Sustainable University

Sustainable UF

Zero Waste
The University of Florida has a goal of zero waste by 2015. The current recycling rate is nearly 40% or over 6,000 tons of material annually. There are several waste stream diversions throughout campus such as: all yard waste generated on campus is re-purposed into mulch at a local recovery facility, dining services collects cooking-oil waste for recycling, and animal bedding in the Vet school is being decontaminated and composted for commercial forestry.

UF's sustainable culture is possible through the cooperation and commitment of individuals. Everyone's mindset must consider to recycle, lower consumption of disposable goods, reuse or share items, and purchase items with recycled content.

http://sustainable.ufl.edu/zero-waste/

Recycling and Reuse

The University Physical Plant Department (PPD) Solid Waste Management Office manages the collection and disposal of all solid waste generated throughout the University. Since, 2008, recycling bins and paper collection bins are placed throughout campus. The recycling program includes collection and recycling services for paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic, scrap metal, wooden pallets, concrete, masonry, yard waste, ink cartridges, electronics waste, furniture, office supplies, and "tailgator" game day recycling.

Waste Reduction

There are programs and websites that help you find ways to reduce costs, consolidate messages, and develop more sustainable paper habits. 

The UF Surplus Property makes available the purchase of usable materials such as furniture. 

Consumers are informed and given resources to take the best practice and strategy for waste reduction through purchasing, leasing, renting, as well as product take-back strategies.

UF is contracted with a private vendor to take-back and refill printer toner cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. 

Reducing envelope waste.

Sharing printers.

Placing large trash cans paired with recycling bins to reduce workload for cleaning staff and reduces use of plastic bags.

Donating, sharing, and trading of unneeded office supplies. 

Dining services switched all foam products to compostable alternatives. Reusable containers reused for food and drink reduce waste.

 A student-run operation educate UF students about the importance of food waste composting and even gives opportunities for students to compost their own food waste. 

Work with Environmental Health and Safety to track and safely dispose of all hazardous waste.

Terracycle Brigades

Terracycle is a program that coordinates national recycling systems for previously non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle waste, and converts the waste into a wide variety of productas and materials:

• Personal Care and Beauty Brigade®
• Colgate Oral Care Brigade®
• Cheese Packaging Brigade®
• Tortilla and Tostada Bag Brigade®
• Bear Naked® Brigade®
• Sprout Baby Food Pouches Brigrade®
• Cleaner Packaging Brigade®
• Packaging Multi-Stream Brigade®
• Huggies Brand Brigade®
• Hot Cereal Brigade®
• Candy Bar Wrapper Brigade®
• Energy Bar Wrapper Brigade®
• Drink Pouch Brigade®
• Lunch Kit Brigade®

Remember to Hold Your Breath!

Beijing is one of the most populated cities in China. It showcases some of the most spectacular architecture's of the world: The Forbidden Kingdom, The Great Wall, Beijing National Stadium, Linked Hybrid,  and the CCTV tower that had recently finished it's construction. The food, people, activities, and sights are plenty. Unfortunately the air is harmful. When my architecture class and I visited Beijing during the summer of 2011, the city was not as bad as the pictures below. There was never a blue sky within the two weeks of stay in Beijing. The air was dry, dirty, dusty, and most us found it hard to breath waking up to it. Look at pictures of the city now...it has gotten much worse!

In an article found on archdaily.com titled, "The Indicator: On a Clear Day You can Almost See Beijing," the title reveals it all. How can a new building looking to go green work with this burden? It is like a "sand storm," that layers the city with smog and dirt. According to the author, Guy Horton, the skies of Beijing has gotten worse due to the engines of economic development. Horton states that ten years ago there were fewer buildings, less dirty trucks that release smoke, less cars, which meant less pollution. He also found that certain districts of Beijing was reported to have and AQI(Air Quality Index) of above 900. The World Health Organization  says that the report of that air quality can potentially decrease your lifespan by five years. Horton investigates that, globally, roughly 40% of all power is produced using coal, 42% is produced in the US, and 79% is China. The future of Beijing doesn't look so bright either. It will continue to suffer. China will add 160 new coal-fired power plants for the next four years. Just look at Beijing now. Do they need more pollution?

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

http://www.archdaily.com/319419/the-indicator-on-a-clear-day-you-can-almost-see-beijing/

Who are the FGBC?

http://floridagreenbuilding.org/

FGBC encourages owners to make their buildings green and use sustainable strategies. Their mission is "to lead and promote sustainability with environmental, economic, and social benefits through regional education and certification programs." It is like another alternative to LEED certification and Green Globes. They have their own checklist of green characteristics and levels of achievement.

Case Study - Arbor Homes of Seagrove

-achieved a gold-level Florida Water star for water efficiency

-platinum-level green home by FGBC

-indoor air quality and comfort using heat pump with passive fresh-air ventilation system

-innovative storm water treatment to reduce runoff

'Buiding C'

Building C fulfills many of the LEED requirements. It is potentially one of the best examples for a LEED construction. It really takes advantage of the local resource, all while creating a sustainable building and emphasizes a healthy environment. Here are some of Building C's elements that defines it a green building as mention in the video:

Sustainable Site
The wood from the site were used for furniture. Roof top garden reduces heat island effect. White membrane increases reflectance and reduces solar heat. Bike racks and showers are included to promote biking to work.

Water Efficiency
All toilets and faucets are high efficient fixtures. Cisterns collect and store rainwater for later use in watering plants and toilets and urinals. Retention ponds are used for irrigation.

Energy and Atmosphere
Solar thermal system heats the hot water supply. Rotarys transforms outside air to fresh indoor air. Radiant floor heating are use to heat large rooms. The tinted windows reduces heat gain,

Materials and Resources
Locally sourced material are used to minimize shipping. Materials are recycled and recycled materials are used.

Indoor Environmental Quality
Low emission workplace. Lights are sensored for daily

Innovation and Design
The building is used as a teaching tool.

What are Green Globes?

http://www.thegbi.org/

Green Globes is an alternative to LEED. It is more business-friendly and affordable than it's competitor.   The Green Building Initiative (GBI) is exclusive provider of Green Globes Building Certification in the U.S. Many buildings that use the alternative when they were unable to be certified with LEED. "With GBI assessment and certification services, you can reduce operational costs, qualify for tax incentives, meet federal mandates, or increase the marketability o your buildings." Here is why anyone would pick one over the other...


http://www.thegbi.org/green-globes/green-globes-leed-green-building-certification.shtml 

Discover The Morris Arboretum

http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml

http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/hort_center.shtml

The Morris Arboretum is a platinum LEED certified building located at the University of Pennsylvania.  It contains 92-acres of gardens. There are 13,000 labeled plants, trees, and flowers. The school offers 20,840-sq. ft. of it's facility, that has about 100 classes available at this school.

The green elements of the building help educate students on the importance of protecting our natural resources. These elements include geothermal wells, green roofs, solar panels, air quality and interior finishes, interior lighting, water cisterns, recycled and/or salvaged construction materials.

Geothermal Wells: Provide clean energy technology for heating and air conditioning.

Green Roofs: A "living roof," that reduces a building's absorption of ambient heat, making it more cooler in the interior and more energy efficient.

Solar Panels: Contains sensors that will automatically dim the electric lights during bright days

Air Quality & Interior Finishes: Uses an under-floor air distribution to provide individual control of temperature and ventilation. Interior finishes are created by using low-VOC products the help reduce landfill, groundwater and ozone depletion

Interior Lighting: Uses natural daylight with skylights and roof monitors. Electric light dimmers are used during bright days to reduce energy use.

Water Cisterns: Collects and stores rainwater to use for hose bibs, hand watering , and other maintenance operations.

Recycled and/or Salvaged Construction Materials: Use of recycled or reuse of materials from the original site.

What is LEED?

http://new.usgbc.org/

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is based on the number of points a building receives to be considered a green building. There are many technical categories in which the points are offered in, the main credit categories are:


Sustainable sites: impact on ecosystems and water resources

Water efficiency: usage of water and preventing usage on bottled water

Energy & atmosphere: building energy performance

Materials & resources: sustainable building materials and waste reduction

Indoor environmental quality: indoor air quality, daylight, and views

Innovation in design: sustainable building

http://environmentalgeography.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/steps-and-tips-on-earning-leed-accreditation/

Depending on the number of points, there are four certification levels that may be achieved: Certified, Silver, Gold, and the most outstanding Platinum.

http://environmentalgeography.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/steps-and-tips-on-earning-leed-accreditation/

New construction, renovations, existing buildings,  commercial interiors,  core shells,  retail, schools homes, neighborhood development, and healthcare are the selected programs in which LEED certification apply.