1. SUSTAINABILITY AT VIRGINIA TECH
A Presentation to the New and Transfer
Student Orientation Leadership Team
Office of Sustainability, Facilities Department
June 27, 2019

2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
AY Students ask university to make sustainability a campus priority
April 2007 – Establish Energy and Sustainability Committee (ESC)
April 2008 – ESC charged to develop Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan
April 22, 2009 (Earth Day) - University Council recommended approval of the VT Climate Action Commitment (VTCAC) and accepted the Sustainability Plan
June 1, Virginia Tech Board of Visitors unanimously approved the VTCAC
May 9, VTCAC revised (Presidential Policy Memorandum No. 262 Rev 1)

3. VT CLIMATE ACTION COMMITMENT
Contains 14 points with goals, targets, and objectives
VTCAC Point #5: Virginia Tech will maintain a Sustainability Office to:
Oversee implementation of VTCAC & Sustainability Plan
Track and report sustainability progress
Coordinate campus sustainability programs
Manage a campus-wide Student Internship Program
Coordinate communication for campus sustainability initiatives

4. VT CLIMATE ACTION COMMITMENT
Virginia Tech defines sustainability as:
“the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social justice and equity, through action, education, and engagement to address current needs without compromising the capacity and needs of future generations.”

5. SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
The US Green Building Council Introduced the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program to increase building efficiency, to reduce energy and water consumption, to use local building materials…
Virginia Tech will pursue LEED Silver Certification with all new buildings and major renovations (VTCAC Point #6)
Virginia Tech has registered 27 LEED projects since 2008 at 1.8 million gross sq. ft. (represents over 15% of our total building square footage)
Five Year Energy Action Plan - existing buildings (reduce GHGs)

6. CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
Recycling and Waste Management
VT uses a “Single Stream” recycling system
Goal is to achieve a 50% recycle rate (VTCAC Point #8)
100 Big Belly solar powered trash compactors and recycling containers
Single stream standard signage for campus and Town of Blacksburg

7. CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
Recycling and Food Waste
Single Stream: plastics (#1 and #2 only), paper, cardboard, pizza boxes, glass, aluminum and steel cans
Batteries: collection stations in several Residence Halls
Composted food waste in 11 dining halls (CY tons)
Clothing (torn, stained, ripped) can be taken to the YMCA on N. Main St. for textile recycling
Y-Toss Program during student Move Out

8. RECYCLING & WASTE MANAGEMENT
Recycling in the Residence Halls
Each room is provided with a blue handheld recycling container
Students take recycling and trash outside to available waste stations
Map can be found on Housing website:

9. GREENING YOUR LIFESTYLE
Turn off lights when you leave the room
Use power strips
Place computer in sleep mode when not in use
Wash your clothes with cold water and air dry your clothes when possible, if you do not have a full load of laundry, think about combining with your roommate
Use LED bulbs
Take shorter showers
Report water leaks to maintenance staff
Use reusable utensils, plates, and cups

10. REUSABLE TO-GO PROGRAM
DINING SERVICES
Dining Services Sustainability Focus Areas
Our free reusable to-go program reduces waste to landfill and allows you a sustainable way to eat on the go!
Homefield Farm & campus sourced produce for dining halls
“Farms” restaurant - Owens Food Court
Virginia Tech produced milk, campus sourced from the Dairy Science Complex
Dining Services is 100% Styrofoam free
Dining hall waste minimization
REUSABLE TO-GO PROGRAM
LOCAL & CAMPUS
FOOD SOURCING
WASTE MINIMIZATION
Mention the reusable to go program, the reusable spork that you can get from dining and the reusable water bottle/thermos.

11. GETTING AROUND CAMPUS Free BT service with your Hokie Passport
Commuter Alternative Transportation
Bus/Bike/Walk program
Carpool parking passes
Smart Way bus to Roanoke
Zipcar hourly ride rental on campus
Roam NRV Bike Share Program
Alternative Transportation Center
Hokie Bike Hub at Perry St. Parking Garage
Minor bike repair and maintenance

12. GETTING INVOLVED Internship Program Sustainability Week Earth Week
Sustainability Forums
Green RFP
Green Grads
Gobblerfest

13. STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Goal: Sustainable Behavior Change through Education, Outreach, Events, and Activities
Full academic year, 10 hour commitment per week
20 students serving on 4 Teams: Energy, Water, Food and Waste
Student Intern Program - Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award
Pop-Up Farmers Market on Drillfield
Tree Planting at Hillcrest Hall
Spring Game Green Tailgate
VT-RU Sustainability Seminar

14. GETTING INVOLVED Sustainability Week Program
VT Flagship Outreach Program – “Green Partnership” with the Town of Blacksburg and local citizens group “Sustainable Blacksburg”
Celebrates progress, educate students and citizens, and motivate people to take actions towards being a model green citizen
Model Town-Gown sustainability event (2008 Governor’s Award)

15. GETTING INVOLVED Earth Week Program
Events are organized and run by student groups and members of the community to bring awareness to Earth Day and sustainable practices
Week long program focusing on themes such as environmental justice, clean energy, nature and conservation, and community

16. GETTING INVOLVED Student Green RFP Program
Began Academic Year
Proposals must support VTCAC
81 proposals approved ($1 Million+)
LED lighting, Water Bottle Refill Stations, Solar Tables, Bike Racks, Single Stream Recycle Containers

17. Virginia Tech is Committed to be a Campus Sustainability Leader
Students have and can make a difference!
Get involved in Sustainability Programs
Student Internship Opportunities
Dining Services provides many sustainable food options
CY2018: Waste Management Trends Upward
40% recycling rate
70% waste diversion rate (kept out of landfill)
679 tons of composted food waste

18. CONTACT INFORMATION
Jon Clark Teglas, Assistant to the Associate Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer
See you at Gobblerfest 2019 on Sep 6
Denny Cochrane, Director of Sustainability
Vacant, Sustainability Manager
Kate Franczek, Graduate Assistant
Blake Bensman, Sustainability Manager, Student Affairs
Office of Sustainability website: