Stars in sustainability

University staff and students have been rewarded for their efforts in promoting social responsibility and sustainability.

Now in their second year, the Edinburgh Sustainability Awards were presented to 21 teams this month.

Gold winners

For the second year running, Printing Services was awarded Gold - the award for teams that meet the highest standards in sustainability.

Other Gold award recipients were the Hugh Robson Building team from the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Chancellor’s Building team from Medicine.

Additional awards

Eight teams were given Silver and a further six earned Bronze, with one team gaining the ‘Working Towards Accredition’ award.

This year also saw the introduction of an award for good practice in laboratories, with three teams recognised in that category.

Special achievements

A number of special awards were made, honouring specific achievements in social responsibility and sustainability.

These were:

• Best idea for Cutting Carbon Footprints: The Freeshop
• Best Energy Saving Idea: ERI’s Green Gauge Swingometer
• Office Depot Innovation: John McIntyre Conference Centre
• Outstanding personal contribution: student Francesco Benvenuti and Roy Dawke, Buildings Manager (Chancellor’s Building)

I see these annual awards as a fitting tribute to those who are taking their School, department, laboratory or building on the journey to fulfil our responsibilities to the public and to society and to contribute to a low-carbon, sustainable Scotland.