At New Links Training Solutions, we are excited to announce a significant step towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. As an organization, we are committed to leading by example in adopting eco-friendly practices, and we’re thrilled to share our latest initiative with you. In alignment with our core values, we have transitioned to a 100% paperless approach, facilitated by the integration of the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) into our learning environment.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Recognizing the collective impact of small and medium-sized businesses on the environment, we have taken a proactive stance in mitigating our ecological footprint. Through a comprehensive sustainability audit of our operations, we’ve identified areas where we can make positive changes. This ongoing audit signifies our dedication to continuously improving our environmental practices.
Embracing the Transition
During our sustainability audit, it became evident that our printing activities were contributing to inefficiencies and environmental harm. This realization prompted us to re-evaluate our methods and explore better alternatives that align with our sustainability goals.
Key Factors for Change
- Waste Reduction: Feedback from both learners and tutors revealed that printed materials often went to waste. Recognizing the unnecessary disposal of printed notes, we’ve restructured our approach to minimize waste.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility led us to understand the diverse learning needs of our students. Many learners required materials in different formats, with electronic formats being the most requested. This shift supports all learners, ensuring equal access to learning resources.
- Preventing Obsolescence: Our dedicated tutors are always on the cutting edge of knowledge, continuously researching and improving their teaching methods. Traditional printed materials could not keep up with this dynamic environment, leading to outdated resources.
- Operational Efficiency: We’ve realized that dedicating staff resources solely to printing and organizing materials was not the most productive approach for a small organization like ours.
- Resource Conservation: Energy, ink, paper, and time consumption were significant factors in our operational costs and environmental impact. Moving towards digital resources conserves these valuable resources.
- Opportunity Cost: Shifting our focus from physical materials creation to more impactful endeavours, such as learning and research, enriches our offerings to learners and clients.
Embracing the Digital Age
We’re thrilled to announce that moving forward, all learning materials will be provided in electronic formats through our Moodle LMS. Learners will have the flexibility to print materials as needed, aligning with their preferences and needs. To enrich the learning experience, we’ve introduced a range of video tutorials accessible to all learners. This transition not only reduces waste and energy consumption but also empowers learners to customize their materials to suit their individual learning styles.
Continued Partnership
We sincerely appreciate the support of our learners as we embark on this sustainability journey. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us as we strive to create an exceptional learning environment. Every decision we make, including our sustainability initiatives, is rooted in recognized best practices and evidence-based advice from expert organizations. Ultimately, our commitment remains steadfast in ensuring the success of our learners, while contributing to a greener economy.
“Reducing the environmental impact of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a key success factor in greening the economy. Improving the environmental performance is also a significant business opportunity for SMEs themselves as important suppliers of goods and services.” Source: Environmental policy toolkit for greening SMEs in the EU Eastern Partnership countries, first edition.
Thank you for joining us on this transformative journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Janet Tumulty