Sustainability at SERC

Environmental sustainability is a global concern but one where local actions have a crucial impact.

SERC’s commitment to sustainability is shown through:

  • Campus developments
  • Courses to upskill the workforce as changes to how we live will require new processes and new technologies
  • Opportunities to get involved in eco-communities on campus
  • Sustainability is core value of the learning and teaching and is one of the attributes assessed in PBL competitions
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Zero Shops

You may have already spotted our pop-up Zero Shop at one of our on-campus seasonal markets or at an event. But if you haven't, we provide a range of eco-products to help you get what you need while also protecting the environment!

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Suited & Booted

Suited and Booted is our sustainable fashion initiative, taking donations of good quality interview and work clothes and making these available to students. The project was launched to help tackle fast fashion and its destructive environmental impact.

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Eco-committee

Each year Eco Committees are formed across our campuses to deliver eco change in college and beyond.

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Courses

Banner image of the holywood campus

As businesses, governments and households face the need to developnew ways of living and working, the NI construction industry will need staff with the skills and know-how to support and enable this. SERC has worked with employers to develop pioneering new qualifications which are delivered at our new Zero Carbon Centre at SERC Holywood Campus.

Estates

SERC has a commitment to meet our environmental responsibilities whilst maintaining facilities to meet the needs of our community. Actions so far: 

  • Electric Vehicles (EV) - we have invested in two electric vehicles for use in connection with SERC activities and plan to increase that number.
  • EV Charging - we have installed 16 EV charging points across our four main campuses, (Bangor, Ards, Lisburn & Downpatrick) and one at Holywood
  • PV Solar Panels - SERC has installed PV solar panels at three of our four main sites and we are currently working on a scheme for the 4th
  • LED Lighting - SERC has installed motion-activated LED lighting at its four main campuses and is working towards implementing full LED lighting across all campuses
  • Waste Management - All SERC waste currently goes to a recycling facility where approximately 97% of our waste is recycled and thus diverted from landfill
  • ISO 14001 - SERC Estates Dept currently has an Environmental Management System (EMS) in place and holds full ISO 14001 Environmental Management accreditation
  • The Zero Carbon Centre and Horticulture facilities at SERC Holywood Campus include a retrofitted main building which is an exemplar of how construction professionals can meet the need for energy security and minimal environmental impact.