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News from the CU Environmental Center November 2007
Green Teams | Sustainable CU | 100,000 Pennies for Your Thoughts | Greening the Pack | America Recycles Day – Nov. 15 | From Here to There. And On to the Mountains. | What's Happening: Upcoming Events | Green Living Tip

Greetings!

Enjoy the monthly update from the CU Environmental Center. Please let us know if you have ideas, input, feedback or news.

Green Teams  

Students Talking to Students About Sustainability

Now through the middle of November teams of CU students are visiting students residing in the Goss Grove and University Hill neighborhoods. The teams will be giving students free energy-saving light bulbs and information about how saving energy will reduce their impact on climate change and lower their energy bills. They're also educating students about changes to the City's recycling services as well as the benefits of recycling.
With funding by the City of Boulder, the University of Colorado-Boulder Environmental Center has created two distinct "green teams” focused on energy and recycling.

These teams are effective in getting information to students because it is students themselves who are speaking about the issue.

"City workers can't relate to students the way other students can,” says Rob Hall, Energy Program Manager at the CU Environmental Center. "And students are just more credible to other students when they're trying to get their peers to change behavior.”

The collaboration between the City and CU arises out of their shared goals to reduce the emissions causing climate change and to reduce waste and conserve resources through increased recycling rates. The City of Boulder has set ambitious and ground-breaking goals on the issue of climate change, waste reduction, and resource conservation.
since homes makes up a large percentage of the city's energy use the city is putting resources into helping homeowners and renters reduce energy use.

By the spring of 2008, the Boulder County Recycling Center will be able to handle "single-stream” recycling, allowing residents to mix their recyclables together in one bin. Because most people are used to separating bottles and cans from newspaper, recycling green teams will be educating students of this change. And soon, if the City Council approves a plan to do so, Boulder residents may be able to put yard and food waste in curbside collection for composting instead of landfilling.

While the changes will make recycling and composting more convenient, it will require education to change people's habits.  The energy green team message is two-fold: that saving energy reduces climate change emissions and saves students money on their energy bills.

"The first challenge is getting students to understand the connection between their energy use and climate change,” says Hall. "Once they learn there are also immediate benefits of more money in their pockets, it's hard for them to see a reason not to at least do something.”

Hall says most students believe climate change is happening and that it is serious, but that they are unaware their electricity, heating or hot water are part of the cause. He says a lot of students think climate change is only caused by cars.

Energy materials distributed focus on free or very inexpensive actions students can take to reduce their energy, that Hall says, most students are not aware of. These range from no-cost actions, like setting computers to go to sleep or checking for leaky refrigerator doors, to low-cost actions like using energy-saving light bulbs. "We're not asking students to make large sacrifices to save energy. There are a lot of ‘no-brainer' actions that really add up in energy savings over time.”

There are many inexpensive actions landlords can also do in the homes that will save renters energy. And since most renters pay their own energy bills, they have an incentive to ask their landlords to do them.

"A lot of students are reluctant to ask their landlords to do anything except fix broken things. But for less than $60 a landlord can help a renter save many times more on their energy bills.”

As an example, Hall says putting an insulating water heater "blanket” on the water tank costs about $20 and takes a half hour but can save students almost twice that in less than a year. Replacing dirty furnace filters, which makes heating systems use more energy, cost about $20 and take only a few minutes to install. Filters should be replaced at least once a year, Hall says.

Energy green teams are also providing residents with free compact fluorescent light bulbs ( "CFLs”) to replace their conventional, round incandescent bulbs. CFLs use only 25% of the electricity of incandescents to provide the same amount of light and are one of the easiest and quickest ways to immediately start saving energy in the home. The City has funded these CFLs for residents through its dedicated "Climate Action Plan” fund collected from a small tax applied to every unit of electricity used in Boulder.

Just as energy savings add up over time, so do the resources saved by recycling. The recycling green teams educate students about the recycling benefits beyond conserving natural resources like trees, metals, and oil. Recycling also saves energy and greenhouse gases because it takes less energy to capture recyclables and turn them back into usable products than it does to harvest the virgin materials and process them into the same products.

For students currently without recycling services, the recycling green teams will be showing students how to set up in their houses. For most single family houses, recycling bins can be added to trash collection at no extra charge. In a structure called "Pay as You Throw,” homes will lower their trash bills by decreasing their trash by increasing their recycling, which is free in Boulder. Since most students don't pay their own trash bills, they should ask their landlords to add recycling bins to trash collection service. This service is free to single-family homes,­ including rental properties.

Students have responded positively to visiting green teams.

"Our teams have been welcomed by enthusiastic students who are excited and willing to learn how they can save money by helping the environment,” says Scott Gaston, energy green team student coordinator. "It has been very worthwhile for me to be able to talk to students face to face and help them understand the correlation between their energy use and climate change.”

More off-campus student resources can be found at: ecenter.colorado.edu/offcampus

Additional Information: http://ecenter.colorado.edu/green_teams/index.html#pr

Sustainable CU  

Fall Environmental Improvement Initiative Projects 

In the spring of 2005, students voted on the Sustainable CU Referendum which dedicates $2.80/student/semester to implement on-campus projects incorporating renewable energy, energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, and other innovative projects to reduce the campus impact on climate and environment. Sustainable CU funds will be used for: capital investment, the purchase of infrastructure necessary for the initiatives, installation of capital projects, educational displays related to the capital projects, and any other non-staff operating costs associated with the initiatives. The fund, administered by the Environmental Center, provides approximately $157,000 annually.

The following Sustainable CU projects will be administered during the Fall 2007 semester:

Bruce Campbell Art Project
Artist Bruce Campbell will create a recycled sculptural installation using salvaged materials from CU's construction and demolition process. The artwork will be displayed on campus, demonstrating CU's commitment to environmental protection and exemplifying closed-loop recycling.

Mobile Billboards
The blank space on the side of CU recycling vehicles will be used to promote recycling. These vehicles drive around campus all day, providing an opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of recycling.

Smart Strip Surge Protectors
This project is a pilot program testing the effectiveness of smart strip surge protectors inside dorm rooms. The surge protectors can be set to turn on and off at specific times, resulting in substantial energy savings.

Solar-Electric Recycling Vehicle Conversion
This project will transform an existing recycling vehicle into an educational, solar-electric vehicle that will continue to collect recyclable materials.

Composting Bins for UMC
The capacity of the composting program in the UMC kitchen will be increased.

Zero-waste Bins in Glenn Miller Ballroom
Three permanent recycling structures will be installed in the Glenn Miller ballroom in order to facilitate zero-waste events and increase diversion rates in the UMC.

Folsom Field Wind Project
Six wind turbines will be installed on the Folsom Field stadium as a highly visible demonstration project to show the viability of using wind turbines on the CU campus.

Occupancy Sensor Lighting Units
Occupancy sensors will be installed inside classrooms within the Hellems. Energy will be saved by ensuring lights are turned off when rooms are not in use. The engineering student group, SEVEN, will monitor the success of the program in order to determine the viability of developing similar projects in other buildings on campus.

100,000 Pennies for Your Thoughts  

Focus the Nation Essay Contest 

Focus the Nation is coordinating teams of faculty and students at over a thousand colleges, universities and K-12 schools in the United States, to collaboratively engage in a nationwide, interdisciplinary discussion about "Global Warming Solutions for America." Focus the Nation will culminate January 31, 2008, in the form of national symposia held simultaneously at over one thousand venues across the country.

As part of the University of Colorado at Boulder's contribution to Focus the Nation Day, the CU Environmental Center and the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies is sponsoring an interdisciplinary essay contest. This is students' chance to get involved and participate in this historic national event.

The committee is looking for essays from the next generation of people who will have to live and work with climate change as a reality. A $1,000 scholarship, and the invitation to speak at the capstone event on Focus the Nation Day, will be awarded to the winning essay in each category. All essays will be considered for publication on the Sustainable Practices online community. In order to encourage essays from a broad range of perspectives, the committee will accept essays in the four categories:

Policy and Technology- including but not limited to the role of government, science, research and development, educational institutions, political movements and NGOs, etc.

Motivating Change- including but not limited to finding the right message and the right medium, getting people to care, creating international support, moving beyond the fatalistic viewpoint, re-localization and community building, and celebrating the transformative potential of climate change, etc.

Business Obligations and Opportunities in Response to Climate Change- including but not limited to how to remain profitable while addressing climate change, using the economy to combat climate change, new business sectors and opportunities for carbon mitigation, corporate responsibility and global business approaches, etc.

Creative and Cultural Expression on Climate Change- This catch-all category allows participants to express their viewpoints outside of the prescribed categories above. Surprise us with the connections between climate change and your academic discipline.

Papers must be written within the context of one of these categories, and the category must be indicated on the title page. The word count for submissions should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words. Essays will be judged on good writing, sound arguments, innovative ideas and adherence to submission guidelines. All essays must be submitted electronically to FTNessay@colorado.edu no later than midnight on January 14th, 2008.

In addition to the four $1000 scholarships, the committee is hoping to add additional prizes from local associations and merchants. By participating in this contest, applicants are agreeing to allow CU's Division of Continuing Education to publish their essay in educational and promotional contexts. For submission details and more information please visit: http://www.colorado.edu/ContinuingEducation/sustainable/focusthenation.htm

Additional Information: http://ecenter.colorado.edu/focus_the_nation/index.html#essay

America Recycles Day – Nov. 15  

Recycling Update 

Did you know that in 2005, American consumption led to 245 tons of waste that had to be disposed of somewhere (levels reported by the EPA)? What does "245 tons" mean? It means enough waste to fill the Superdome in Louisiana 730 times. That's significant.

That same year, America recycled 79 tons of the total 245 tons of waste produced. That means that 32% of the waste was diverted from the landfills and turned back into usable resources.

However, another EPA statistic states that 60% of all waste is "readily recyclable," which means it's easy to recycle. Recycling for materials like glass, plastic, aluminum and paper fibers has already been established and is commonplace in many communities, include the CU Campus. Like the overall American trend, the University of Colorado at Boulder is only recycling about one third of its waste. Since 60% of all waste is easy to recycle, approximately 30% of our waste is not being recycled.

America Recycles Day is nationally recognized to help increase awareness of recycling in order for more people to adopt better recycling practices. To help increase recycling rates on campus and in the US, please take the America Recycles Day pledge at: www.americarecyclesday.org

For America Recycles Day on campus, there will be a Recycled Art Display on the Hellems Lawn from Nov 12th through Nov 16th. On Nov 15th, from 11-4, the CU Recycling Program will be holding a "Reusable Items Giveaway" event, so stop by to get some free stuff including office supplies, record bowls, books, Pixie Mate, and more. Also stop by to sign the America Recycles Day Pledge and get a free reusable mug donated by Leanin Tree.

Recycling On Campus is Easier Than Ever
We have recently installed 32 new outdoor recycling containers in many high traffic areas. Look for the extra recycling containers next to the existing black trash cans that are located all over campus.

Also, we have installed 20 new recycling stations near various class rooms. This is indented to make it easier to recycle as you are leaving your class. Remember to carry your empty beverage containers and unwanted papers to the recycling stations located just outside you classroom. It is a small effort that adds up to make a big difference!

Athletics is Helping to Recycle
The CU Athletic department is taking steps toward a Zero Waste environment. The first steps have been to purchase 75 new recycling barrels for the events at Folsom Stadium. Look for these new yellow barrels at the next football game you go to and make sure your empty beverage container ends up there and not in the trash!

The next step for Athletics is to implement recycling in the Coors Events Center, which should be happening over the course of the basketball season. Keep an eye out for yellow recycling bins there as well. We well keep you posted when the are ready for use.

Eco Star Challenge
A competition between the residence halls on campus has been launched to see which hall can be the most sustainable. Competition areas include recycling, energy savings, water conservation, and steam usage. If you recycle more that your hall did last year, you could be an Eco Star! For more information, visit: ecenter.colorado.edu/ecostar/

Green Gift Giving
This Holiday Season, make sure to "Give Green” by being a conscious consumer. Choose gifts that have less packaging, are energy efficient, are durable or recyclable, and are from companies that have less impact on our great planet. Wrap your gifts in old cloth scraps, newspaper, or recycled wrapping paper from past years. Buy materials that made with recycled content to "Close the Loop.” Remember that your choices do make a difference. You are "voting with your dollar” when you purchase products from a company. By showing that you demand these "Green” products, companies will start producing more "Green” products to meet the demand. This is how change is made.

From Here to There. And On to the Mountains.  

Transportation Update 

Bicycle Parking Census and Renovation Plan

The Environmental Center, in partnership with Parking and
Transportation Services, completed the first ever census of bicycle
parking supply on October 10, 2007.

All bicycles parked at the University in a snapshot in time were counted. Per the research, there are 8827 bicycle parking spaces on campus, 4130 at Housing locations and the remaining 4697 at classroom, administrative and other campus buildings. In those racks, there were 6105 total bicycles parked, at an aggregate utilization percentage of 69%.

The census is the first of an annual study that will complement bicycle planners on campus in renovating and expanding bicycle parking supply. The current plan, which outlines renovations for main campus (non-housing) locations, is a four-year partnership agreement, to renovate and expand $300,000 worth of bicycle parking facilities, targeting 190 sites on campus and adding at least 460 standard bicycle parking spaces to campus. In addition, this plan includes funding for "enhanced" bicycle parking facilities, which include lockers, cages, valet parking, covered parking, bike barns and bike corrals. For more information on the census and plan, contact Peter Roper at 303-492-6486 or bicycle@colorado.edu

The Ski Bus is running!

Starting Saturday, Nov. 10, the Ski Bus will enter its 2007-2008 season. The Ski Bus is better than ever before, featuring enhanced customer service, breakfasts and exciting promotions. Also new this year, riders can purchase tickets starting now, for the entire season, at a 50% quantity discount in 10- ride punch cards.

The Ski Bus alternates between Keystone and Breckenridge each weekend, running to one resort each Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10, and for sold-out dates, you can purchase any available no-show seats at the time of departure. For information and dates, please visit www.cuskibus.com.

Announcements

The Bike Station will close Friday, November 16, 2007. For winter bicycle maintenance assistance, use the Mobile Mechanic Service (free) at 303-882-6348.

Request bicycle parking online at http://www.colorado.edu/bicycleprogram.

Find RTD SkyRide schedules at http://www.rtd-denver.com/skyRide

Greening the Pack  

CU-Boulder Receives Top 25 Ranking By Sustainable Endowments Institute 

The University of Colorado at Boulder has been named one of the nation's 25 most sustainable campuses by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, which, on October 24, issued its 2008 College Sustainability Report Card evaluating campus sustainability policies at 200 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

The University of Colorado received an overall grade of B- and was designated a Campus Sustainability Leader. CU-Boulder won straight A's in all campus operations and administrative categories including administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building and transportation.

Of the top 25 universities, only Harvard and the universities of Washington and Vermont received A- scores. CU-Boulder is the only Big 12 school on the leaders list.

"I am gratified by our presence among these national environmental leaders in higher education," said G.P. "Bud" Peterson, chancellor of CU-Boulder. "We have a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment at all levels at our university. In the years to come I expect our campus to make even more strides in these and other areas and to be at the head of the class among American universities when it comes to sustainability."

The report assessed 39 indicators, from green building initiatives to recycling programs to endowment investment policies, and used an A to F letter-grading system to evaluate performance.

"The Environmental Center is proud of the national recognition of CU's sustainability leadership that comes from decades of hard work and the many partnerships and collaborations between students, faculty and the administration," said David Newport, director of CU-Boulder's Environmental Center. "This is a great honor and testament to forward-thinking CU leaders and students, past and present—and we'll need even more in the future."

The report applauded the chancellors of all three CU campuses for signing a climate neutrality pledge for their campuses. The report also cited CU-Boulder's student government for pledging climate neutrality in student-run buildings—making CU students the first in the nation to commit to this goal.

The 2008 analysis is the second edition of the Report Card, which examines campus and endowment sustainability policies at 200 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada with the 200 largest endowments. The schools are located in 44 states, the District of Columbia and four Canadian provinces.

The top 25 list includes Arizona State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Duke University, Harvard, MIT, Yale, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, Santa Clara University and the universities of British Columbia, California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, among others.

Data collection for the report took place from June through September 2007. For the five sections related to campus management—administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building and transportation—information was gathered first from publicly available documentation.

Surveys then were sent to each school eliciting additional information. CU-Boulder was one of 176 schools that responded to the institute's e-mailed survey.

Policies were reviewed at 129 private institutions with $251 billion in combined endowment assets and at 71 public institutions with $92 billion in combined endowment assets. The total endowment assets of the schools equal more than $343 billion.

The 200 schools evaluated include a mix of large and small institutions of higher education. Together they serve more than 4 million currently enrolled students.

The purpose of the Report Card is to provide accessible information so that schools can learn from each other's experiences, fostering more effective sustainability policies.

The Report Card can be viewed on the Endowment Institute Web site at www.endowmentinstitute.org/sustainability/embargoed.html.

What's Happening: Upcoming Events  

• November 12 - Break Through: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility By Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger. 2:30pm, Wittemyer Courtroom, Wolf Law Building. Shellenberger and Nordhaus, authors of the controversial 2004 essay The Death of Environmentalism, discuss their new book in which they articulate a new politics for a new century, one focused on aspirations, not complaints, human possibility, not limits. For more information see http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu
  
• November 15 - America Recycles Day
• November 30 - Campus Sustainability Roundtable. 10am-12pm followed by lunch discussion, UMC 245.

To view the complete events calendar, click here

Green Living Tip  

Tofurkey Day

The Pilgrims ate pasture-raised and organic at the first Thanksgiving; why not follow tradition? Purchasing a pasture-raised, organic turkey this Thanksgiving will give you the true natural flavors of the holiday.

Hey veg-heads: feel a little left out on Turkey Day? You're not alone: that's why tofurkey (meatless turkey) was invented. Stick one in the oven this November 23rd. Bonus: You're less apt to doze off during the football game.

(Source: www.idealbite.com)

  Contact the CU Environmental Center email: ecenter@colorado.edu phone: 303-492-8308 web: http://ecenter.colorado.edu Join our mailing list!