TAFE Riverina Institute wins award for environmental sustainability

The TAFE NSW Riverina Institute has been awarded the 2012 Australian Business Award for Environmental Sustainability for adopting a number of energy-efficiency measures, including a lighting upgrade that has yielded savings of $118,000 a year.

Since the institute adopted an Environmental Business Plan in 2010, electricity and gas consumption has decreased significantly across the institute’s 20 campuses. In total, the institute has seen a 5.93% reduction in electricity use and a 15.6% reduction in gas use.

“We upgraded a lot of our lights, employed solar tinting on north-westerly facing windows, and upgraded and replaced a lot of old air conditioners and electric hot water services,” said Jeremy Geach, Environmental Manager at the Institute.

The lighting upgrade saw the institute replace inefficient incandescent bulbs with around 14,000 fluorescent tubes.

The institute’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its courses, with the ‘embedding’ of green skills into all qualifications.

“Any typical course, whether it’s a Certificate III or IV or an apprenticeship, will have a green skills component,” Geach said. “If it’s an apprentice electrician, they’ll learn about the installation of solar PV, more efficient lighting and motion sensors.

“Apprentice builders will learn about the various types of insulation and how to install it, passive cooling techniques and building orientation.”

Having received the Australian Business Award, the institute now has its sights set on Gold accreditation under the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage Program by 2014.

“You obviously need a pretty solid strategy but I really see it (sustainability) as a key area where you can do a lot to improve your business’s bottom line,” Geach said.