21 Feb, 2010 By Mary
UCC world’s first university to get Green Flag award

The award was presented for the Green Campus initiative which in the past three years has seen the university save €300,000 in waste management costs, by reducing waste to landfill by nearly 400 tonnes and improving recycling from 21% to 60%.

Furthermore, UCC has conserved almost enough water this year to fill the equivalent of the Lough in the city. The award was presented yesterday by Minister John Gormley, on behalf of An Taisce, to UCC president Dr Michael Murphy

In addition to staff recycling systems that previously existed, new recycling facilities for students are now available in front of the lecture halls, and in the canteens where staff are trained in minimising waste.

Students in lecture theatres and laboratories are alerted to turn off lights and electrical equipment.

College maintenance vehicles are now running on biodiesel and carpooling has been introduced to facilitate lifts to and from campus.

“It is quite a leap, transforming the Green Schools programme, geared for the typical school of a few hundred students, to a complex campus of 130 acres, 16,000 students and almost 3,000 staff,” Dr Michael John O’Mahony of An Taisce said.

Dr Murphy said it is a source of great pride to the university, its staff and its students, that UCC has become the first third-level institution in the world to be awarded the designation.

Source: Irish Examiner Saturday, February 20, 2010

20 Oct, 2009 By Mary
RTÉs about the house – energy upgrades

If you missed “About the House” tonight with Duncan then here is what happened:

This week, Duncan is in Rahan, Co Offaly to visit a couple who have just won a competition to upgrade their home. Aidan and Martina Grennan live in a cold draughty bungalow which was built 40 years ago.    Martina suffers from a debilitating illness fibromyalgia and also asthma  which is not helped by dampness, humidity and poor ventilation in their home
Now they have the chance to completely transform the comfort of their home by giving it the energy upgrade that it really needs. Duncan talks to them about their plans to improve their home and the difference it will make to their lives.


Martin English from NSAI talks to Duncan about the importance of using quality certified insulation products.

Tania visits a small terraced home in Dublin 8 which has been completely transformed by the addition of a beautiful contemporary extension. Not only has this house been aesthetically changed, but an eco friendly renovation has meant that it has gone from a G to a B1 BER rating.

Source: http://www.rte.ie/tv/aboutthehouse/thisweek.html

It is great to see that they are showing so many renewable energy products and Eco houses on the series this year!