ecoDepot's success celebrated (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

ecoDepot's success celebrated

May 31, 2008 11:03 AM

City of York Council's eco-Depot

York's ecoDepot has this month received positive recognition from the York Design Awards, the national news, and an international conference.

The ecoDepot was set up by the Liberal Democrat led-council and is York's depot for environmental and waste services. The building itself is designed to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

The ecoDepot is timber-framed and its walls are packed with straw to provide insulation. It is so well insulated that the heating has only been on for an average of two hours a day during winter. Solar panels on the roof provide 30% of the electricity consumed in the office block, and outdoor sensors control the opening and closing of windows so the building is kept cool and air-conditioning is not needed.

Earlier this month the ecoDepot won a York Design Award for its progressive and cost-effective approach to waste management and recycling, saving tens of thousands of pounds in water bills over the last year.

The construction firm behind the ecoDepot, Carillion, has recently received national recognition as one of the country's leading employers, judged by the Sunday Times, and its work behind the Eco-Depot has been highlighted as exemplary in its drive for energy efficiency.

The ecoDepot has also received international recognition this month, as an international post-graduate conference in Holland has invited Liberal Democrat Councillor Christian Vassie, who was heavily involved in the creation of the ecoDepot, to speak about the project.

Cllr Vassie said, "I am delighted that the ecoDepot has received the widespread recognition it deserves as an exemplary building for originality in tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions."

"The ecoDepot is a great place to work and visit, and I am delighted that this Liberal Democrat initiative to create a building which is energy-efficient, and for environmental purposes, has been so positively recognised."