Letterfrack Green Campus

Proud holders of a Green Campus Flag since 2014

ATU Connemara works proactively to limit the impact of its operations on the environment and to nurture principles of sustainability within its teaching and learning.

ATU Connemara was awarded an international Green Campus Flag by An Taisce which was formally raised on 21st October, 2014. A second Green Flag for Biodiversity was then raised in April 2019. Our Green Campus Committee is comprised of staff from both ATU Connemara and Connemara West and students.

There are five themes in the Green Campus programme including Waste, Water, Energy, Transport and Biodiversity. ATU Connemara has also adopted an ethical procurement policy relating to materials and consumables and embeds sustainability within course curriculum. 

1. Green Flag for Waste

Our first flag was awarded for implementing a programme on waste management and  reduction. We have implemented a range of sustainable initiatives aimed at reducing waste and increasing recycling over the past two years.

This has resulted in:

  • 48% decrease in waste going to landfill

  • 144% increase in recycling of paper

  • 34% reduction in paper usage

  • 30% reduction in waste costs

2. Green Flag for Biodiversity

Our second Green Flag was awarded and raised during our annual Green Day in April 2019..

To date we have planted five acres of Native Woodland in Connemara National Park which we continue to manage with help from our partners in the National Parks and Wildlife Services.

This Community Native Woodland is an educational resource for staff, students and the wider community and helps us understand the importance of woodlands in our society. We have also had lots of talks, walks, guest speakers and quizzes during our biodiversity days.

3. Energy, Water and Transport

These are the other areas we are targeting as we aim to attain Green Flags for all five streams.

Our Green Charter outlines the policy set out for our staff, students and visitors to Letterfrack.

*** You can keep up to date with all our Green Campus events on our Facebook page and browse images from our journey to date below!***