Virgin Media O2 is set to create a £500,000 ‘Eco Fund’ in partnership with environmental charity, Hubbub, to support community groups across the country run projects which encourage sustainable living.
The aim of the eco campaign is to help address the climate crisis and empower people to do at least one thing to protect the planet. Applications for grants will open later this year.
The announcement came as Virgin Media O2 launched its wider eco campaign, Do One More Thing, which will involve several initiatives that intend to raise awareness of consumer behaviour’s impact on the planet. The company also said it was ramping up its efforts to tackle the rising problem of e-waste in society.
This week Virgin Media O2 announced results of research it commissioned which suggested the stigma of buying used goods is now a thing of the past, with nine in ten consumers now happy to shop second hand.
With more people wanting to lead greener lives, the poll found almost half of Brits are more likely to purchase pre-owned items now than five years ago, with two-thirds happy to buy used or refurbished mobile phones – one of the most sought-after second-hand items available.
A further three in ten respondents said they enjoy buying pre-loved clothing, while 35% seek out retro furniture, and 24% like sourcing old homeware goods. Almost eight in ten people polled noted that shopping second-hand is one easy step they can take to be kinder to the planet.
Nicola Green, chief communications and corporate affairs officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “With our Do One Thing campaign, we want to inspire everyone to make changes to their lifestyles – big or small – to help protect the planet.
“We’re cutting carbon faster, powering tech of the future to create cleaner towns and cities, helping to tackle e-waste, and donating devices and data to people in need so everyone can live in a better, more connected, and greener world.”
The Do One Thing campaign is backed by Virgin Media O2’s new sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan.
As part of the eco campaign, the company is establishing a Youth Advisory Council – made up of Gen Z activists – to advise the company on the impacts of the climate crisis on young people. The organisation will enable Virgin Media O2 to better understand the views of young people, and work with them to address major matters in society.
[Image credit: Virgin Media O2]
