NEWS When Umeå Institute of Design hosted the international Cirrus Network Meeting in October, it was not only a moment for regional knowledge exchange in art and design education. It also marked an important step in the university’s sustainability efforts. The event is the first at Umeå University to be officially certified with Kranmärkt.
Kranmärkt is a Swedish sustainability label that promotes the use of tap water instead of bottled water. Choosing tap water is a clear environmental choice, as producing and transporting bottled water requires significantly more energy than simply using water from the tap. Through its collaboration with Kranmärkt, developed by Svenskt Vatten, UID aims to show that even small decisions can make a big difference.
“This initiative is fully in line with our vision of shaping responsible design practices for the future. It’s a tangible way to demonstrate that sustainability runs through our education, research and events,” says Demian Horst, Head of Department at UID.
The certification is part of UID’s long-term commitment to integrating sustainability across all areas of its operations, including education, research, collaboration and communication.
“We’re pleased that UID has chosen to certify the event. Umeå has excellent tap water, and through our involvement we want to highlight the value of clean drinking water, one of our most important resources, and the need to use it sustainably,” say Anna-Lena Fomin, Head of Customer and Communications at Vakin.