News
University makes the grade and becomes first Welsh public sector Green Star
1 January 2009
University of Wales, Newport, has been named as the first ‘Green Star’ of the Welsh public sector after showing slick thinking with their strategies to minimise waste and benefit the environment.
The University saw off competition to become the December ‘face’ of Envirowise Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign which is encouraging organisations in the sector to reduce their use of resources in the work place.
The University has been adventurous in its approach to reducing waste and was the first university in the UK to introduce an on-site plant for transforming waste cooking oil into an eco-friendly biodiesel which powers campus vehicles.
This produces less carbon dioxide than standard diesel and also reduces the amount of waste cooking oil sent to landfill. It’s just one of the environmentally friendly measures at the University has in place, including vast recycling facilities and the use of energy efficiency systems and rainwater recycling.
An award of £5000 from the Welsh Assembly Governments Public Sector Reuse and Recycling Equipment Fund has also been put to good use to purchase a wood chipper for garden waste.
University of Wales, Newport, Environmental Officer Matthew Bellamy said: “Producing our own bio-diesel was seen as ambitious by some but we were confident it was a project worth doing. The results have been staggering, both environmentally and financially. The project has also injected real interest in waste management at the University which has helped engaged staff and students in other waste management projects we’re carrying out.”
The Envirowise Public Sector Waste Minimisation Campaign is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Ann Stevenson, Envirowise public sector programme director in Wales, said: “We want to highlight the good work that has been done by people or teams in the public sector to reduce waste and help their organisation save money and resource. There are many who have already changed the way they work to avoid creating waste and reduced environmental impact in the process and University of Wales, Newport, is a fantastic example of one of these Green Stars.”
She added: “We’re looking for people to share their successes and will select a new Green Star each month to be the face of our campaign. If you, or someone you know, are making a positive difference in your organisation then get in touch. We want to know about what’s going on get more public sector organisations following the examples that are being set.”
More information on the Green Starts scheme and an application form can be found at http://walespublicsector.envirowise.gov.uk/cms/green-stars/
