Our vision: Trinity College will educate leaders for a sustainable future, and lead by example.
1. Taking responsibility for a sustainable College
Trinity is focusing on reducing its carbon footprint, reducing water usage and waste, improving recycling, and introducing a sustainable purchasing policy.
The College has set challenging targets that include:
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reduce carbon emission from 2009 levels by 50 per cent by 2022
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continue to reduce water usage (26 per cent reduction between 2006-09) to 120 litres per person per day on Trinity’s Parkville campus (reduction of 11.5 per cent)
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reduce water by 15 per cent by 2014 for other Trinity College campuses reduce total water from 2009 levels by 15 per cent by 2014
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increase the recycling rate to 65 per cent by 2014
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create a sustainable purchasing policy and incorporate this into the College’s purchase practices.
Major projects completed:
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underground water tanks providing capacity for harvesting 800,000 litres of rainwater
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check-flow meters installed to track electricity consumption
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elimination of single flush toilets across the College
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Bokashi waste recycling system in the College kitchen
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clothes horses provided as standard to students as part of new refurbishment program
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replacing insulation in buildings
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community gardens in Foundation Studies and the residential College
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rolling out energy efficient lighting
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use of energy efficient appliances
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new co-mingle waste system implemented in student corridors and across the grounds.
Ongoing actions:
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inter-building competitions in the residential College covering electricity, water and waste
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student orientation programs
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double glazing of student rooms as part of amenities refurbishment
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hydronic heating in Jeopardy and other buildings
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feasibility student for photovoltaic cells using solar preheating of hot water systems
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water tanks in some Foundation Studies premises.
2. Educating and inspiring our community
In 2010 education initiatives included the introduction of an environmental activism tutorial in the residential College, increased focus on sustainability in the various orientation programs and literature delivered across the College, and engagement activities such as Earth Hour, Clean up Australia and the Sustainability Festival.
3. Partnering with others
As a large college on a large university campus, Trinity can achieve a lot in moving towards sustainability, but by joining in and nurturing the efforts of like-minded people and organisations, we can magnify this impact. Our greatest contribution to sustainability is not just in our own efforts, but the efforts we inspire in others.
Trinity has begun working with a range of educational and other community organisations. These include the University of Melbourne, the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), the Victorian Association for Environmental Education (VAEE), the Sustainable Living Festival, and our large Trinity alumni network which involves environmental debate leaders such as Ross Garnaut.
Read more about the College's Sustainability Plan
Support planitgreen
Watch a video of the planitgreen launch event on 17 March 2010
Trinity College Environmental Assessment Audit Report
Smells like green spirit
