Green Initiatives
Sustainability Statement
CIS Abroad is dedicated to promoting and enacting sustainability initiatives. We believe that by doing our part in educating our participants and employees on green measures we can help keep the Earth around us clean. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that CIS Abroad has formed a sustainability committee known as “Green Flags.” We are joining many other organizations in the education abroad field who are working to prioritize sustainability and climate action in our operations and programming abroad. Learn more about it here!
Sustainability in Local Activities
When possible we will use local transportation for our excursions. We also select cafes and restaurants that have environmental credentials.
Killarney, where we will visit, has a Conscious Cup Campaign where you can use your own cup in coffee in most cafes.
Living Green
Since first achieving Green Campus accreditation for Energy, Biodiversity and Travel and Transport in 2015, the Buildings and Estates department in University of Limerick, together with its many supporters amongst the campus community has been working resolutely to retain it. Every three years Green Campus accredited institutions are required to undergo a full reaccreditation assessment in order to maintain their Green Campus accreditation. In 2018 UL successfully underwent a full reaccreditation assessment as well as adding Waste and Green ICT to their list of accredited themes. Achieving the Green ICT accreditation saw Buildings and Estates partnering primarily with academia and ITD to refine the processes and procedures to safely dispose of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in addition to making energy savings in server rooms. Achieving Green Campus accreditation for Waste saw amongst other things the establishment of a Waste Management group within Buildings and Estates, the roll-out of initiatives aimed at preventing waste (e.g. installation of fit-for-purpose water bottle refill stations), improvements to waste collection and segregation processes, and improved data collection on waste.
Recycling
Ireland has a good public recycling system as recycling is mandatory in Ireland. Luckily, recycling is very easy and convenient.
Most municipalities separate recyclables into plastics, metals, glass, paper, and compostable organic material. Oftentimes, you will see several of these categories combined in one clearly labeled container.
Recycling in your respective housing will be explained to you and you will be expected to sort your trash into different bins for recycling and bring it to the appropriate bin.
Shopping
There are many supermarkets to choose from in Limerick for groceries. The larger ones are Dunnes Stores, and Tesco. Cheaper options would be Aldi and Lidl - they are particularly good for fresh produce but would have a smaller selection of goods. There are stores located near the campus that are easily accessible by bus. Dunnes and Tesco offer a delivery service also if you are buying a large amount.
For household goods Penneys or Guineys are a cheap option - both found in the city center.
Public Transportation
University of Limerick President Professor Kerstin Mey has launched a new bike rental scheme in a bid to encourage more students to use sustainable and active travel when traveling to and from campus.
The fleet of 78 bikes are available at a cost of €30 per semester. Two styles of bike are available: Bimas Transporter Dutch-style bikes, which offer greater utility with more storage space, and a Raleigh Pioneer, which is a traditional commuter-style bike.
Limerick City is fast becoming one of the most progressive Irish cities in the field of healthier, more sustainable travel and was awarded the title of Ireland's first Smarter Travel Demonstration City in a national competition.
City buses in Ireland are changing from petrol or diesel engines to electric so hopefully in the near future all buses will be electric.
Water Consumption
Taking shorter showers at home can help conserve water, an essential resource, without compromising personal hygiene. Energy and water are very expensive in Ireland, and overall in Europe. It's important to be mindful of the following:
- Turn off lights whenever you’re not home.
- Turn off the heating when you’re not home.
- The length of time you take a shower.
- Use a reusable bag when shopping! Saves on plastic.
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you. Tap water is drinkable all over Europe and you can refill your water bottle in many places
- Eat in instead of take away to avoid containers.
Green Campus
In UL Campus Life Services aims to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment through engaging students in a number of environmental initiatives throughout the term.
Current environmental initiatives include:
- Energy saving competitions between villages
- Recycling of all cardboard, packaging, cans and bottles and improved segregation at source
- Installation of energy efficient light bulbs in all residences
- Speaker series and movie nights focusing on global environmental issues
- Annual participation in World Earth Hour
- Weekly Farmers' Market on campus promoting local organic produce
- Introduction of composting of organic waste
- Pilot project in water conservation
- Regular campus litter pick ups
- Swap Shop at the end of term where unwanted items are available for swap instead of disposal
Local Organizations
https://ien.ie/
https://www.greenfoundationireland.ie/
Local Initiatives
https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/limerickenvironmentalnetwork/