Genesis News

Race organisers and Somerset College saved more than 5,500 plastic bottles from landfill following the Taunton Marathon held in April.

Recycling firm Perry's supplied the College with three frames for plastic bottles that were positioned along the route. Runners dropped the bottles off in the frames as they ran past. Race organisers also collected bottles that had been discarded along the route.

The bottles were collected by Perry's during the week after the marathon and will be recycled.

With the Genesis Centre as the regions model for sustainable construction, short courses on sustainability and sustainable modules embedded into courses, Somerset College leads the way in the West Country for sustainability.

Estates work across the campus now considers sustainable practise in every area. Light sensor technology is now in most campus areas and new energy efficiency measures are continually adopted. The College estimated its carbon footprint in 2007 and since then has reduced energy, landfill and much more. The 2009 carbon footprint will demonstrate some of the progress made towards being a zero carbon college.

Recycling is strong at the College with recycling centres based outside all work areas and landfill bins removed from classrooms and offices which constantly challenges staff's waste mind set and encourages them to recycle.