The University of Aberdeen has been named as a joint runner-up in a UK-wide competition highlighting the environmental efforts being carried out by companies and organisations of all types and sizes.
The University was runner-up in the category ‘Most sustainable public sector organisation – education’ in the 2010 Sustainable facilities Management Awards.
Aberdeen was recognised for the creation of its Able campaign, designed to raise awareness of how individuals in the organisation can ‘do their bit’ to reduce the University’s carbon footprint.
The campaign has seen the successful introduction of initiatives such as the Signposting Sustainability days and creation of Environmental Champions.
The University is also addressing sustainability through the adoption of numerous policies covering utilities, waste, transport, fairtrade, sustainable procurement and sustainable building design.
Examples to date include the installation of a combined heat and power plant that provides electricity and heat to the main campus, the installation of a ground source heat pump at the Oceanlab II building, and the use of rainwater harvesting in the Suttie Centre.
The University has also invested in a replacement window programme and new thermostatic valves for radiators, the use of electrical vehicles for ground maintenance and the use of some organic based fertilisers for sports pitches.
Additional recycling services have been provided for food and drinks cans, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, scrap metal, batteries, chemicals, wood and garden waste, and bicycle storage areas have also been created.
Amy Gray, Waste and Environmental Manger for the University, said: “The University of Aberdeen is deeply engaged in the sustainability agenda and we are delighted to have been named as a runner-up in the Most Sustainable Public Sector – Education category of the 2010 Sustainable Facilities Management Awards.
“The University has introduced a wide range of sustainable initiatives and all these measures will be making an impact on reducing our carbon emissions and cutting costs.
“Through the Able campaign we hope to further raise awareness of the steps that can be taken to improve sustainability.”
For further details of the award please click on the following link SFM Awards 2010