A further education college in Ceredigion has won a prestigious new sustainable development award in recognition of its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment.
Coleg Ceredigion has been working with Envirowise to update its environmental policy and introduce cost savings. As a result of a range of successful measures suggested by the organisation, the college was presented with the first ever fforwm Award for Sustainable Development as part of the fforwm Annual Awards held last month in North Wales. The awards recognise outstanding achievement in sustainability in the further education sector in Wales.
The college, which has campuses in both Aberystwyth and Cardigan, first called upon the services of Envirowise eighteen months ago when it decided to update its environmental policy. A consultant spent three days at the college on a 'Design Track' visit*, where he conducted an audit of its environmental procedures and suggested improvements to help the college reduce its impact on the environment.
One of the first things to be identified was the college's understandably high use of paper. As a result of the Design Track recommendations, Coleg Ceredigion installed printer analysis software to monitor paper use by departments and students.
Dave Reed, head of estates and technical services at Coleg Ceredigion said: "Since we started the paper monitoring we've been able to cut our refuse collection by about 25 per cent. We allocate lecturers and students a set number of pages a term and advise them that if they go over the allocation then they may have to pay for it. We've even been naming and shaming the teaching staff!
"Envirowise really started the ball rolling and gave us all some extremely useful prompts. I was pleasantly surprised by everybody's enthusiasm to see environmental improvements. Students now come to me now to suggest ideas, which is great."
The college, which has also introduced recycling schemes and encourages students to bring in recycling from home, was also awarded an enterprise grant to help with the cost of improvements. This enabled them to install the first solar powered wood drying kiln in Wales at their campus in Cardigan. It not only helps the environment and cuts fuel costs but also improves the quality of the wood.
The college is committed to sharing its good practice with the rest of the sector and is keen to recommend Envirowise to other colleges so that they can follow in its footsteps. Sustainability and environment management are now included in all lesson preparation and curriculum areas and Coleg Ceredigion has been awarded grant funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to help spread best practice to other institutions.
Sustainable development is a key strategic concern for the National Assembly for Wales through its Sustainable Development Scheme. Coleg Ceredigion is keen to play its part in helping to increase understanding among young people.
Looking to the future, the colleg's improvements are set to continue. The establishment's Aberystwyth campus is next in line as it looks at ways to reduce fuel and water consumption. Coleg Ceredigion is also looking forward to opening its new Centre for Visual and Performing Arts in October. Designed to be environmentally sustainable, the building has been entirely constructed from locally sourced materials.
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Notes to Editors
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses.
This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact. Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits* delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save over £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit the Envirowise website or call 0800 585 794.
fforwm is the national organisation representing all 25 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. It is an educational charity and a company limited by guarantee. fforwm's Board comprises college principals and chairs of corporations, appointed by member colleges. It provides a range of services to its members including networks, conferences, research, consultancy and the sharing of good practice. It also works closely with a wide range of partners in post-16 education and training. Through fforwm, colleges are represented on various committees, working parties and other groups influencing and shaping policy in post-16 education and life-long learning. For further information about fforwm and the colleges it represents, visit the FForwm website.
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley. Media contacts: Kathryn Squires or Gemma Coombs on 0117 929 2311 or email gemmac@harrisoncowley.com.
* Please note that different services are available in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – please contact our Advice Line on 0800 585 794 for more information on whether you are eligible for a site visit.