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This is a record of the goals established under litter and waste and how they are being monitored and evaluated in Tramore Road Campus
1. Remove litter from campus grounds by organising regular litter pick-ups
When we first started the litter pick-up’s there was quite a lot of litter on campus. As can be seen from the photos below we gathered 8-10 bags each time. This was because there was a build-up of litter. Since then, the amount of litter has reduced, and the caretakers now carry out a litter pick-up on a regular basis. We also now have a walking path all around the perimeter of the college and this makes it very easy for us to monitor. There are still some places along the perimeter of the campus where litter is being throw in from outside so it’s just something we must be aware of. We decided against placing too many bins outside apart from the areas adjacent to the canteen and on the all-weather pitches.
2. Establish a baseline of waste and recycling going to Panda Waste for 12-month period.
Office staff analysed the invoices from Panda Waste from September 2021 to August 2022 and these are the results. We need to carry out the analysis again so that we can compare results. We have requested the data for the past 12 months from our Panda rep.
3. Remove bins from all classrooms and offices where they are not specifically required.
Siobhan McCarthy emailed all staff to let them know that we wanted to reduce the number of bins on campus and we would be removing bins from all classrooms unless there was a specific request and a valid reason. Our two main reasons for removing the bins were: • There would be fewer bin bags throw out each day (as bin bags were being removed even though they were only a few items inside) • To improve segregation. The bins in rooms were not marked waste or recycling and when we monitored what was in them, we realised that there was a mix of materials. We spoke to the caretaker who said because to the mix they had to treat these bags as waste. There were 82 bins located, now that number has been reduced to 52. We need to monitor this again at the start of each college year.
4. Re-organise bins stations in corridors and common areas, so that there are always two bins together. Install clear labelling to identify waste and recycling.
We asked our rep from Panda to come in and help come up with a good bin strategy. We also asked Dara Dever for advice, and he explained that “the best bins are the ones you have now” We could have spent thousands on new bins but instead we worked with what we have. Fergus Somers came up with a design and printed labels. Amandine LeBrun laminated the labels and put them in place. The caretakers keep an eye on the labels to make sure they stay in place and if needed they are replaced. Below is an example of how our bin stations are presented with a clear label on the bin itself and on the wall behind
5. Install 3 mains-fed water fountains in central areas to reduce the need for bottled water and the plastic waste associated.
The water fountains were installed by Glenpatrick Water in August 2022. They are located in the canteen, the gym, and near the college main entrance. We couldn’t get a water fountain that would record the usage, but we can see from our own observation that the fountains are in daily use. At induction students and staff are encouraged to bring their own water bottle and refill from the fountain rather than purchasing plastic bottles.
6. Purchase stainless steel water bottles and give these out as prizes to encourage use of re-usable bottles and reduce plastic waste.
100 Stainless steel water bottles were purchased and given to staff and students as prizes for various events. In 2024 we carried out a travel survey as part of the NTA Smarter Travel Campus program and 40 bottles were given as prizes to those who took part in the survey. We do need to order more bottles. At several meetings we have discussed whether we should provide all students with a water bottle at induction but from asking students most of them already have a water bottle in a style that they like so we don’t want to create more waste.
7. Install a composting unit so that all green material on-site can be broken down on-site into compost that can be used in the kitchen garden.
Composting has been carried out at the college for many years. However, since installing this unit we are able to manage the material in a more organised way. It’s also good to explain to students how compost is created. The compost unit accepts all the green material such as grass clippings, leaves etc. We have a shredder on site, so we can shred any hedge clipping and add them in too. Since the compost unit has been put in place we are able to compost the solid wood shavings from our furniture and carpentry courses. In the past this material would have gone into the waste bins. In the academic year 2023-2024 there were 34 bags of wood shavings diverted into the compost heap. That’s approximately 408kg’s of material saved from going into the waste bin. The carpentry and furniture students bring the bags to compost every few weeks. We also collect the spent coffee grounds and tea bags from the canteen. In 2023-2024 academic year horticulture students, Nuala Crotty, and Maryline Monpellier took the bucket of coffee grounds and tea bags out to the compost heap every week. The average weight each week was 2.5kg, giving us 75kg after 30 weeks. Below are some photographs of our compost unit during construction and in use
8. Organise a second-hand clothes event where staff and students are encouraged to drop off clothes that are then freely available to take away.
This idea came from Rose Ryan one of the cleaners at the college. Rose was the driving force behind this, and she got help from staff and students. Rose organised the first event in November 2022, and it was a great success. She followed with other events in October 2023 and February 2024. Rose contacted St. Vincent De Paul and they agreed to take away any clothes that were left over. These events helped to reduce clothes waste, encourage re-use of items, and raise awareness. The number of items of clothes donated and rehomed at these three events were 166, 140, and 134. That’s a total of 440 items of clothing re-homed.
9. Install a cup-washer in the canteen so that staff and students can was their reusable cups.
The issue of disposable cups in the canteen is one that has been discussed and nearly every green campus meeting! Many people use their own travel cups however one problem that was raised through the student council was there was no facility to wash your own cup in the canteen. Yvonne Crowley researched several options before settling on the desk-top cup washer from “Fresh Cup”. This was installed as a trail in March 2024, and it was a great success with staff and students so it was agreed with the principal that the college would purchase the machine, and it is now in the canteen permanently. On its own this measure won’t eliminate the use of disposable coffee cups but it has made it easier for people to bring their own cup. The green campus committee received very positive feedback following its introduction.
10 Have a Green Campus induction for all students/staff during the first two weeks of term in September.
One of the challenges that the Green Campus committee established early on was that because most students are only with us for one year it was difficult to implement our green charter policies. We have worked to overcome this by introducing a green campus induction for every student in the college during the first week if the year in September. This worked out well in 2023 and we will continue to do it every year. In September 2023 a member of the committee was assigned to take each class on a walk around our nature walk and explain how we promote biodiversity and how we manage litter and waste. Students were then invited to sign-up to our Green Charter and encouraged to become involved in the committee. In a slight change for 2024 course directors will be responsible for taking their won class on the induction tour and will be supported by a committee member only if necessary. On August 30th 2024 Daniel Crowley provided the green campus induction for all the staff and staff took a walk on the grounds. All staff then signed up to the green charter (sample sign-in sheet below).
11 Remove the use of disposable cups from the canteen.
Since 2021 we have worked to reduce the number of disposable coffee cups used in our canteen. The following measures have been implemented. • Ceramic cups are available for anyone eating in. • A discount of 20 cent is available for anyone using their own travel-mug rather than a disposable cup. • The introduction of the cup washer in Spring 2024 has made it easier to bring your own cup. However, we really want to eliminate disposable cups. • Students Ann Kelleher and Dan Twomey had a telephone meeting with “2gocups” in February 2024. • Fran Corcoran (administration) contacted Hopkins to get a quote on purchasing re-usable cups. • Yvonne Crowley contacted Fluid Branding to get quotes on travel cups. • Daniel Crowley contacted Fresh Cup for quotes on cups. Steps required: a Purchase a stock of reusable cups for use in canteen b Communicate policy on canteen cups to staff and students at induction The best solution it seems is that the college will but a stock of re-usable cups which the catering staff can wash and re-use. The cups supplied by Fresh Cup seem to be the best choice for this since they are well priced at 2.50/cup. Our ambition is that 2024-2025 will be the academic year that sees the end of disposable cups on campus
12. Begin segregating industrial compostable material away for the general waste bin
We have ordered a brown bin from our waste disposal company Panda. For the 2024-2025 year we are going to segregate industrial compostable materials for collection. Our canteen company, Panco use all compostable materials which they source from a supplier called Down 2 Earth. Compost bins will be placed in the canteen and staff room
13. Put sink in canteen and wastewater outlet. Help with washing cups etc.
Also allow people to empty drinks. Declan Browne (caretaker) has asked the plumber to give a price for installing a sink and wastewater disposable unit in the canteen. We have noticed quite a few cups and bottles being thrown into bins before the are empty and this leads to a build-up of liquid in the bags and sometimes spoils recycling materials. There is currently no sink in the canteen for customers to use.
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