THRIVE ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 2024 25 The food gardens exemplify our commitment to sustainability in several crucial ways. They promote environmental stewardship by reducing reliance on mass-produced, often environmentally damaging agricultural practices. By growing and having easy access our own produce on campus, we minimize transportation emissions and decrease food waste, contributing to a more sustainable food system overall. udge for the business pitch component of the initiative. Comprehensive Recycling The idea of sorting waste materials with the aim of recycling is no longer new. Most organisations have recycling embedded in their processes in one way. When we talk about comprehensive recycling in our kitchens – we mean business. We are intentional about ensuring that waste materials, including glass, plastic and paper are clearly marked in individual bins and are collected on a weekly basis for further processing. Paper is collected and graded in line with recycling ethos. Moreover, we have started a program where even our oil recycled, therefore removing any chance of spillage into natural water sources and contributing to eco-upliftment. Linking back to our collaboration with the food gardens all our food waste from the main kitchen is collected on a weekly basis and returned back to the gardens to be used as compost, therefore minimizing our carbon footprint. Notwithstanding our efforts in recycling, our facilities have further adopted the use of biodegradable food takeaway containers, which assists in limiting the negative environmental impact associated with single-use plastics and other non-compostable materials. Smart Lighting and Automation Energy consumption is another area of focus. In collaboration with the maintenance team we are progressively installing LED lighting and automated systems to reduce energy consumption, as well as integrating more digital systems for operations such as communications, menu displays and reservations. Teaching students to use energy-efficient technologies prepares them for sustainability-focussed roles in the field. Stakeholder Support Putting sustainability at the heart of what we do is not only pivotal in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but it is also game-changing in terms of the level of innovation, collegiality and learning that it fosters. As we look ahead, we will continue to explore potential partnerships and collaborations to expand our impact the impact of our efforts. As all our collaborations on these sustainability projects demonstrate: together, we can continue to grow, learn, and innovate, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. Food scraps recycling
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