In addition, one of the core UWC values ‘respect for the environment’ has been a key driver in exploring a chemical-free cleaning regime. It hasn’t just been about improving the College’s green credentials, more about showcasing what a real commitment to sustainability looks like in the day-to-day life of the College.

In May 2019, after a wide ranging consultation with students and staff, UWC Atlantic took the decision to transform its cleaning regime by installing a completely chemical-free system across the 122-acre campus Robert Scott’s Toucan Eco bio-cleaning range. The installation means the College can make a sustainable, effective and non-chemical disinfectant and cleaning solution on-site, which removes the need for 80 percent of chemical products, while significantly reducing single-use plastic waste and creating cost efficiencies over time.

Alan Fleming, director of facilities and operations for UWC Atlantic, explained: “The College takes a challenging and interactive approach to learning that inspires and equips students to work towards a more sustainable future.

“Learning revolves around increasing students’ understanding of global challenges – environmental issues are high on the agenda – and developing a vision of how we can adopt alternative approaches to living. As well as introducing a student Sustainability Council, we have also implemented ways to offset our carbon footprint, reduce water consumption and transition to using more green energy.

“We have three recycling areas across the campus, including compost sites, which we use to naturally fertilise the fruit and vegetables we grow in our polytunnels. We are also looking into a sustainable seaweed farm and, as part of our long-term strategy, we hope to install heat source pumps to harness green energy from natural sources in the ground and in the air.

“As part of this strategy we’ve been exploring chemical-free cleaning for some time and hadn’t found a solution that met the specific needs of the UWC Atlantic campus and its facilities. Jonathan Thiel, the College’s on-site manager from the Compass Group, made a recommendation that we consider Robert Scott’s innovative new bio-cleaning system – Toucan Eco – and so we invited the team to campus for a demonstration of the technology.”

Steve Courtney, Toucan Eco product specialist at Robert Scott, continued: “From our first meeting with the College’s management team, it was clear they were looking for a solution that would align with their sustainability ethos as a main priority. Understanding their approach to education helped us to highlight the specific benefits of the system that would be most valuable to the College.