Enacting Sustainable Initiatives on Campus Plemmons Student Union Sustainability Initiatives Appalachian State University

Plemmons Student Union

Plemmons Student Union Summit Trail Solarium Passive Solar Heating South facing window wall, granite floors for heat retention, waterfalls add humidity

Water bottle refueling station

PSU Green signage encourages cooperation with sustainable initiatives

Water saving dual flush handles

.5 gallon per minute aerators replace 2.0 gallon aerators on 35 building sinks

Building lighting retrofit cost $21,000 in 2005, and saves $18,000 annually in energy costs—T-12 fluorescents to T-8s. CFLs installed in all lamps. Electro-magnetic ballasts replaced with electronic ballasts.

PSU recycling efforts tripled and installed in all meeting rooms.

This measure will definitely test patron’s commitment to campus Greening initiatives

Repainting projects use only Zero V.O.C. paints

46 Solar Thermal Panels for hot water heating being installed in summer ’09, paid for by campus REI fee Estimated cost $140,000, savings in steam costs: $10,840 per year. 13 year payback about 3 times normal**

The best “worst” job on campus

Hungry, anyone?

Food pulper preparing nutrients for campus composting: “From food to flowers”

Heavily used Sustainability Bulletin Board

Renewable Energy Initiative Kiosk

New Recycling Center

Now recycling DVDs, batteries, cell phones/chargers inkjet cartridges, plastic bags, CFLs, and club donations for non-profits

We bag CFLs before recycling to reduce risk of mercury contamination

Motivational facts about each recycled item

University Green initiatives Energy manager and recycling manager hired Signed Presidents Climate commitment Search underway for Director of Sustainability Campus wide energy audit performed Six lighting retrofits will save $345,565 over 10 years and reduce lighting energy by 35% in these buildings Energy performance contract RFP out to bid: will save $2 million+ over 12 years 2 leaks repaired, saving 100 million gallons of water a year Steam distribution repairs will reduce natural gas usage by 18.8%, or over $850,000 annually REI funded Biodiesel plant produces fuel for campus buses

ASU Greening Initiatives CAMPUS WIDE All food wastes from dining halls composted Edible leftovers donated daily to homeless shelter Green cleaning products in use campus wide Recycled 17% of solid wastes, or 447 tons, saving $20,129 in landfill tipping fees PLEMMONS STUDENT UNION PSU: Lights removed from vending machines saves about $300 per year, per machine PSU: Campus Sustainability Bulletin Board New addition to PSU to be LEED Gold

More PSU Greening Initiatives Sustainability Info Kiosk streaming live energy use data PSU Green Logo adopted New recycling drop-off for batteries, cell phones, CDs, plastic bags, etc. Lighting occupancy sensors HVAC automated system temp set back analysis under contract Low flow shower heads in fitness center Using 50% recycled content paper in copiers, 100% in printers Turn off computers and lights initiative

College Unions: Sustainability for tomorrow….today!