Council on Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability @ the
University of Rochester
Rochester Milestones
Recycling
1994
Established the Waste Minimization Committee and began tracking solid waste generation and recycling. The committee still meets on a quarterly basis and has been very successful in identifying ways to minimize waste.
1995-1998
Eliminated the use of mercury at the hospital. We were one of the first hospitals in the country to do so and have repeatedly received national-level recognition for the program.
2000
Strong Memorial Hospital replaced most silver-based X-rays films with digital (around 95 percent by 2006), eliminating the 250-gallon photo chemical mixing tank.
Began collecting electronic equipment for recycling and reuse. More than 100,000 pounds of used electronics per year were recycled. This has increased to 203,000 pounds in 2006.
2004
Medical Center Housekeeping switched to green cleaning products; less toxic peroxide-based cleaners are being used in many areas.
2005
Grounds Department began collecting used ink jet and toner cartridges, using the rebates to buy trees for the Arboretum.
2006
Recycled 4.8 tons of batteries.
Replaced disposable plastic sharps shelters in Strong Memorial Hospital with FDA approved reusable containers. Estimated to save 50,000 pounds of plastic from being landfilled annually.
Started a program to shred the hospital’s confidential documents and recycle the paper. Before this program, confidential documents were placed in the Medical Center autoclave along with the regulated medical waste to ensure they were destroyed. This autoclave waste is then sent to a landfill. During the last quarter of 2006, more than 44,000 pounds of confidential document waste were shredded and then recycled instead of being landfilled.
2007
Participated in RecycleMania!, a competition between more than 200 colleges and universities to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.
Recycled 746 tons of cardboard and office paper. The recycling of this quantity of packaging and raw materials avoided their manufacturing and disposal, thereby conserving 12,600 mature trees and and 3,100 cubic yards of landfill air space.
Energy
1998
Converted from coal and #6 oil to natural gas and low-sulfur oil, which resulted in improved efficiency of Central Utilities Plant and a drop in our nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.
- NOx emissions: 76.02 tons in 2006, compared to 335 tons in 1995
- SO2 emissions: less than one ton in 2006, compared to 1,600 tons in 1995
2003
Gem Cars introduced for use by facilities staff in an effort to reduce gas-powered vehicles.
2005
Central Utility Plant converts to more efficient “Cogeneration,” simultaneously producing the electricity and steam used to heat and cool River Campus and Medical Center buildings and using no more fuel than if only steam were produced.
Retro-commissioning program started. Four buildings were completed: Ambulatory Care Facility, Schlegel Hall, Gleason Hall, and Rush Rhees Library. Total utility costs avoided is $250,000 per year.
Dining
2004
Switched to local co-op for all milk products.
2005
Switched to local bakery.
Introduced cage-free eggs campus wide in September.
Introduced reusable mug program.
Increased the varieties of fair trade coffee served at our coffee locations.
Worked with the student-led UR Fair Trade Campaign to increase student awareness about fair trade issues.
Developed a sustainability policy and hired a student sustainability coordinator.
2006
Hillside Café switched all coffee to the Java City Eco-Grounds program. They serve only Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance coffee.
Partnered with Women’s Coffee Connection to serve their coffee in Danforth Dining Center, Eastman Dining Center, and Southside Market. WCC is a local, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people recover from drug and alcohol abuse. They sell organic, fair trade coffee.
Implemented the NYS Apple program in all dining locations on campus.
Continued efforts to purchase locally produced foods, including partnerships with Balsam Bagels in Rochester, Lipman's Kosher Market in Brighton, and Perry’s Ice Cream in Akron.
Hosted the first “sustainability dinner” in the Meliora using all locally produced foods.
2007
Became the first university in New York state to join the Pride of New York program to promote locally produced foods.
Partnered with Freshlink Farms in Penfield, N.Y., to obtain a large portion of our fresh herbs and greens.
Buildings/Landscaping
1990-present
Integrated pest management practices for grounds keeping and landscaping.
2003
Laboratory for Laser Energetics addition preserved habitat of threatened frog species.
2004
Robert B. Goergen Hall for Biomedical Engineering and Optics designed to meet standards for sustainability, including energy efficiency. Green space replaced asphalt in the construction of the building.
University became a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
2007
University Health Service building designed to meet LEED standards.
The University's Pest Control Unit was one of five recipients of the 2007 Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Award from New York state. The University has reduced its use of liquid pesticides from 400 gallons a year in 1994 to the current annual usage of less than 10 gallons.
The roadway de-icer used by the University becomes the only product of its kind to win th EPA's "Design for the Environment" designation. "Ice B'Gone" is a blended, biodegradable product that works much longer and in significantly lower temperatures than untreated salt, resulting in reduced salt use.
