Newport's university strives for green title (From South Wales Argus)

Newport's university strives for green title

7:35pm Thursday 27th December 2007

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WHILE Newport was this year afforded the accolade of being the UK's greenest city, its university is striving for the same recognition among universities.

It was ranked as the 2nd greenest university in Wales and number 22 out of 105 in the UK in a Times Higher Education supplement looking at performance during 2006-2007.

The University of Wales, Newport environmental officer Matthew Bellamy said: "We are always striving to improve our green credentials.

"We were the first university in the UK to set up an on-site plant for turning waste cooking oil into eco-friendly biodiesel, pioneering the environmentally friendly process of recycling a waste product into a fuel.

"We started off by recycling paper in 2003 and have gradually increased the efforts, encouraging more and more items."

Things have really taken off in the past year with recycling figures released for its efforts since September 2006.

In total 30 tonnes of cardboard, 20 tonnes of paper, 12 tonnes of glass bottles, 12 tonnes of wood and 10 tonnes of metal were collected from recycling bins dotted around its campuses.

The bio diesel which is produced from things such as chip fat is currently used to power tractors, lawnmowers and mini vans at the Caerleon campus with plans to expand this to buses which transport students between the university campuses at Caerleon and Alt yr Yn.

Rain water collected on the roof is used to flush toilets and the Kegie Building is fitted with a number of eco-friendly design features.

"I think the university has played its part in Newport's success and with students keen to recycle more and more waste streams, our succes over the last year should continue well into 2008," added Mr Bellamy.

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