Sustainability
Water Efficiency
Water an invaluable and precious resource is often taken for granted. The Department of Housing & Dining Services uses many strategies for reducing water use while increasing water efficiency. We have concentrated our efforts toward these goals when renovating buildings, repairing and/or replacing equipment and maintaining the landscape. Using these strategies has reduced water use as much as 50% and is instrumental in keeping utility cost down. Specific areas of attention are:
Energy & Atmosphere
Most of the energy used today originates from non-renewable sources. Conservation of energy in its various forms is not only cost effective but a smart approach to maintaining future options. The Department of Housing & Dining Services optimizes energy performance in its buildings through regular maintenance, renovations and the university wide building system commissioning programs. Utilizing these programs has reduced utility consumption, ozone depletion, pollution and the environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use. Here are the specifics:
Materials & Resources
Waste management and reusability are areas where the Department of Housing has taken recycling to the next level by serving as an ardent supporter of recycling “everything” through community partnerships, purchasing programs and reuse of existing materials. Tons of waste has been diverted from the landfill annually by incorporating these strategies. Here’s how:
Indoor Environmental Quality
The Department of Housing continuously works towards this goal with policy implementations, adopting new products as they become available and during renovations. The quality of life for both residents and employees has improved significantly from these endeavors.
- Controllability of Systems
- Backflow Prevention
- Green Housekeeping
- Indoor air Quality
- Thermal Comfort
- Smoking Policy
- Asbestos
