Sustainability

An education that doesn’t cost the earth.

It seems logical, doesn’t it. If we don’t learn how to live sustainably when we are young, if we aren’t taught the scientific reasons why all of us need to shift our patterns of life to a more sustainable model, we probably won’t change later on, and unhealthy patterns will become fixed in place. And for those currently in school, there may not be much of an environment to inherit, when their time comes.

We are part of a web of environmental connections, and day by day we are realizing that if we are to lead healthy, happy lives, the world around us needs to be healthy too. This is why sustainability and environmental awareness are key priorities for Robert College.

We are determined to continually review our practices to ensure that resources are used optimally, without compromising the needs of future generations. Some of the school’s efforts so far include drinking water purification systems, grey water recycling system, wide-spread use of recycling bins and energy-saving practices.

In 2019, the RC Environmental Movement was formed to unite the environmental initiatives at RC and promote steady progress toward a more environmentally responsible community. This group of students, staff and faculty, working together with the wider RC community, aims to achieve the following goals:

Objective

Progress to date

Elimination of all single-use plastics in campus food services

As of January, 2020, bottled water ceased to be sold on campus. RC’s food service provider uses only reusable dinnerware and flatware.

Composting all organic waste on campus, including grounds clippings and food waste

We are creating a large composting area behind the cafeteria. Pilot composters are being created near faculty residences. We will experiment with different types of composters shortly.

Applying best practices for environmental and organic management of the school grounds, in order to preserve campus wilderness areas

A plan is being drafted which divides our campus into three main zones, with appropriate management of each.

Sharing best practices with ecologically-minded schools

Our planned permaculture conference will be re-scheduled once the COVID-19 pandemic has abated.

Continuation of partnerships with international and local NGOs with an ecological focus

Our ongoing connections include: TÜRÇEV (Türkiye Çevre Eğitim Vakfı), World Wildlife Fund Turkey, Fridays for Future Turkey, Belentepe Permaculture Farm, Kuzeydoğa

Creation of an eco-hub learning center on campus, providing environmental teaching and learning resources

Works will begin in the 20-21 academic year.

Almost two years ago we have appointed Co-Heads of Environmental Education, who are responsible for everything related to environmentalism and sustainaibility, ranging from integrating environmental perspectives to the current curriculum to equipping the school with energy saving structures and looking for ways to enrich the biodiversity of the campus.

To celebrate the Earth Day in 2021, our school signed a contract with a consulting firm to create our first long-term sustainability plan. A Strategic Sustainability Roadmap is in the making to identify priorities and impacts, set long-term targets, and develop a sustainability management system. We hope this will be a role model for other schools in Turkey as well.