Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
10
15/09/2005
11:27
Page 2
AT A GLANCE
In a move aimed at improving its overall
environmental performance, the Furniture College
in Letterfrack, Co Galway developed a Cleaner
Greener Production Programme (CGPP) project,
which specifically set out to reduce energy usage
and water usage in every area of the colleges
operations as well as reduce the amount of waste
generated on the site. From the outset, most of
the 150 students at the college and 11 staff
members were involved in this CGPP project,
which was carried out over an eight-month period
in 2002/2003. A range of operational practices
within the college was evaluated. Particular
emphasis was placed on the implementation of a
series of continuous improvement initiatives in
waste minimisation, materials re-use, materials
recycling and energy conservation.
THE FURNITURE
COLLEGE, LETTERFRACK,
CO GALWAY
The Furniture College, which was established in
1987, is an educational partnership between
Connemara West (a rural community
development organisation) and the Galway-Mayo
Institute of Technology (GMIT). The college
provides education and training in furniture design,
manufacture, conservation and restoration.
Throughout, the teaching emphasis is very
practical in nature: up to half the students time is
taken up with making furniture in a machine
hall/factory environment, where a wide range of
raw materials including solid wood, manufactured
boards (e.g. MDF and plywood) and metal
components are utilised.
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL
PERFORMANCE AT THE FURNITURE
COLLEGE, GMIT-LETTERFRACK, CO GALWAY
AIMS OF THIS PROJECT
The main aim of this project was to
improve the environmental performance of
the Furniture College across a range of
day-to-day activities.
As a first step, the CGPP project team
carried out a detailed assessment of the
colleges existing environmental
performance: the data collected during this
exercise were used as the benchmark
against which all CGPP project
improvements would be measured.
Specific project objectives were to achieve
a significant reduction in electricity usage,
gas usage and water usage which, as well
as yielding environmental benefits, would
also generate financial savings. In addition,
the CGPP project team set out to achieve
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This CGPP project was carried out over an
eight-month period. On-site meetings to
review progress were held every four
weeks.
CGPP2004.10
15/09/2005
11:28
Page 3
ACHIEVEMENTS
The following achievements were recorded:
An environmental policy statement for the college was
drawn up.
A materials management system was put in place.
A series of lectures on evaluating the environmental
implications of usage of certain raw materials and designs
was introduced.
The level of awareness of environmental issues among
college staff, students and personnel working in the
range of enterprises that operate in and around the
college site improved significantly during the eight-month
project period.
The environmental impact of design is now a mandatory
consideration in all student projects.
Figure 1:
Students and staff planting trees at the Furniture College
An estimated 1.5 tonnes of waste has been diverted from
landfill directly as a result of reducing materials usage;
segregating materials that are considered suitable for re-use,
and recycling MDF and other types of timber products.
CGPP2004.10
15/09/2005
11:28
Page 4
OBSERVATIONS
LESSONS
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on this project contact:
Finian Sheridan
The Furniture College
Letterfrack
Co Galway
Tel: 095 41660 Fax: 095 41112
Email: finian.sheridan@gmit.ie
Website: www.gmit.ie
or
CGPP2004.10
15/09/2005
11:28
Page 1
CLEANER GREENER
PRODUCTION IS
the application of integrated preventive environmental
strategies to processes, products, and services to increase
overall efficiency and reduce risks to humans and the
environment.
Production processes: conserving raw materials and
energy, eliminating toxic raw materials, and reducing the
quantity and toxicity of all emissions and wastes
Products: reducing negative impacts along the life cycle
of a product, from raw materials extraction to its
ultimate disposal.
Services: incorporating environmental concerns into
designing and delivering services.
CLEANER GREENER
PRODUCTION REQUIRES
new attitudes, better environmental management, and
evaluating available technology options. We need to take
good environmental practice to the stage where it is an
inherent part of any business operation.
Better efficiency
Better business
Better environmental protection
Lower costs
Less waste
Less emissions
Less resource consumption
PROGRAMME MANAGERS:
The Clean Technology Centre (CTC) at Cork Institute of
Technology was appointed to manage the programme in
association with OSullivan Public Relations Ltd, and Energy
Transport Actions Ltd, (ENTRAC).
The CTC was established in 1991 and is now nationally and
internationally regarded as a centre of excellence in cleaner
production, environmental management and eco-innovation across
a range of industrial sectors.
Fax. 01 2680199
www.epa.ie
Email. ertdi@epa.ie
Printed on recycled paper using water based inks