Unitec Awarded Trailblazer Not For Profit Title

Unitec Awarded Trailblazer Not For Profit Title

Unitec wins the National Sustainable Business Trailblazer Not For Profit Award!

The official 2012 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards, which was held last night at The Cloud, Auckland, proved memorable for Unitec as it was awarded the Trailblazer Not For Profit title.

The Sustainable Business Network looks for organisations which show excellence in sustainable business practices. What is notable about Unitec is the breadth of activity going on across its three campuses.

"This is not about one person doing something," says Unitec's Manager of Environmental Sustainability, Carolyn Cox. "Unitec has over 160 staff and student eco-reps who have put so much passion into a huge range of projects over the last year and a half since we launched our Environmental Sustainability Strategy and we are just thrilled that they have all been recognised with this Award!"

Sustainability projects that are underway involve staff, students and researchers across Unitec. During the last year Unitec became the first NZ tertiary institute to sign the UN Commitment to Sustainable Practices of Higher Education Institutions, developed an on-line Environmental Management System and initiated activities such as Bike Wise month and car pooling services.

Greening the campus has also been a key part of Unitec's environmental strategy. "1,600 native plants were planted as the first stage of restoring the Mt Albert campus Wairaka Stream," says Carolyn. "Staff mini bins, double sided printing, establishing a sustainable arboretum and food scraps composting are just some of the initiatives that have been put in place."

The use of green building practices in the new whare kai, plus worm farms at the Waitakere and Albany campuses and the two on-site childcare centres in Mt Albert, have all reinforced Unitec's commitment to sustainability on campus.

Unitec was commended for its innovative leadership role, which showcases how to balance social, environmental and professional goals. Its values are reflected in how staff engage and communicate with students and the community, how they behave and interact with stakeholders, and their partnerships with other institutions and organisations.

Unitec maintains its commitment to integrating sustainability across all programmes offered to students and to get students involved on campus where they can have the opportunity to experience sustainable environmental practices and solutions, and become people who produce positive benefits through their everyday actions.

-Ends-

© Scoop Media