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Our commitment to the environment
International House Darwin (IHD) is committed to reducing the footprint it leaves on the environment. To this end, management have been investigating more sustainable practices that can be implemented at IHD and ways in which resident awareness of environmental sustainability can be enhanced. Our aim is to build a student residence which leads the way for other residences in terms of environmental responsibility, sustainability and preparing residents with an awareness of best practices which they can take from IHD as life skills for the future.
Doing our bit for the environment
International House Darwin has front-loading washing machines in the laundries to reduce the amount of water used and increase energy efficiency. These machines also require less detergent.
Clothes airers are provided to encourage the use of natural drying and decrease use of energy-hungry clothes dryers. In the Darwin dry season, clothes will naturally dry very quickly!
In recognition that clothes dryers are an asset during the Darwin wet season, coin operated clothes dryers are also available for use. Coin operated clothes dryers act as a deterrent to use during the dry season.
Recycling bins are installed around the property and in recent years IHD has also introduced solar hot water systems in 11 of its 12 residential buildings.
Recycling Bin |
One of IHD's resident Frilled Neck Lizards |
The IHD grounds are home to some unique Top End wildlife, such as frilled neck lizards and green tree frogs, and are visited by interesting birds like curlews, bush turkeys, plovers and ibis. IHD management are working to rid the area of feral cats in order to protect native the birds and animals that share the IHD environment.
Future plans
Management of International House Darwin have set the following goals for the coming 1-5 year period:
- conversion to use of solar power as the main source of energy
- conversion to exclusive use of environmentally friendly cleaning products
- operation of a paperless office
- installation of energy saving lights and power devices
- reduction in packaging and paper waste throughout the residence
- promotion of sustainable food practices by developing vegetable gardens
- installation of water storage tanks
- establishment of greywater recycling processes
- reduction of resident use of clothes dryers
- introduction of composting facilities for food scraps
Environment Committee
Vote Earth! Residents enjoy Earth Hour @ IHD |
Acoustic music was a great backdrop to the event |
Great work by the Environment Committee! |
ECO IHD (Environment Committee of IHD) |
Our Environment Committee has been active since 2009 raising awareness of environmental issues, promoting better environmental practices and encouraging students to contribute to improving the environment.
Each year, the Committee holds a major activity to promote Earth Hour and IHD residents join with over one billion people worldwide in turning off the lights for an hour.
The Environment Committee has established a recycling scheme to promote a proper understanding among residents of the recycling process. Other goals include promotion of composting and the establishment of a vegetable garden.
The Committee also encourages interested residents to participate in volunteer programs which benefit the environment in the broader community.
