Considering that the vast majority of people are in agreement that we should be aiming for a more sustainable future, it's amazing how much controversy this burning issue has already created. For a start, the one thing that becomes obvious when you begin to engage in discussions about green issues is that everyone has their own ideas about what it is actually meant by sustainability. Put in its simplest terms, the most common definition used (Bruntland) is sustainability means meeting the needs of today without compromising future generations.  The wider implications for which now extend into the sphere of ecological, social and economic responsibility, and we can all play our part.

For most of the population, green thinking is something we have had to get used to. We now know to switch the television off rather than leave the standby light on, we separate our rubbish and we don't leave the tap running too long. Although we worry about our carbon footprint, the message is taking time to get through. But for today's children thinking about the environment is second nature. If schools can encourage green practises they can reap the benefits in a number of ways.

Stormsaver's Michael Farnsworth has literally gone back to school with the company's latest rainwater harvesting system installation.

Warewashing specialist Meiko UK, has taken the first step in implementing a carbon offset programme for every road, air and freight mile undertaken on behalf of the company.  With effect from the

Award-winning off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has completed construction of one of the UK's most sustainable modular school buildings.

Mercury Recycling has been appointed to collect and recycle all fluorescent tubes and sodium lamps from the University of Manchester.  The University is Britain's largest single-site university and disposes of over 25,000 fluorescent and sodium lamps per annum. The arrangement ensures that the site is supplied with a number of Lampsafe, and Bulbsafe containers for collection and recycling by Mercury Recycling operatives.

Designed for semi-domestic situations that require the essential equipment for basic cooking, the Mini-Kitchen is a complete and compact kitchen unit featuring cooking rings, fridge, kitchen sink and undersink storage in a single, discreet and easy to install unit.

ICO Europe has been manufacturing in the UK for 40 years.  Whilst engineering excellence is a priority, SICO also strives to make its production procedures as efficient as possible in order to reduce its carbon footprint. This is achieved through the implementation of LEAN manufacturing which focuses on eliminating wasteful processes.

Foster Refrigerator has launched its Eco range of Premier and Pro Cabinets, which offers a staggering 47% saving in energy usage compared to the ranges a year ago when they were already top of the class.

Schools need to lead and inspire pupils so that we all make an effort to reduce global warming. This brief note relates to the reduction of current flue gas energy wastage which some people do not consider important. This view is unfortunate since the recovery of this energy is really vital!

Education Today discusses energy conservation in the education sector with Martin Fry; Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor, City University Chairman, Energy Services and Technology Association, Advisor to the Carbon Trust

Eurobond has re-launched the Europanel composite panel system, with a new emphasis on its proven credentials in low environmental impact and fire performance. The ‘total wall’ solution is designed to be integrated with glazing and louvre components from partner manufacturers.

Keylite Sun Lite™ provides specifiers and housebuilders with a source of daylight in challenging areas. Lighting is the most visible building system, which directly affects the aesthetics and image of a building and business, not to mention being responsible for affecting mood, comfort, productivity and health and safety of a building’s occupants. Sometimes a conventional Keylite Roof Window may not be an option due to certain obstacles.

Vulcana Kestrel room-sealed gas heaters are ideal for schools because they do not use air from the classroom to support combustion, so maintain warmth and high air quality, even on the coldest days.

Five young people from Walton High School, Milton Keynes, will be on their way to Prague next year to represent their country at the third annual Youth Eco-Parliament.

A pioneering environmental initiative by Lotus Professional is set to help local authorities improve their green credentials by creating a zero ‘paper-footprint’ from their selection of washroom paper products.

The first initiative of its kind in the industry in the UK, ‘Smile’ will enable the public sector to be even more proactive on recycling and the environment.

The Haileybury Youth Trust (HYT) is helping to pioneer a new technology which will revolutionise the building of schools and houses in Africa and have a significant impact on climate change.

The HYT has embarked on a project in Uganda, promoting a construction technology called an interlocking stabilised soil block (ISSB) that has the potential to change the way houses and schools are built across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, while preserving the region's fragile environment.

Energy isn't just on the curriculum in physics classes. It's a hot topic in educational management too, as lower energy costs and better working conditions grow in importance.

Never more so than for the warewash area, where many dishwashers generate steam and heat every time they are operated. School managers are watching huge amounts of money disappear in energy costs, while they worry about what's left to spend on food ingredients.

SICO Europe, the original British manufacturer of table seating units, has recently launched a special laminate for its tables. The new top is designed to address the issue of climate change and ways in which we can all be more environmentally friendly and help prevent global warming.

The strength, performance and durability of EcoTherm PUR (Polyurethane) insulation board made it an ideal solution when a Dorset school needed to replace two areas of roof.

The school in Lyme Regis recently completed a major building programme to provide new facilities and teaching areas. Some of the older parts of the school however were starting to show their age.

Good refrigeration equipment is essential in the drive to produce fresh and nutritious school meals. With more fresh food being prepared, safe food storage is critical and therefore investing in kitchen equipment is an important decision.