Green Campus programme

ATU Mayo (formerly GMIT Mayo) Green Campus. Proud to be the first Institute of Technology to be awarded the Green Flag.

GMIT Mayo was the first Institute of Technology in the world to be awarded the status of Green Campus by The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and An Taisce in 2011.

The aims of the now ATU Mayo Green Campus project are to raise awareness of environmental issues and take practical actions under the Green Campus themes.  We have drawn up a Charter for each theme (see Download link below) giving guidelines on the positive contributions staff and students can make.

Since 2008, environmental initiatives taken have led to dramatic changes on campus:

• Paper consumption has declined by over 50%
• Recycling rates have increased by over 75% including food and ink/toner cartridges
• Energy consumption has been reduced by just over 20%
• Biodiversity has been increased through planting of native trees and a native bank
• Yearly live-streaming from Swift nest boxes (May to August) is a nationally unique project
• There are now 2 eCar charging points and 6 priority parking spaces for car sharers
• Lawn areas have been earmarked for either rewilding or six weekly mowing

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/ATUMayoGreenCampus

https://www.instagram.com/greencampusatumayo

In February 2014, the campus was awarded its second Green Flag by An Taisce following a rigorous re-evaluation by an expert panel under the Green Flag themes of Energy, Litter & Waste, Water and Biodiversity. A further Travel Flag was added in 2016. Some of the Green campus projects are outlined below.

Sanctuary Garden 

Two students from the Applied Social Studies course developed this garden in the main courtyard.  A student on the Heritage course designed the garden.  It is a wonderful space created by students to be enjoyed by the college community.

Native Tree Planting

Students and Staff got involved in the national Plant a Million Trees Project.  A wide variety of native trees were planted to provide a nectar and food source insects and birds.  Native bluebells bulbs, teasel plants and snowdrops were planted amongst the trees to give colourful ground flora.

Forest Walk

Students and staff created this popular walking space by creating paths and installing a bridge in the wooded area adjacent to the football pitch.  This is also maintained and resurfaced every couple of years by students.

St. Mary’s Courtyard Garden

Students and staff gave the Courtyard garden a new lease of life in 2021.  Borders were created and planted.  Fruit trees in concrete planters were introduced and tables and benches added.  This is now a very popular place to eat lunch and hangout!  See Download below:

Energy Conservation

Our PC Windows power settings are set to when plugged in turn off after 10 minutes.  We also run a "Last Out, Lights Out"  and  "Office Shutdown" campaigns in particular during academic holidays.  See our combined Electric and Gas kW consumption graphs below.

Be An Earth Friendly Artist

Two students on the part-time Art & Design course developed a leaflet showing how to dispose of acrylic artists paint in a safe and simple way without polluting our water.  There are step by step instructions in the leaflet below.