Fifty University departments took part in the scheme, either jointly or on their own, to see which could be the greenest. Their combined efforts resulted in about 1,350 sustainability actions being taken across the University.
The winning departments, announced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Clarke, at an awards ceremony in the Wills Memorial Building, are:
Platinum Award (overall winner)
- A joint team of the Estates Administration Office, Space and Asset Management and Procurement.
Gold Awards
- The Policy Press
- The Fifth Floor of Senate House (consisting of five teams including the Public Relations Office and the Vice Chancellors Office)
- The Hawthorns
Three further departments got a ‘Working Towards’ Award, six received a Bronze Award, 14 received a ‘Bronze plus’ Award and 11 departments received a Silver Award. Each department was presented with an award made from recycled plastic or glass.
Six special awards were given to departments that took additional actions outside of the scheme, such as greening other departments and getting students involved. Actions here included running vehicles on biofuel (chip fat), measuring carbon footprints and installing wormeries for organic waste disposal.
This year’s criteria were tougher than those in 2009, and there was greater competition between departments. However, all departments either scored higher than last year or achieved a higher award level.