The staff and students benefit the local and wider community by recycling printer cartridges and mobile phones to raise money for Concern and the Jack and Jill Foundation. They also conduct regular litter collections and members of the campus Kayak Club carry out clean-ups on the Castlebar River. “The committee forged strong links with community groups including Castlebar Tidy Towns and Smarter Travel Castlebar” outlines Ms Lynda Huxley, Chairperson of the Green-Campus Committee at GMIT Castlebar.

Dr Barbara Burns, Head of GMIT Castlebar, says: “The Green-Campus Programme has significantly contributed to the learning environment, the overall spirit and the effective operation of the campus. Curriculum links between the Green-Campus Programme and courses taught at GMIT Castlebar have led students to examine transport patterns, prepare five year management plans for Green-Campus at GMIT and conduct a preliminary Building Energy Rating survey of the campus.”

Director of An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit, Mrs Patricia Oliver, paid tribute to GMIT Castlebar: “The successful implementation of the seven steps of the Programme and the partnership which has been formed by the GMIT Castlebar Green-Campus Committee is unique in many respects and will, I am sure, be an example and inspiration to many more third-level institutions not only in Ireland but throughout the entire network of countries.”

Ms Huxley continues: “Receiving this award is a fantastic milestone but it’s also a springboard for future development of green initiatives in GMIT Castlebar.” The Green-Campus Committee continues to work on the Programme and is currently focusing on initiatives under the themes of biodiversity and transport.