Sustainability @ the
University of Rochester

More Go Green Tips

2013

Earth Day: Introducing the Dash for Trash

Spring is finally here, and that means it’s almost time for Earth Day! 

Preliminary Energy Study Shows Promise

Earlier this academic year when Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) approached the University of Rochester on participating in an energy study, the University eagerly accepted the opportunity.

Academic Options in Sustainability

New courses that address environmental sustainability have been developed in other departments across Arts, Sciences and Engineering.

Built for the Future: Raymond F. LeChase Hall

The new home of the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development was built with regard to the principles and practices of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The University Council on Sustainability

After deciding on which initiatives to address, the Council breaks down into small working groups to accomplish projects.

Strong Memorial Hospital: Café Renovation

For the café, the design as a whole was energy conscious and changes were only made if it was clear they would save energy.

Ready, Set, RecycleMania!

We hope that the break has rejuvenated you with enough energy to trounce the competition in the intercollegiate annual recycling tournament, RecycleMania!

2012

Old-Growth Forest: Rochester’s Hidden Treasure

What is not quite as known to most is that South Campus is also home to an ecologically rich, biodiverse old-growth forest.

Green Tips for the Holiday Season

Did you know the holidays are also one of the most wasteful times of the year?

New Equipment for Strong Environmental Services

Diversey, while based in the United States, is more well-known in Europe for its environmentally friendly products and innovative designs. 

O’Brien Hall: A Triumph in Environmental Design

Every facet of the design of O’Brien Hall, the first dormitory built since 1968, was considered with regards to the environment and student well-being.

E-Cycle Day Returns

Do you know what to do with those household electronics cluttering up your drawers and cabinets? University Facilities and Services has the answer!

Grant Awarded for Hutchison Laboratory

The grants are intended to provide a financial incentive for the owner to install energy efficient equipment.

Eastman School of Music Recycling Update

Receptacle recycling at Eastman has been overhauled in time for the new academic year.

Clothesline Festival is Going Green

This year, the Clothesline Festival is going green, with a solar powered water station, Ranger Recycling stations, a bicycle valet, and more!

Second Annual Shred Fest Tears through Previous Records for Recycling

“Over seven years worth of collected documents are in my trunk!” remarks an enthusiastic participant at the 2012 Shred Fest.

Strong Innovation: Cooling Pack Reuse Program

Axel Kairies, Administrative Assistant at the Blood Bank, witnessed many wasted cooling packs. He and other co-workers would remark, “Well, that’s a shame! Really wish somebody could do something about that!”

Fourth Annual Move-out Cleanout Surpasses Last Year’s Results

In order to have some good clean fun (no pun intended), collection bins were individually monitored to see which campus housing locations would bring in the most goods.

Shred Fest 2012

The Shred Fest provides the perfect opportunity to protect both your identity and the environment in a single go!

Recycling Data Reveals Significant Improvements in University Recycling

An extensive tracking database charting recycling rates has been developed. Keeping track of all this information is no easy feat!

Chiller Modernization Project: Chilling Out on Pollution

In the case of the University's Central Utilities plant, its great power comes with great responsibility.

RecycleMania 2012: From Good to Better

It’s time to take a moment to celebrate the University of Rochester‘s fine performance in RecycleMania 2012.

Localize it for Earth Day 2012

Two students, freshman Alice Chen and senior Edith Hanson, have taken the lead in spearheading this special series of events.

Chipping Towards a Sustainable Future

The good news is that technology like the Grounds wood chipper, which finely shreds brush into chips, can drastically cut down on waste.

Sustainable Living: Rochester’s Newest Green Interest Housing Group

GreenSpace is the University of Rochester’s first special interest housing opportunity dedicated for students who wish to live a sustainable lifestyle. 

Recognizing a Green Star at URMC

Joan Shikowitz is a perfect example of how one person can make a difference.

Composting: The Future of Food Waste

The University currently composts about 2.2 tons of food waste per week with a total of nearly 27 tons collected from August through December.  This system prevents all of this waste from going to a landfill!

From Yellowjackets to Recyclemaniacs

Fierce competition, distinguished rankings… and recycling? That is exactly what Recyclemania is all about!

Outdoor Recycling Comes to the University of Rochester Medical Center

What better way to celebrate the coming of 2012 but with a new sustainable addition to the Medical Center?

Strong Memorial Hospital: Café Renovation

For the café, the design as a whole was energy conscious and changes were only made if it was clear they would save energy.

Salute for Sustainability: University of Rochester Acknowledged with Three Separate Awards

In its most successful year yet, the University won these three separate awards for excellence in the area of sustainability.

2011

Holiday Cheer for You and the Environment

You can “green” your holiday season in three easy steps.

Small Choices, Big Impact: The Effect of Facilities Materials Management on Sustainability

Thanks to the green choices made by Materials Management, sustainability is routinely part of our daily lives.

Sustainability that Computes: Fourth Annual E-Cycle Day a Success!

It’s not typical to see 31,482 pounds of TV’s, computers, printers, microwaves, and electric burger makers parked right across from you.

Gone Green! The U of R Wins EPA Award

We are extremely proud to announce that the University is a winner of the 2011 Gold Achievement award in the category of Public Education and Outreach. 

Are you Sustain-A-Bowl? The Newest Student Sustainability Competition

Grassroots is hosting the Sustain-A-Bowl competition – a contest between residence halls to find out who is the most sustainable.

Reduce, Reuse, E-Cycle! Time Again for the Annual Electronics Recycling Event

What happens when you want to recycle something like a computer, a cell phone, or a TV? On Friday, October 28th, the University will be accepting used, broken, and unwanted household electronics to be recycled.

Greener Textbook Options Take the Guesswork out of Homework

With textbook rentals and eTextbooks, students are offered options that are kinder to the environment, as well as their pocketbooks.

Anderson & Wilder Receive Energy Star Certification

The University of Rochester is qualifying two dorms, Anderson and Wilder Towers, as Energy Star certified buildings.

Hybrid Hype: Putting Green into Gear

The University is home to an ever-expanding fleet of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

Rochester's First Shredding Event a Success

In this pilot event, staff and faculty from any and every department made an appearance, breathing a sigh of relief as their personal information was kept safe from modern-day dangers.

Sustainability “Likes This”

Next time you log onto Facebook or browse the Internet, looking for something to catch your attention, remember: you can receive updates on green news, faster than you can say, “sustainability.”

Protect Your Identity and the Environment at the Personal Documents Roundup on July 15th

During this event, all University staff and faculty are invited to bring in their personal documents from home to be disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Find out when and where.

Progress in Energy Efficiency Projects Pays Off

The University's mission to both measure and reduce overall energy consumption is paying off in real dollar savings.

Third Annual Move-out Cleanout a Success

The Move-out Cleanout, in conjunction with Dump & Run, reduces the massive amounts of unnecessary waste typical during student move-out each year. Read this year's impressive numbers. 

All Aboard UR’s Biodiesel Bus Program

If you look a little harder, you can see the continued effort it takes to make the biodiesel bus program run smoothly.

Positive Numbers: The Skinny on Monroe County’s June 1st Recycling Expansion

Starting June 1, Monroe County expands its recycling criteria for both plastics and metals.

Saunders Research Building: LEEDing the Way Toward Sustainability

Architects, engineers, and construction workers have worked to provide an ideal setting for research, while constructing a green building. Learn about the green features in this new building.

Go Green for Earth Day

Earth Day is a day to honor planet Earth and appreciate all that it has given to us. It is also a day to reflect and think about what we can do to help preserve and protect our treasured planet. Two years ago, on Earth Day 2009, the University of Rochester launched its Go Green Pledge in effort to inspire individual members within the University community to become an active part in the efforts to become a more sustainable institution.

Recyclemania: Recycle Right into Spring!

Aside from the inevitable onset of spring, we have even more to be excited about, and that is the halfway point of Recyclemania! 

How to Conserve Energy Like a Pro

No matter what the weather throws our way, it is important to always be conscious of ways to save energy.

University’s Recycling Rate Reaches a Record High

The total recycling percent has steadily been growing since 2006 when it was only 12.7%. Read how we're doing now!

RecycleMania: Let’s Get Ready to Recycle!

It’s that time of year again…no, not Spring Break. It’s time for RecycleMania!

Going Green with University Mail Services

By rethinking routes, and trying a walking route, Mail Services is now able to serve a larger community with less fuel.

Waste Minimization Steering Commitee

Committee meetings are open to members of the University community, and active participants are welcome to attend.

2010

White Outside, Green Inside!

It’s time to think about the upcoming holiday and what you can do to make the holiday Green.

3rd Annual E-waste Recycling Event a Success!

Our turnout was so popular the Sunnking truck was filled five separate times. Read more about this tremendously productive event.

Stop, Drop, and Recycle Medical Supplies

Thanks to a partnership between the University of Rochester Medical Center and the local non-profit InterVol, unused medical supplies can be redistributed to countries and people who need them.

Rechargeable Batteries for a Brighter World

While rechargeable batteries require more of an initial investment, for most uses they will pay for themselves in a short amount of time. We can even recycle them! Increase your rechargeable batteries IQ.

Inkjet Cartridge Recycling? Where!?

Did you know you can drop off used cartridges - by mail?

E-Waste Recycling Event

Sunnking will providefree environmentally responsible disposal and recycling at this annual disposal event.

The Green UR Online Experience

The University has been exploring social media tools for quite some time now.

Outdoor Recycling Begins!

University Facilities & Services is trying a few different outdoor recycling models across campus.Check 'em out for yourself. 

Giving New Life to a Plastic Bottle

Ever wonder how those plastic bottles you faithfully recycle get processed? Wonder no more!

New Recycling Containers Arrive

Watch for the arrival of a new recycling bin near you.

Finding Funding Sources for Sustainability Projects

One of the biggest challenges to overcome in renovating or constructing buildings to be more sustainable is finding the funding to make projects possible.

WasteWise Partnership

To help track our waste output, the University has joined the more than 2000 other members of the EPA’s WasteWise program.

Green Cleaning

Through smart purchasing and smart teaching, all across the UR cleaning is getting greener everyday.

Greenwashing

If a company claims to be “green,” look below the surface and read the fine print. 

Moved Out, Cleaned Out

“Move out Cleanout,” expanded for 2010 was even more successful than expected. Read the numbers here.

LED Lighting in the IT Center

Notice something different in the IT Center of Rush Rhees Library? Here’s a hint: look up! 

RecycleMania 2010 Results Posted

The results of RecycleMania are in, and the University of Rochester made a strong showing this year!

MC Green Floors

Now, instead of using floor stripper, Environmental Service workers at the School of Medicine and Dentistry use a chemical-free floor stripping machine.

Ink Cartridge Recycling

Next time you go to change the ink or toner cartridge on your personal or office printer, don’t just throw away the empty one. 

Support Earth Hour

This Saturday, March 27, Earth Hour will once again sweep across the world, from one time zone to the next. Join us by turning off the lights in your home from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

RecycleMania Update

So far, the University of Rochester is scoring well, but we need everyone on board for a final push to victory!

LEED Green Associate

Robert Maloney is studying for an important test. However, Robert is no student—he's a project coordinator for Planning & Project Management—and he's preparing for the LEED AP Building Design & Construction exam as a LEED Green Associate.

UR Mortgage Program

Did you know that the University sponsors a mortgage program for homes in the 19th Ward and the South Wedge? Consider the benefits of living near the University.

Recyclemania!

Support our students, support our University, and support our environment: participate in Recyclemania 2010!

Microform Recycling

Some microforms may have sensitive or confidential information on them, and cannot simply be thrown away. Find out how to get them recycled securely.

2009

E-Recycling Report

This year’s annual Electronics Collection intake more than doubled last year’s total. Find out more. 

Outside, Green Inside

Like leaving home, leaving the office for vacation merits a bit of preparation. Check these going-away reminders.

Recycling in Flaum Atrium

A team of dedicated staff, led by Recycling Coordinator Amy Kadrie, has worked for months to make sure that the highest quality containers were put in the most convenient and safest spots possible in Flaum Atrium. Find them and use them! 

Winter Energy Prescriptions

The University's temperature guidelines are an important part of helping to reduce our energy bill. Like last winter, temperatures are again being set to 68°F, the nationally recognized standard for winter heating. Warm up to the indoor weather with these tips.

Zip Around Town with Zipcars™

The Zipcar program is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint by driving less and reducing the number of cars on the road. Learn more about this great car sharing service. 

Electronics Collection Day

Do you have old computers, laptops, telephones or other electronic equipment sitting around your basement, garage, or dorm room? Students and employees can bring anything—from old laptops to children’s old remote control cars—to Electronics Collection Day on October 30. Read more about disposing of old devices safely and at no cost to you.

Keep Your Bike Secure This Fall

As the summer winds down, there’s still plenty of time for bicycling. For students and staff alike, it’s a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around. So for those of you with bikes, and for some without, here’s some helpful information.

Greece Park-n-Ride

If you live in or around Greece, the Park-n-Ride is a great way to get to work.  For only $1 each way, it saves you the hassle of rush-hour traffic, as well as saving money in gas, car wear and no longer needing a parking permit! Read more about Greece Park-n-Ride.

Water Refill Stations

Thanks to the support of students, the River Campus will be installing gooseneck-spigots on 18 water fountains. The only thing one has to do with a refillable water bottle is.. refill it! The gooseneck-spigots are designed to help you do just that. Learn more about the new water bottle refill stations on campus.

Green Your Meetings

If there is a constant in the workplace, it’s almost certainly meetings. The calculation is staggering when determining the amount of time spent in them! That enormity is topped only by the amount of food and paper waste associated with these scheduled blocks. However, meetings needn’t be the resource depleters that they have become. Here are some simple tips for attending and holding a green meeting.

Surplus Property Program

Where can an individual or department get furniture for less? No, it's not your local big-box store, it's the University's Surplus Property Program! Read on for the history and to see when and where you can buy plus details about an upcoming sale.

Heating Solution Yields a Greener Gallery

Sometimes innovation turns a problem into a green opportunity. That’s just the case at the Memorial Art Gallery where last summer a leaky heat exchanger forced Facilities to shut off the two boilers used in their reheat loop, and some quick thinking allowed the gallery to save thousands of dollars on their utilities budget with no consequences to their collection. Learn about the MAG's greener heating system.

Spotlight on the Arboretum

Spring has finally arrived, and the trees across campus are in their flowery glory. Take some time to stroll the Arboretum, and even schedule a tour with Dan Schied, Manager of Horticulture and Grounds.Learn about the Arboretum and scheduling a tour.

“CLO” and You: The Science of Human Comfort

It’s obvious: lighter clothes are cooler in the summer. But did you know there’s actually a science behind it? Check out the full article.

Five Ways to 'Go Green' on Campus

Interested in “going green”? Here are five places to start.    READ MORE...

February 2009

• Think Twice Before Opening That Door
• Energy Use Takes a Winter Break
• Dialing Back the Thermostats
• Powering Down Idling Computers

Simple Steps Add Up

The University is depending on everyone to look for simple ways to save. Maybe that means shutting off your lights and computer monitor when leaving the office for 30 minutes or more. Perhaps you close your blinds at night to retain heat. And if you have one of those portable space heaters, get rid of it. Keep a sweater handy instead.

• University Rolls Out Efforts to Save Energy and Reduce Costs

...and the early undated Go Green tips, below...

FIRST END OF YEAR CLEANOUT A SUCCESS
As students head home or graduate, they abandon thousands of pounds of lightly used and new dorm room filler. Things were a bit different at the University this year. Thousands of pounds of unwanted items were donated to area charities or recycled as a result of the first annual End of Year Cleanout.    READ MORE...

Keep the plants—Turn off the lights

Leaving the lights on in your work space to keep your plants healthy is not the best use of energy. Florescent bulbs do use low amounts of electricity, but over time that energy use quickly adds up. So, instead of leaving the lights on, consider choosing plants that require low levels of light to thrive. Suitable varieties include the Chinese Evergreen, Phellodendron, and Snake Plant. (View more low-light plant options.)

THE BENEFITS TO BIKE COMMUTING 
Would it surprise you that driving to work is not any quicker then biking? Studies show that for a 10 -mile commute, biking to work might only add 10 extra minutes to your commute time.    READ MORE...

FEBRUARY SAVINGS ADD UP
Efforts to reduce energy consumption on the River Campus and at the Medical Center are paying off. The University saved $15,460 during February as part of a campaign to decrease the University’s overall environmental impact and to combat rising energy costs. The main component of these programs was rolling back indoor temperatures to 68 degrees for nonresidential buildings on the River Campus and nonpatient areas at the Medical Center.    READ MORE...

STUDENTS CHALLENGE EACH OTHER TO UNPLUG AND SAVE
For three weeks in February, students battled it out during UR Unplugged to determine which residence building would post the largest drop in energy consumption. They turned off lights, shut down monitors, and unplugged cell phone chargers. Those small changes resulted in dramatic reductions in the amount of energy consumed when compared to the same period last year.    READ MORE...