UAlbany Sustainability programs

UAlbany Sustainability programs

Presentation to G3 students

May 6, 2011

UAlbany Sustainability Programs

What is sustainability? Brundtland definition – 1987 UN commissioned report “meeting the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”

Not just “going green” or environmentally friendly Broader scope Mallia definition – “smarter and more efficient use of

our resources over the long term (20 + year time horizon)”

UAlbany Sustainability Programs Triple bottom line


The Need for Sustainability Cost savings (materials and avoiding carbon costs)

Green economy Energy independence Healthier environment

Executive Mandates EO 2, 4, 18, 24, 111, 134, 142 SUNY plan, new strategic plan Federal: EPACT, EPA requirement

UAlbany Sustainability Programs UAlbany commitments

Talloires Declaration American College and University Presidents’

Climate Committee (ACUPCC) Develop institutional structure Commit to interim actions Conduct GHG inventory within one year

UAlbany emitted 63,300 metric tonnes in 2009, 76% from energy and electricity

Develop carbon neutral action plan within two years Interim plan completed last summer

UAlbany Sustainability Programs Overview of UAlbany infrastructure

Establishment of Environmental Sustainability task force Created the Director of Environmental Sustainability and

Energy Manager as two stand alone, full time positions Formation of student group: UAlbany Students for

Sustainability Created student Sustainability Councils Created Sustainability coordinators program for faculty & staff Environmental sustainability housing New in fall: living, learning community


In addition, all areas of the University have begun to integrate sustainability into their practices

Emphasis is on collaborative efforts, individual actions that add up to a collective goal

Communication of progress and goals is essential At UAlbany, we use our go green website, sustainability

bulletins, student newsletter, alumni newsletter, UAlbany news, student newspaper and blast emails among our outlets to achieve this


Recycling Paper, commingled,

batteries, ink jet, electronics

Recyclemania Energy management

Dorm campaign, fake electric bills, office energy management, intersession shutdown

Green IT Power management

Alternative transportation UAlbany Shuttle, Free

CDTA bus lines, bike share, carpool and ride share programs starting

Waste management Give and Go program Electronics collection

days, shredding events Distribution of reusable

mugs and canvas totes to residents



Green purchasing Mandates on paper – 100%

post consumer recycled (office, janitorial and publications)

Energy star rated appliances

Community outreach Presentations to campus

and community groups Collaboration with

elementary schools

Healthy living Gyms in each quad, SEFCU

facilities, classes offered (SEFCU and EAP), nutritionist on campus

Food and dining Purchase of local food;

grass fed beef Elimination of trays Colonial quad dedicated to

healthy choice Fall farmer’s market



Sustainability housing One upperclassmen house on Colonial Freshman living learning community on

Indian Contract with expectations delineated

Calculate carbon footprint Participate in the implementation of one

campus wide program each semester Participate in the planning of one dorm

activity each semester

UAlbany Sustainability Programs Energy Programs

Energy campaigns – Dorm and Podium Competition against own baseline of

electricity use Savings are returned to the dorms, overall

goal set for podium Various programs to support this: energy

brochure, video, musical chairs in the dark, fake electric bills, CFL exchange, RA educational programs

5 campaigns have resulted in over $100,000 worth of savings in the dorms


Operational policies and procedures Temperature set point policy Intersession shut down Upgrading buildings (window replacement,

lighting) LEED certification Shift to hybrid, electric and off road vehicles

from traditional diesel or gas Solar panels Geothermal heating system


Empire Commons electricity bills Residents billed monthly on electricity use Lowest usage win reward

CFL exchange programs Received grant from National Grid Look for opportunities to donate old bulbs


UAlbany Sustainability Programs Recycling

Participate in Recyclemania Fliers reminding to recycle, did you know

posters Training seminar for RA’s Several RA programs on recycling Recycling bin shoot Returnable collection drive at home

basketball games and apartments (cans donated to local charity)



Sustainability Councils Goal of program is to communicate and

initiate sustainability programs throughout campus

Students apply for council and chair positions through the green scene web site

Chairs receive $500 stipend


UAlbany Sustainability Programs Give and Go program

Bins provided at each quad to collect items still usable but unwanted

Items collected, sorted and donated to local organizations Great way to divert waste and help the community

Closed loop paper towel purchase Our recycled paper at one point served as the raw material

for paper towels used in bathrooms

Clothing exchange on Earth Day Gently used clothing collected and exchanged within

campus community Remaining clothes donated



Closed loop paper towel purchase Our recycled paper at one point served as the raw

material for paper towels used in bathrooms (education campaign with this)

Alternative transportation offerings Car share (Connect by Hertz) Carpooling program Universal access to CDTA, UAlbany shuttle Bike sharing

Sustainability Programs and Businesses Operationally: How can a company and its units

support the goals of sustainability? Energy conservation strategies: office practices,

purchasing Waste reduction: elimination of paper, other waste,

sustainable meetings and events Recycling efforts: how to improve infrastructure and

availability of bins at events Ethic of corporate social responsibility Product stewardship, life cycle costing, triple bottom

line Responsibility to shareholders and public perception

Sustainability Programs and Businesses

Culturally How can management communicate the goals of

sustainability? Set targets, reinforce message, set up rewards

What types of informational material can be made available?

What types of benefits given to employees reinforce the goals?

How do corporate actions back up goals? Operationally Supply chain: product stewardship, packaging


Questions?

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Documents

UAlbany Sustainability programs