Green Campus Program

Campus Sustainability Plan

Facilities Services believes the campus sustainability program is an integral part of social responsibility.  The benefits of a campus sustainability program are as follows:

1. It will use key resources like energy, water, materials, and land much more efficiently than buildings simply built to meet the codes.
2. It will create healthier work, learning, and living environments by providing more natural light and cleaner air, and using environmental friendly chemicals.
3. It will improve employee and student health, comfort, and productivity.
4. It will save money by reducing operations and maintenance costs, as well as lowering utility bills.

 We have developed the following programs to conserve resources such as water, electricity and natural gas:  recycle material and reduce waste; use environmentally friendly chemicals for cleaning and pest control; improve indoor air quality and provide healthier work, learning and living environment.  This program consists of capital project design guidelines which try to meet Green Buildings' LEED standards, green cleaning program, integrated pest control management program, recycling and waste management program, and a utility conservation program.

Green Cleaning Program

This is a part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification program (LEED).  With the right chemicals, equipment, and training, the university can establish an effective green cleaning program which will improve indoor air quality.

The goal of green cleaning is to minimize the cleaning's effect on facility occupants and workers, as well as the environment.  In addition to using environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals, this program requires a variety of tools, products, equipment, and staff training.

Green cleaning components:

1. Use high-performance entry matting systems- 12 to 15 feet at all entrances and other key locations inside and outside a building.
2. Use a high-filtration vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter and sealed casings and hose connections.
3. Use low-moisture carpet extractor- use about 1 gallon of water per minute and the carpet can dry in 30 minutes (old extractor uses about 3-5 gallons per minute).
4. Use Green Seal certified products such as paper, chemicals, etc.
5. Implement Green Seal Cleaning Services Standards.
6. Replace paper towels with electric hand driers to save paper and labor costs or use high recycled content paper towels and toilet paper.
7. Use carpet manufacturer’s approved carpet equipment and cleaning method to maintain the carpet’s warranty.
8. Provide staff training on the green cleaning process.

Integrated Pest Control Management Program

Integrated pest control management (IPM) is a process for achieving long-term, environmentally sound pest suppression and prevention through the use of a wide variety of technological and management practices.  Control strategies in an IPM program include:

1. Structural and procedural modifications to reduce food, water, harborage, and access used by pests.
2. Pesticide compounds, formulations, and application methods that present the lowest potential hazard to humans and the environment.
3. Non-pesticide technologies such as trapping and monitoring devices.
4. Coordination among facilities management programs that have a bearing on the pest control effort.

Recycling and Waste Management Program

We will continue collecting and implementing the latest methods of recycling and waste reduction which are the most cost effective.  We will continue soliciting input from students, faculty, and staff to improve the program and encourage them to participate in this program.

The following paper products may be disposed of in the blue recycling containers:

Other Material:

• Cardboard should be deposited in or near the recycling containers.
• Phone books go in specified phone book recycling containers.
• Plastic pop bottles should be deposited into plastic recycling containers.
• Fluorescent lamps are collected and recycled by Facilities Services.
• Lead acid, alkaline, nickel, and lithium batteries are collected by Facilities Services.
• Glossy paper such as magazines should go in regular trash.
• Any paper products or cardboard contacted with food or beverages should go in regular trash.

For more detail on the campus recycling program, please refer to the Recycle Update on the Facilities Services website. This website also provides the previous 12-months totals of material recycled.

Utility Conservation Program

We are committed to energy and resource conservation.  Energy conservation helps reduce the effects of global warming, acid rain and smoke, and protects our natural resources.  Water conservation is a vital concern as well.

Electrical systems:  Retrofit light fixtures and exit signs; install motion detectors; encourage staff to use more natural light if applicable; use high energy efficient motors; install capacitor to correct low power factor issue; perform energy audit and utility bill audit; and kick-off an annual utility conservation campaign.

Water systems:  Install water flow restrictor on faucets and shower heads; install low water flow on urinal and flush valves and/or fixtures; install a drip system instead of lawn sprinkler system; plant more native plants and trees; and evaluate and test the waterless urinals.

HVAC system:  Upgrade HVAC systems and boiler controls; take advantage of free cooling in the spring and fall; replace some single-pane glass on old windows; install sun-reflective film or venetian blinds on windows; replace broken pipe insulations; specify high energy efficient equipment for replacement and on new projects; Install more water heaters per building instead of converting steam (from Heat Plant) to hot/heating water.

Roofing system:  Install more roof insulation under roofing material to reduce heat from the roof on any roofing replacement or new project.

If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Facilities Services by calling (785) 670-1860.