University and how it aligns with the Faculty Environmental Sustainability mission.

By Haojun Shuai (BSc Environmental Management, SEED)

Bee Circular UoM, a student-led initiative, is focused on reducing food waste and fostering sustainability within the University of Manchester and its surrounding community through strategic partnerships and volunteer engagement. Our collaboration with local retailers, such as Sainsbury’s and Pret A Manger, to redistribute surplus food to those in need, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to minimising waste while supporting social responsibility efforts. Our mission aligns with the University of Manchester’s Environmental Sustainability (ES) goals of fostering a circular economy and making a tangible social impact. This alignment has contributed to the University’s recognition as one of the top institutions for social and environmental impact globally (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024). This not only helps reduce food waste but also directly supports local communities. By transforming surplus food into opportunities for support and engagement, we demonstrate how small actions can lead to substantial social and environmental benefits. Importantly, our principles of environmental stewardship and community engagement are in perfect alignment with the University’s sustainability goals. 

Dunn School Green Group Manchester: https://www.neighbourly.com/project/662a2621624d303ac4b42b23 We are also excited to announce that we will soon create a project page on Neighbourly similar to this one to further engage volunteers and partners in our mission.

Recent Highlights: Exploring Castlefield Viaduct as a Model for Urban Green Space Development

Recently, Bee Circular UoM organised an educational visit to Castlefield Viaduct, an impressive example of how urban green spaces can be repurposed to promote sustainability and well-being. This trip was led by Haojun Shuai, Sustainability Champion and BSc Environmental Management student, and was attended by members of the Estate Sustainability team, including Izzy, Suzie, and Leilah, along with Anke and Maggy, HUMS and BMH Faculty ES leads. The group was guided by Beth, a master’s student in Museum Management from the School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures, who is currently managing the Castlefield Viaduct project with the National Trust. Beth’s expertise and enthusiasm illuminated how transforming neglected spaces into vibrant green areas can contribute to Manchester’s climate resilience and community engagement. Seeing a Humanities graduate contributing significantly to urban regeneration and sustainability was inspiring.

Integrating Climate Action Initiatives with Bee Circular UoM

This visit also aligned with other ongoing sustainability initiatives led by Anke and Maggy. Anke’s current UMRI-funded project, MossWorlds, considers the cultural and natural histories of urban moss and its potential role in climate change mitigation.  Maggy’s interest in moorland conservation further supports these efforts, emphasising the importance of protecting and restoring native habitats, which play a crucial role in carbon storage and biodiversity enhancement.

These projects, alongside Bee Circular UoM, reflect the University’s commitment to an integrated approach to sustainability. Together, we aim to highlight the role of nature-based solutions and promote using natural resources like moss and moorlands to tackle climate challenges.

6R for Sustainability: Review, Reduce, Reuse, Refill, Replace, and Recycle

Bee Circular UoM and the ES team also champion the 6R approach to managing plastic waste sustainably: Review, Reduce, Reuse, Refill, Replace, and Recycle. The initiative encourages everyone—students, staff, and community members—to adopt these principles daily and contribute to reducing plastic pollution on campus and beyond.

Get Involved: Join Us in Making a Difference

We are actively seeking support from students, staff, and the wider community to expand our impact:

  • Student Volunteers: Engage in our food collection and distribution efforts, develop sustainability skills, and contribute to meaningful community projects.
  • Staff and Faculty Support: Share your expertise, mentor student leaders, and connect us with university resources to amplify our mission.
  • Community and Corporate Partners: Collaborate on innovative projects to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce disposal costs, and contribute to our shared sustainability goals.

With your support, Bee Circular UoM and our broader ES initiatives aim to feature prominently in the University’s sustainability reports and increase visibility through channels such as the Environmental Sustainability newsletter. To explore ways you can contribute or volunteer, please get in touch with us at haojun.shuai@student.manchester.ac.uk. Together, we can foster a more sustainable community and create a greener, more resilient future—one meal, one project, and one green space at a time!

Dr Anke Bernau (Faculty of Humanities Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability)

 “This was a fantastic day out, organised by one of our current Humanities undergraduate students and recently-recruited Sustainability Champions, Haojun Shuai. A group of us - including Faculty Leads for Environmental Sustainability (ES), members of the central ES team, and students - met at the Castlefield Viaduct where Beth Talbot (another Hums student!) guided us through some of the historical, cultural and ecological aims of the project. We also heard about the central role that local communities played in its design and continue to play in its present and future. Do visit if you haven't had a chance to do so yet!

Haojun is also leading a fantastic initiative, called Bee Circular, about which more in his blog post below. The visit to the Viaduct, Beth's tour of it, and Haojun's Bee Circular project speak directly to some of the Faculty ES Strategy's key aims, especially around waste, biodiversity and engagement. It's inspiring to learn about and from their work”