It’s Colleges’ National Green Week so we thought what better time to shine a light on the many ways we are encouraging students and staff to reduce their carbon footprint across the college.
Did you know the Education Training Collective is iiE Green accredited, the highest possible standard?
That’s national recognition for our group of colleges and our commitment to sustainability.
What’s more it’s a stamp of approval that we are proud to have achieved for three consecutive years.
Etc. director of marketing and business engagement, Erika Marshall, said: “This status is recognition of our ongoing commitment to play our part in tackling the challenges of climate change.
“It means looking at the way we do things and seeing where we can do better.
“And while there’s no magic solution, even small changes can have a big impact when enough people get involved.”
Investors in the Environment (iiE) is a national environmental accreditation scheme designed to help organisations reduce their impact on the environment and get recognition for their progress.
The iiE Green status at the Etc. is very much the result of a team effort across our college community and demonstrates continual improvement.
As well as the vital work that goes on behind the scenes such as reducing and monitoring waste and energy-use, highlights from the group’s efforts this year have included:
Regifting Week 2026
Students and staff once again brought along their unwanted gifts for someone else to take home and enjoy.
Building in popularity every year this is a chance to pass on unwanted or no longer loved items in a sustainable way.
Clothing Swish
In a similar style our GIG Student Engagement Group developed and led a clothing swish, donating unwanted clothing and fashion items for a second life.
This not only cuts down on waste but also challenges the idea that something no longer wanted or needed has lost its worth.
Tree planting
A fabulous 135 trees have been planted across the college sites, along with a wildflower garden at Redcar and Cleveland College, improving biodiversity.
Sustainable travel
Efforts to embrace more sustainable ways to travel continue to be a priority and are a key focus area for one of our Green Initiative Group’s sub teams.
Planning your diary in advance to minimise travel between sites, car sharing where possible and exploring alternate travel methods are all encouraged.
A total of 15 EV chargers have been installed across our sites and we are allocating buddy bays as an incentive to car share, supporting existing schemes such as the Bike-to-work initiative.
Time for Tees
Our annual volunteering day always offers the chance to make a real difference in the community in a practical hands-on way. Once again we saw dozens of staff picking litter in locations including Tees Barrage, Seaton Carew and Billingham.
Not afraid to muck in gardening and maintenance projects were also tackled at True Lovers Walk in Yarm, Kirkleatham Woods, Daisy Chain and The Chris Cave Foundation Cavey’s Cabin in Locke Park, Redcar.
Many green initiatives here at the Etc. are led by the dedication and enthusiasm of our Green Initiatives Group (GIG), a team of volunteers from across the organisation who share ideas and help put them into action.
All our sustainable efforts are backed up by a clear environmental policy which is supported by the Etc. senior management team.
Chief executive and group principal Grant Glendinning said: “We are incredibly proud to hold iiE Green accreditation. This tells us that we are doing the right thing and represents continued progress.
“Now a Clean Energy Technical College of Excellence it feels more important than ever to lead by example, creating opportunities for our staff and students to make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives, as well as supporting skills development for the clean energy and low carbon sectors.”
Working with Genee, the North-east hub for iiE, the Etc. continues to explore ways to embed sustainability into our day-to-day operations.
Colleges’ National Green Week is hosted by the Association of Colleges. It aims to celebrate the many ways colleges are working to find innovative solutions to reduce their emissions, support learners to embrace sustainability and prepare them for the future green economy.
