Biodiesel from Chip Fat Initiative at Newport’s University Highlighted in National Climate Change Report

22/1/2008

 Printer Friendly Page A new national report out today (21st January) recognises the work of the University of Wales, Newport for its contribution to the ‘green’ agenda by pioneering an environmentally friendly process of recycling a waste product into a fuel that powers campus maintenance vehicles and machinery.

‘Greening Spires’, a report from the Vice-Chancellors’ group, Universities UK, features the fact that Newport was the first university in the UK to set up an on-site plant for turning waste cooking oil into eco-friendly biodiesel.

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The report also includes case studies on cutting emissions for the aviation industry, research into the melting of glaciers, recycling waste and building eco-friendly campuses.

LEFT: Matthew Bellamy (left) the University’s Environmental Officer, examines a sample of the biodiesel fuel produced by Head Groundsman Mike Davies (right) and his team Gareth Davis and Neil Humphreys

Professor Rick Trainor, President of Universities UK, said, “Whereas the environment has moved quickly to the forefront of all our minds, UK universities have been at the centre of the debate for decades.  While this report is testament to the great work going on at the University of Wales, Newport, we need continued investment from Government and industry for this success to continue.

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“The jury is out on how we can best work together to tackle climate change.  It will be university research like that at Newport, pushing the boundaries, which will give us the answer to one of the greatest challenges of our age.”

RIGHT: Environmental Officer Matthew Bellamy and Head Groundsman Mike Davies on one of the tractors powered by the biodiesel produced on campus

Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said, “I applaud and am deeply proud of the work being carried out in UK universities by dedicated teams of scientists who are seeking solutions to climate change.  I will do all I can to ensure this work continues.”

Matthew Bellamy, the Environmental Officer at the University of Wales, Newport, said, “We are very proud that, as a university, Newport is leading the way in pioneering this environmentally friendly process which recycles one of our waste products into a fuel that produces a lot less carbon dioxide than standard diesel. It’s proving an extremely cost-effective and eco-friendly way of running a range of vehicles used to maintain the extensive grounds of our two campuses. 

“The biodiesel production facility is the latest in a series of environmentally friendly measures at the University which is constantly adding energy efficiency measures such as Passive Infra Red sensors to turn the lights on and off when an area is occupied and urinal flush controls to save water.”


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Notes
1. Greening Spires: Universities and the Green Agenda will be available to download from the Universities UK website on the morning of Tuesday 22 January 2008 at http://bookshop.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/. Journalists interested in receiving an embargoed copy of the report should contact the Universities UK press office on 0207 419 5568.
2. For further press enquiries, please contact the Universities UK press office or email pressunit@universitiesuk.ac.uk.  Images from the publication - including full colour shots of the featured case studies - are available upon request.
3. The report will be launched at the Universities UK Winter Reception with the Rt Hon John Denham MP in the House of Commons on Wednesday 23 January 2008.
4. Universities UK is the major representative body and membership organisation for the higher education sector. It represents the UK's universities and some higher education colleges. Its 132 members http://www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk/members/ are the executive heads of these institutions. Universities UK works closely with policy makers and key education stakeholders to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Founded in 1918 and formerly known as the Committee for Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), Universities UK is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008.