World First for UCC as Students raise Green Flag

[Chris P]

University College Cork (UCC) has become the first 3rd level educational institution in the world to be accredited with the prestigious international ‘Green Flag’ award.

The award, presented by Minister John Gormley, on behalf of An Taisce, to UCC President Dr Michael Murphy, is a direct result of the Green-Campus programme, a student-led initiative undertaken by UCC students and staff over the last 3 years.

The Green-Campus programme, operated in Ireland by An Taisce, has seen the University save €300,000 in waste management costs, reduce waste to landfill by nearly 400 tonnes and improve recycling from 21% to 60%. Furthermore, UCC has conserved almost enough water this year to fill the equivalent of the Lough of Cork.

Details...here:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/mandc/news/fullstory,95898,en.html

Pictured raising the Green Flag were L-R: Mr Jan Eriksen, President, Foundation for Environmental Education, students Mirjam Hirzel, Hazel Smyth, Darren Reidy, Minister John Gormley, Mr Charles Stanley-Smith, Chairman, An Taisce, Maria Kirrane, Dr Michael Murphy, President, UCC and Mr Mark Poland, Director of Buildings & Estates, UCC.