Published on: Saturday, 02 March 2013

CIT Department of Tourism & Hospitality has been awarded the prestigious Green Hospitality Gold Award for best practice. This is the fourth year in a row that the Department has received this award.

The Department put together a 'Green Team' in 2008 and went on to win the Bronze Award that year, followed by the Silver Award in 2009 and the Gold Award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and now for 2013. The Gold Award is the target for all members as it is an award for Best Practice.

Environmental Initiatives adopted by the Department as a result of the programme include:
Retrofitting of lighting to low wattage LEDs over cookers, in emergency lighting, etc. and the introduction of sensors. This saw the initial investment paid back within 12 months.

Composting on-site, diminishing food waste and allowing the compost to be used on the CIT grounds; introduction of sparkling and still water on site in their own reusable glass bottles, eliminating the use of plastic bottles in the IT Training Restaurant. There is also a policy to use Irish meat and poultry and to utilise local producers as food suppliers where possible.

A 'Food Waste Reduction Project' led to the setting up of an afternoon "shop" run by students which sells produce produced in classes - all contained in compostable packaging.

Introduction of a "Resource Efficiency Module" for students, which has since been rolled out by other colleges due to its success; Implementation of the ‘Wattics’ energy monitoring system in the Department and well as a student induction programme on environmental practices.

The Green Hospitality Programme is the only Irish developed environmental certification standard for the hospitality sector. The award is recognised both nationally and internationally as a standard that allows members to achieve good environmental performance. Members are encouraged to promote and protect local biodiversity, buy locally where possible and encourage the use of "green" businesses and services. The award is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency under the National Waste Prevention Programme.

The Department of Tourism and Hospitality at CIT encompasses the areas of Culinary Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Bar Management.  It has over 750 students across these disciplines and is located in a modern, purpose-built, building on CIT’s Bishopstown Campus.