MedImmune holds Environment Day

An Environment Day was held by MedImmune recently to help make staff more conscious of their eco footprint at work, home and travelling.

Held in the Aaron Klug building foyer, the event combined the serious with fun events to create a memorable day. Posters about how to be more green and MedImmune’s endeavours to reduce the impact on its environment were displayed in the foyer and company’s main recycling contractor, Donarbon, supplied information on composting and how waste is recycled. Pipette tip box recycling providers Anachem also provided information and advice on their process of recycling the tip boxes and their other activities to help protect the environment.
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A big attraction of the day was Honda’s marquee with two hybrid cars, one for show and the other for staff to take out for a test drive at 20 minute intervals, which many people took advantage of. Staff were also encouraged to sign up to Camshare, a local car share scheme that is supported by Granta Park. The web-based scheme at www.camshare.info allows people to easily and securely make contact with other drivers. Participants on the day were also encouraged to think about buddying up with other cyclists.

Baxter Storey, MedImmune’s catering contractors, produced a menu of locally sourced food, as well as information on how the company became certified as carbon neutral in 2006 for offsetting 678 tonnes of C02 from head office. Mars also attended, giving out beverages made from sustainable and fair trade ingredients.

Staff could also watch a film called Home by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, which highlights the treasures of planet Earth and the marks that humans leave behind. The film has breathtaking aerial views from more than 50 countries and showing the extent of human impact on our landscapes. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU to watch the film.

Staff who took part in one or more of the events were able to enter a raffle to win some excellent environmentally themed prizes, including a luxury home recycling triple bin, solar powered back pack to charge various gadgets using the sun and organic food hampers.