Eco-Warriors Celebrate College’s Recycling Boost

City College Norwich’s Eco-Warriors – a committed group of staff and students working together to make the college more environmentally friendly – are celebrating a major increase in the college’s recycling rate.  Thanks to a new partnership with Pearsons (Thetford) Ltd, approximately 60 per cent of the college’s waste is now being recycled, up from 7.6 per cent a year ago.         

The Eco-Warriors, supported by the College’s dedicated Environment and Travel Officer, Natalie Halsall – winner of a 2010 Norwich Eco Award – are determined that this improvement in recycling is only just the beginning.  They are now looking at how more of the college’s other waste, such as food waste and building materials, can be recycled.

The group is also looking beyond recycling at how the college can be more sustainable in other aspects of its operation too, such as by landscaping its green spaces to support bio-diversity, using energy and water more efficiently, and by continuing to develop and promote green travel options.                    

The college decided to team up with Thetford-based waste management company Pearsons in order to reduce the amount of its general waste going to landfill.  Previously the college separated waste for recycling on campus, with separate bins for plastics, paper and cans.  However, with Pearsons able to recycle 85 per cent of general waste by sorting it off-site, the college has opted for this simpler and more cost-effective approach.  At a time when the public sector is being asked to find savings, this new approach will also result in a 20 per cent reduction in the college’s waste management costs.          

Dick Palmer, Principal, City College Norwich said: “Ensuring that the college is environmentally sustainable is an integral part of our Strategy.  Having our team of Eco-Warriors means that we have students and staff from across the college actively engaged with the sustainability agenda and driving it forward.  We are delighted to be working with Pearsons to help us recycle more and will continue to work with partners to identify new ways to further minimise our impact on the environment.”    

Jo Pearson, Managing Director of Pearsons (Thetford) Ltd, said: “We are extremely pleased to be a part of the developing green ventures at City College Norwich. The hard work of the Eco-Warriors and our success with an 85 per cent recycling rate means that much less waste will go to landfill and allows us to share some savings as well. We look forward to developing our relationship further and increasing environmental awareness and recycling throughout the college campus and further afield.”