Principles of sustainable development
- We have launched a project with the aim of applying for the school to receive the Certificate of Sustainable Development for Independent Educational Work maintained by the OKKA Foundation.
- We have added sustainability as one of our procurement selection criteria.
- We offer sustainability-certified products, such as coffee and tea.
Teaching and course design
- We are constantly expanding our range of sustainable development courses, including natural beauty care, sustainable style, recycled jewelry design and forest hikes.
- We have implemented safety-focused, 72-hour preparedness courses in accordance with the concept developed by the Finnish Rescue Services Central Organization together with its partners.
- We have implemented a free lecture series on the theme of Sustainable Development.
- We make equipment purchases that require educational technology in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
Energy efficiency of premises and equipment
- The renovation of the school building included extensive renovation work on the mezzanine and building services, among other things, to ensure indoor air quality.
- The energy source of the main building is green electricity.
- The heat source for the school building is district heating.
- We monitor the school's air quality and water and electricity consumption trends.
- We save energy with automatic lights that turn off automatically in hallways and social areas, and with LED lights in classrooms.
- Classrooms have switch-off switches that turn off technology devices for the night.
- The equipment purchased for educational technology is long-lasting and maintenance-free. For example, our projectors do not require lamp replacement during their lifetime.
- With the IDR system, we determine, for example, that a maintenance procedure performed on a machine is recorded in a register to support equipment management and cost efficiency.
Security of premises
- The premises have been renovated to be safe and the college has defined safety measures according to the use of the premises.
- Almost all classrooms have two exits and emergency exit maps are located near the doors.
- The property has several fire buttons as well as exit instructions and lighting.
- There are two defibrillators on the property, and information about them can also be found on the defi.fi website in case of an emergency nearby.
- There are several first aid kits on all floors of the property.
- The classrooms have first aid equipment suitable for the premises, such as an emergency shower and emergency flushing point in art classrooms, and first aid equipment suitable for sports injuries in the sports facilities.
- The property has a stretcher and wheelchair.
- The property has 24/7 camera surveillance.
- The locking is behind the iLOQ control, so in an emergency the outer shell doors can be locked remotely by the janitors.
- During the coronavirus epidemic, we increased cleaning and the supply of hand sanitizer. We arranged safe distances in classrooms to ensure a safe learning environment. Sanitary facilities, stair railings and other frequently touched surfaces were treated with a photocatalytic coating from Nanoksi Finland, which made the surfaces antimicrobial.
Waste disposal
- We have increased waste recycling in staff and student facilities.
- There are separate collection containers for paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, biowaste, batteries, etc.
- We are constantly developing waste recycling and sorting guidance among staff and customers.
Recycling
- We have utilized used furniture from the college's old offices and the previous tenant of the premises.
- We donate furniture that is no longer suitable for us for reuse.
- We donate obsolete technology, such as computer monitors, to our students for free for our own use.
- We offer decommissioned and emptied staff laptops to staff and student laptops to students for redemption for a small amount.
Combating climate change
- We encourage our staff and customers to reduce traffic emissions and arrive at the school by public transport or by bike.
- There is a locked and covered space for staff to store bicycles.
- We reduce paper consumption with the default setting for double-sided printing.
- We instruct our staff to avoid unnecessary printing.
Respect for the environment and original architecture
- A historical architectural study of the college building was conducted to identify important architectural details and the compromises required to adapt it to modern use. When the building was renovated for college use, the project succeeded in protecting the remaining elements of the original premises.
- During the demolition work, the roof, which was in poor condition, was replaced. The multi-shaped roof was laser scanned and photographed so that the new roof and metal cladding could be made as accurately as possible, following the old one in terms of details and materials.
- The original style and color tones of the main building were determined during the renovation through a study of building history and colors. The original color tones were excavated from the building's interior walls through a color study, and the original wooden doors at the main entrances were restored by sanding down the old brown paint.
Responsible partners
- Lassila & Tikanoja is responsible for the college's property and waste management, and also monitors building automation issues for efficiency.
- MTB Cleaning Service is responsible for cleaning the college.
- The coffee machines are supplied by Pelican Rouge.
- Carpets, art and lab coats are supplied by Lindström.
- Wulff supplies office, hygiene and food products.