Testing Warwick Green Rewards for a week: Is it worth it?

In a new initiative launched to increase climate and sustainability awareness, the University of Warwick has created a brand-new app. Entitled ‘Warwick Green Rewards’, and available to download for free on the App Store, the app rewards students for submitting their sustainability awareness via a points system. Since being a bit of a Twitter fiend, I saw this app being advertised recently, and was shocked to see it was originally launched in October 2024. Having spoken with my peers, it was blatantly obvious that many students were unaware of this app, and especially the rewards up for grabs. As a result, I have decided to test out this app and all its features, and report back on whether ‘Warwick Green Rewards,’ is worth it.

“If you become a dedicated user of Warwick Green Rewards for a year, you could earn up to £120 worth of vouchers: who knew sustainability was so rewarding!”

Students are awarded a range of points based upon the sustainable activities they complete throughout the week. For example, by clicking on the activity panel, students can be rewarded 10 green points per mile for journey sharing onto campus, as well as 50 green points for completing the ‘Energy Saving Quiz’. The number of points you can receive ranges upon the level of commitment to
sustainability, with activities such as reporting your recycling, and reducing your water usage, contributing to more points. As a starting point, users can gain 1000 points by referring friends, allowing you to track your progress by steadily climbing up the leaderboard. Users equally have the ability to record their sustainability efforts throughout the week in an interactive diary format, completed through the bottom panel ‘Record’ feature. This week, having filled in the quiz, selecting various options such as ‘how many times I used a reusable water bottle, or how many electrical items I switched off, I managed to collect 500 points, all adding to my total. You can also opt in to various challenges: having opted in to track my shared commutes this week, I was able to collect extra points.

“I do absolutely recommend students to get this app.”

However, the true excitement of the app is revealed in its reward scheme. On a monthly basis, users are entered into a raffle to win vouchers, with the app giving away twelve £10 vouchers to users who have earned above 2,500 green points, and sixteen £5 vouchers for those who have earned between 2,000 and 2,500 green points. Included in the choice of vouchers is Food and Drink on Campus, Greggs, Go Ape and even John Lewis. To the excitement of myself earlier this week, having used the app fairly briefly, I earned a reward of a £5 voucher. If you become a dedicated user of Warwick Green Rewards for a year, you could earn up to £120 worth of vouchers: who knew sustainability was so rewarding!

Overall, whilst this app is beneficial for students, especially those driven by sustainability on campus, it is clear this app is in its infancy. Whilst the tracking element is really useful to see your points go up, it is often hard to gauge how much progress you are  making, especially as the points system doesn’t seem to sync very quickly. However, I do absolutely recommend students to get this app. Whether you use it occasionally, or every day, there is something very satisfying about completing the quizzes, activities, and generally thinking about your sustainability on a daily basis. And if you are super lucky, you might even earn yourself a spendable voucher like me! Give it a shot, you definitely won’t be disappointed.