Conservatorium of Music excels in minimising clean out waste
The Conservatorium of Music (aka the Con) has gone through a massive clean out effort lead by the Infrastructure Services and Development (ISD) team. Andrew Southorn and Greg Chandler, Maintenance team, have embraced the Towards Zero Waste to Landfill mantra and went above and beyond to ensure minimal waste went to landfill and delivering sustainable outcomes for the decommissioning of the complex. Andrew and Greg were supported by other ISD staff including Jacqueline Firth, Kirsty Cochrane and Tom Rigoli. The team first assessed the furniture and fittings for use in the UTAS Re-use Program, followed by engaging St. Vincent DePaul, City Mission and Hobart recycling (Tip Shop) to remove furniture from the building to be rehomed outside the University. Non-ferrous metals and steel shelving have been recycled or given away for reuse while other recyclables have been sent to Recayal and JJ Richard. Remaining items were left at the front or side of the building for public pick-up in the age-old Tasmanian tradition of waste not want not. Thank you ISD team for your mammoth efforts to ensure minimal waste to landfill. Supporting sustainability globally Virtual: Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE) 20–21 October ACTS partner organisation based in North America, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE’s) Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE) will be held virtually from 20-22 October 2020. The theme of this year’s event will be ‘Mobilizing for a Just Transition’, with discussions on the requirements for a holistic transition from an extractive to a regenerative economy amidst social and ecological crises. Check out your registration type (students get discounted entries) and register by the 31 July to get $25 off. Virtual: Global Climate 2020 16–20 November ACTS partner organisation based in the UK, EAUC – The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education is hosting Global Climate 2020 as a global collaboration bringing together the world’s best university and college students, academics, leaders and professionals to address the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
Furniture re-use at UTAS during lockdown
Photo: Andrew Southorn
Metal shelving after being dismantled for re-use or recycling.
Can you believe it!? It’s August already! What better time than now to have a look at the Re-Use Program’s performance data for the first half of 2020!? Although we have understandably seen the demand for items drop off due to the lockdown, it has been an otherwise strong year for the program. As we return to campus, we are sure the Re-Use Program will kick back into top gear once more. Check out the following metrics through to 30 June 2020: Total Savings (AUD): $61,376
Recycling truck picking up recyclables from the Con clean out. Photo: Andrew Southorn
Waste to Landfill avoided: 13,447kg
UCapture: Save the planet. Save Money
Carbon emissions avoided: 30,729kg
Fight climate change and help the University to maintain its carbon neutral certification – for free – with UCapture. Find out more in our Greenhouse gas emissions webpage.
Number of items Added: 400
StayingWarm inWinter at Home A digital resource for staff and students Written by Dr Phillipa Watson and Professor Elaine Stratford. Designed by Grace Johnston Staying warm in homes can be especially difficult if you have ineffective home heaters and/or insulation, live in a generally ‘cold’ dwelling and/or if you are balancing heating needs and energy costs. From years of research with Tasmanian households we understand that feeling cold can affect your state of mind, overall health, and productivity. So here are a few practical and low cost ways of staying warm this winter. View online
Number of items Claimed: 424
Number of New Members: 178
Later in July we will be adding some new items. Keep your eye out for the roundup emails as unfortunately it’s first in, best dressed. Remember though, if you’re after something specific, please make use of the ‘wishlist’ feature or feel free to email reuse.program@utas.edu. au directly. As budgets tighten and expenditure is re-assessed, it’s never been a better time to contribute excess furniture and/ or claim FREE second-hand items from the Re-Use Program for all your UTAS refurbishments or projects. Please recommend the Re-Use Program to all your colleagues. We hope all existing and new members can keep on claiming in the second half of the year. After all, ‘why buy new? when you can Re-Use’!
3
Sustainability Bulletin • Issue 15 July/August 2020
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker