Meridian Vocational College is a small registered training organisation, located in Adelaide and supporting the Carbon Neutral Adelaide program. The college seeks to educate students and staff to be responsible and able to run a sustainable business for profit, people and planet. Meridian Vocational College believes paying attention to the social and environmental bottom line makes them a better training business.
The college has encouraged its team to commit to a sustainable future and has adopted a green office champion model where all staff and students are encouraged to “switch off”, “use less” and “recycle”. To reduce their environmental footprint and save energy costs, MVC have developed an environmental sustainability policy in consultation with students and staff to guide its business practices. Some of the initial action includes installing lighting sensors and low-energy LED lights and reducing printing by switching to online assessments. In introducing a new café, the college is looking into ways to reduce waste, for example by avoiding plastic straws, incorporating a compost service and providing incentives to bring your own cups. The college also offers units in its hospitality and business courses specifically focussed on sustainability plans.