WIT News

Waterford Institute of Technology community congratulated on anti-litter performance Posted: Thu, June 25, 2009

Prof Kieran R Byrne, Director, Waterford Institute of Technology has congratulated the Institute’s community of students and staff on the strong performance recorded by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) following the most recent survey of the Institute’s campus environment by An Taisce.

The An Taisce surveyors who report to IBAL for their twice-yearly reports found that the exterior of the Institute’s Cork Road campus was ‘clean to European norms’, commenting that “the exterior of WIT was in pristine condition. The provision of copious amounts of cigarette butt units/bins has certainly paid off – a spotless site.”

Examining the interior, the assessors found that it too was ‘clean to European norms’, adding that “the high standards of the exterior have extended to the impeccable interior” and noting how the recycling facilities were in “excellent condition”.

Commenting on the results, Prof Byrne said they were a credit to all those who occupy the Institute’s campus, whether as students, staff or visitors. “We devote considerable human and financial resources to maintaining an attractive campus environment as we recognise the importance of making this a pleasant place to learn and work. However, all of those efforts would be in vain if we did not also get a mature response from across the Institute community and litter is a clear example of a social and environmental problem where prevention is better than cure.

“In recognising the strong performance by the Institute in the latest IBAL survey, I also want to acknowledge publicly the dedication and commitment of the facilities and environmental staff at the Institute in addressing this issue day in and day out. Theirs is not glamorous or high-profile work but it is no less vital for that. All of us who study and work here owe them a debt of gratitude.

“Litter and other forms of pollution also impinge on the quality of life that we all enjoy here so it behoves us to do our bit to tackle the problem.  ”