Central Queensland University seeks to promote environmental best practice through its teaching, research and community service.

The University has recently adopted a new environmental policy and funded a “Clean and Green CQU” research program into environmental best practice on the Rockhampton campus.

This study has revealed that staff members generally have a very high level of knowledge and awareness of environmental issues and also of sustainable business practices.

Another outcome of the Clean and Green CQU research has been the bringing together of environmentally conscious representatives from the various faculties and divisions.

These environmental representatives have volunteered their time to meet monthly to discuss environmental issues with interested stakeholders and to act as a conduit for disseminating information on environmentally responsible practices.

It is appropriate that these dedicated staff members are promoted as the public face of CQU’s environmental commitment and be recognised for their environmental stewardship roles within their departments.

The aim of the group is to encourage the CQU community to adopt practices consistent with the CQU Environmental Policy.

One of the first projects of the Environmental Representatives Group was to investigate ways of further enhancing the recycling activities of different areas of the University.

The University uses about 12,000,000 sheets of copy paper per year; only a small fraction of this is recycled. A list of appropriate paper products suitable for recycling will be produced by the group and made available for display in photocopying areas, staff rooms and recycling stations.

Some departments already recycle printer cartridges but the group would like to encourage wider acceptance of this practice.

For additional information on how you and your department can become involved, please contact either Matthew Ryan on 4930 9285, Bob Newby on 4930 9626, Helen Gallehawk on 4938 3827 or Dee Reeve on 4930 6325.

Photo: The Greening CQU team are promoting environmental practices on the Rockhampton campus.