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Welsh university one of the greenest

Posted: 09/11/2007

Newport in Gwent is the UK’s greenest city, according to a recent report from environmental campaign group WWF, which found Newport uses fewer natural resources than any other urban centre. Addressing environmental issues is also a top priority with the city’s university.

The University of Wales, Newport, was listed as one of the most environmentally aware in a Green University Guide published by the Times Higher Educational Supplement earlier this year.

Newport was the first university in the UK to set up an on-site plant for turning waste cooking oil into eco-friendly biodiesel.

It pioneered the process of recycling a waste product into a fuel that powers many campus maintenance vehicles and machinery and produces less carbon dioxide than standard diesel.

University environmental officer Matthew Bellamy said, “The biodiesel production facility was the latest in a series of environmentally friendly measures at the university.

“We’re constantly adding energy efficiency measures such as passive infra red sensors to turn the lights on and off when an area is occupied and urinal flush controls to save water.

“Eco-friendly design features were vitally important when we were planning the new Kegie Building, which was opened this year to provide more teaching space.

“The south facing side of the building is fitted with Brise Soleil shades that prevent heat gain and eliminate the need for mechanical cooling in the building, increasing comfort levels and energy efficiency during the summer months.

“The rainwater that falls onto the roof is collected in a tank in the basement of the building and recycled to flush the toilets. In addition, the heating in the building is an efficient, state-of-the-art system that uses the least amount of energy possible.”

Last summer a company owned and run by Newport business graduate Steve Berrow fuelled all the stage lighting, sound, BBC outside broadcast cameras and satellite uplinks for the Live Earth Concert, the first totally green-powered concert ever.

Steve won an Entrepreneur of the Year award for his company, Bio Tech Oils UK, which is based in Tredegar and was one of the first companies to bring bio-diesel to Wales on a commercial basis.

ic Wales  
 

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