GMIT Castlebar is the first Institute of Technology campus in Ireland to be awarded a Green Flag. The award follows three years of diligent work undertaken by students and staff since commencing the Green-Campus Programme in 2008.
The Green-Campus Programme is an international environmental education and award scheme that promotes long term, whole college action for the environment.
The Green-Campus Programme, operated in Ireland by An Taisce, on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education has seen GMIT Castlebar establish an environmental committee and make substantial changes in waste, energy and water management.. Some notable achievements include: a 60% reduction in paper use, and diversion of a minimum of 12 tonnes of waste from landfill through recycling and composting. An estimated 72 tonnes per year of CO2 are being saved through improved energy initiatives and water conservation measures are saving almost 1,000 litres of water per day.
The staff and students benefit the local and wider community by recycling printer cartridges and mobile phones to raise money for Concern and the Jack and Jill Foundation. They also conduct regular litter collections and members of the campus Kayak Club carry out clean-ups on the Castlebar River.
CAPTION:
Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and Charles Stanley-Smith, chairman of An Taisce raise the Green Flag at the GMIT Campus in Castlebar with students and staff.