In the 21st century, materialism is heavily ingrained into our society. Clothing trends change on a seasonal basis and electronic gadgets are constantly being updated and improved, with new models of some of our best-known brands regularly being released. Ever improving technology and aesthetics, along with wide spread advertising across all media platforms, have contributed massively to society’s insatiable demand for the latest trends. However, do we really understand where our gadgets, clothes and electronics come from?

Determining the environmental impact of your degree course can be tough – between greenwashing, behind-the-scenes investments and dodgy supply chains, it can be really hard to know how Green your University really is. That’s why I find the People & Planet University League Table so informative – they ask the big questions, and crunch the big data, then rank Universities accordingly on several different criteria including Environmental Policy, Waste & Recycling, Education and Ethical investment.

UNISON becomes first UK Trade Union to challenge sweatshops in their own supply chain, Who will be next?

Public service union UNISON  became the first trade union in the UK to ensure the electronics they purchase are independently monitored for workers’ rights violations. UNISON joins a growing number of institutions in Europe that have affiliated to Electronics Watch, an independent monitoring organisation that assists institutions in the public sector to improve pay and conditions for those who manufacture the goods they buy.