Reflecting on Sustainability Week 2025 at Morley College London

This week Morley College London celebrated Sustainability Week across all centres. From a vintage fair to creative workshops and thinking about fashion with a purpose, Sustainability Week 2025 brought together students and staff and in a celebration of environmental awareness, responsibility and community-led action.

This year’s programme offered a wide range of free events, activities and initiatives designed to inspire sustainable thinking and practical change – showing that small, everyday choices can make a difference when we act together.

Highlights from the week

Vintage fair 

The main hall at the North Kensington Centre was transformed into a lively vintage fashion fair, offering a chance to donate or pick up pre-loved clothing. The event highlighted the environmental benefits of extending the life cycle of garments and embracing second-hand fashion. It was so successful the fair ran for a second day, which was not planned!

Book swap at Waterloo

Students and staff engaged in a mini circular economy by exchanging their favourite reads in the Waterloo foyer, giving books a second life and encouraging low-impact activities.

Make a sketchbook from recycled materials

At Waterloo, our staff got hands-on with recycled materials, crafting unique and personal sketchbooks with tutors Michelle and Elaine.

David Ogunyemi, Morley’s very own graphic designer, attended the workshop, 

“I really enjoyed the recyclable workshop held by Elaine and Michelle. There were some great examples they shared using different recyclable materials from coffee packaging, to envelopes and card. I thoroughly enjoyed using the Japanese binding technique to make my sketchbook out of recyclable paper.”

Fashion with purpose at Chelsea

The Chelsea Centre hosted a clothing sale featuring donated garments and a display of redesigned pieces by Level 3 Fashion students, created in collaboration with Oxfam. Any unsold items were donated to charity, reinforcing the values of reuse and waste reduction.

Roof upgrade at Waterloo

Alongside Sustainability Week activities, Morley College London continues to embed sustainability into its infrastructure with the ongoing Waterloo Refurbishment Project, including the installation of a new, energy-efficient roof system. 

The works involve fitting a waterproofing system, featuring multiple layers of reinforced membranes applied by torch methods, ensuring durability and weather resistance.

The roof includes thermal insulation designed to achieve the target “U Value”, enhancing the building’s energy efficiency by significantly reducing heat loss. This upgrade reflects Morley’s long-term commitment to achieving net zero by 2040 by reducing the building’s carbon footprint while improving comfort for staff and students.

Sustainability is a journey

Throughout the week, a digital booklet guided participants through the programme and

 featured staff sustainability tips – from cycling to work to using reusable containers – reinforcing the idea that sustainable living is a journey, not a destination.

As the week comes to a close, Morley extends a thank you to everyone who took part, contributed ideas, or made a sustainable switch – big or small. Your commitment is what drives change. Let’s keep up the momentum and continue exploring how we can support our planet and build a greener tomorrow!