Estonian Aviation Academy has set smart management and saving the environment as concrete goals. A positive attitude towards the environment is developed in students from the very first year, and our own employees set a good example.
The easiest way to help our environment is by sorting waste wisely. Many items can be recycled, but much can also go back to nature. We have sorted paper, mixed packaging, domestic waste and biodegradable waste at the Academy for years. Waste stations are located on each floor of the building. There is no rubbish bin in the classrooms, nor in most of the work rooms - everyone has to walk a short distance and take the waste to the waste station. By the way - it is also beneficial in terms of some extra steps!
A composter has been in use for biodegradable waste for two years now. It is perfect for apple cores, banana peels, coffee grounds and much more. The soil formed during decomposition can be used for flowers and trees. There is a lot of greenery in the Academy building and a small forest behind the building. Every year graduates plant a new tree in front of the Academy and have done so for almost 10 years!
Saving electricity is not too difficult either. In the study building, the lights go on and off automatically. Of course, it is also the responsibility of every employee and student to turn off the lights when leaving the classroom. Rooms are also equipped with thermostats to optimally control the temperature.
However, the greatest recent innovation is the implementation of our own solar panels. In theory, it should be possible to cover between one-sixth and one-fifth of the Academy’s total electricity bill with energy from solar. Hopefully, the sun will be generous to us! The electric car, which has served us for years, is used for all city trips, which means a small saving of fossil fuels. Regarding regular cars, we strongly promote drive sharing, and both employees and students have their own information channels for this purpose.
If you sum all this up, and add in extra small details, like the fact that our water dispensers use glass instead of plastic cups, or that aerators are installed on the taps (aerators add air to the flush, which reduces water usage by five times!), then yes – one educational institution can do a lot to manage the environment wisely. Small steps help us to achieve big goals.