UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO
GREEN GUIDE
A Bear’s Guide to Sustainable Living
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO GREEN GUIDE
CONTENTS
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
At the University of Northern Colorado, yellow and blue
truly do make “green”—when students, faculty, staff
and the community combine everyday efforts toward
sustainability. The university’s multi-faceted approach
ranges from energy conservation and eco-efficient
landscaping to student activities and coursework.
This guidebook offers ideas and suggestions for green
living at UNC. Here, you’ll find dozens of ways to save
resources, recycle and cut waste. You’ll also learn more
about steps the university is taking in areas from dining
to transportation, and will find information about UNC’s
Environmental Studies program, student efforts and
Greeley resources.
GREEN HONORS
•In 2013, UNC received the City of Greeley’s 6th annual
Environmental Stewardship Award.
•UNC was named a “Tree Campus USA” for the first
time in 2013.
•The Butler-Hancock renovation and addition project
achieved LEED Gold Certification. The LEED green
building certification program (from the US Green
Building Council) encourages and accelerates
global adoption of sustainable green building and
development practices.
PAGE 03 WHAT YOUgCAN
DO
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e
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What you can do
In Residence Halls
In the Classroom
At Home
In the Workplace
Dining
Shopping
IN RESIDENCE HALLS
Just how green can a small space in a multi-use building be? That
depends on you! Use these tips to practice sustainability in your
residence hall.
TURN IT OFF
PAGE 07 University Efforts
Energy Saving
Solar Panels
Electrical
Additional Energy Conservation Projects
Heating and Cooling
Information Management and Technology
Dining
Landscaping
Transportation
Recycling
Water Conservation
PAGE 11 Academics, Engagement and Resources
Environmental Studies Program
Student LEAF
UNC Earth Week
City of Greeley
Sustainability Council
Turn off lights, lamps, computers, printers, TV’s, radios and any other
equipment when not in use.
UNPLUG IT
Many electronics such as TV’s, computers, cell phone chargers,
electric razors, etc. still use power (phantom plug loads) when they
are plugged in.
USE A LAMP
Study by lamplight instead of lighting your entire room.
USE CFL’S
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
(CFLs), which use about one-fourth the electricity of an
incandescent bulb.
AIR CONDITION WISELY
Wash clothes only when they need to be washed and only run full
loads. Use cold or warm water instead of hot, hang your clothes to
dry when possible.
REPORT MAINTENANCE ISSUES
Don’t allow sink faucets and shower faucets to drip—report them
for maintenance.
USE NATURAL LIGHT
If you don’t need your lights on, don’t turn them on. Most hallway
lights in residence halls are automatically switched off during
daylight hours.
LOUNGE LIGHTLY
Most lights can be turned off in lounges and bathrooms when the
last person leaves. Many of these spaces already have one fixture on
at all times for safety.
TURN DOWN YOUR HEAT
Most rooms are equipped with thermostats for room
temperature adjustment.
If it is cooler outside than it is in your room, open your window
instead of using the air conditioning. If you do use air conditioning,
set it on low and turn it off when you leave the room.
IN THE CLASSROOM
SHUT THE WINDOW
If you are the last person to leave a classroom, turn out the lights and
shut windows. While a number of campus classrooms are equipped
with motion sensors, many are not. If your class is the last one of the
day, the lights may stay on all night.
In the winter, don’t open your window to cool the room. If the heater
is too high, turn it down.
CONSERVE DURING BREAKS
When nobody is in the residence hall, shut off the heater or
air conditioning.
TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
You’ll save water as well as the energy required to heat water.
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WASH LAUNDRY WISELY
LIGHTS OUT
ASK YOUR PROFESSORS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is about finding new ways for our society to operate
to reach the goals of environmental, economic and social justice for
the health and security of our generation and generations to come.
Because of the breadth of these issues, every academic discipline
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must be engaged in reshaping many aspects of our communities. In
your classes, take the opportunity to ask your professors how their
work relates to sustainability. Consider how lessons you learn relate
to the challenges associated with having a growing population on a
planet with finite resources.
USE RAGS INSTEAD OF PAPER TOWELS
USE THE RECYCLING BINS
REQUEST STUDENT HELP
If you need to use a paper towel, rinse it and reuse if possible (unless
it is contaminated with something that could risk your health).
Recycling bins should be in every building on campus but they might
not be in the best locations. You know the habits and patterns of
your coworkers best. If you see that a recycling bin would be more
effective in another location, work with the recycling crew relocate it.
Many students seek opportunities to be involved in sustainability
projects on campus. Use the campus sustainability website to
identify your project and recruit student volunteers.
TAKE SUSTAINABILITY ELECTIVES
Paper comes from trees and paper cups end up in a landfill. Although
reusable cups must be washed, the production of paper cups uses
water as well. Paper cups are non-recyclable because of food
contamination and the plastic coating.
REDUCE CHEMICAL USAGE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE
Many people have ideas to make the campus more sustainable.
Some of the ideas may be new. Submit your ideas to any member of
the Sustainability Council.
Think about how you can address sustainability in your discipline
and take electives that will strengthen your understanding of
sustainability issues.
SUBMIT YOUR GREEN IDEAS
Many people have ideas to make the campus more sustainable.
Some of the ideas may be new. Submit your ideas to any member of
the Sustainability Council.
AT HOME
RECYCLING SHOULD BE THE LAST RESORT
We too often think of recycling as an ultimate sustainable task.
Always remember, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is in order of processes.
Reducing the amount of stuff you use should always be the
first priority.
PRINT ONLY IF NECESSARY
You know to recycle paper, but what you might not know is that the
quality of paper degrades each time it is recycled. Each time paper
is recycled, the tree fibers are made smaller. After paper is recycled
several times, the fibers are too small to make new paper. Thus, you
are not in the clear if you recycle all of your paper, yet you use
it excessively.
PRINT WISELY
Be mindful of how much paper you will use when printing and adjust
your document accordingly. Print double sided to cut your paper use
in half. Cut down the margins. Print single or 1.5 spaced. Delete text
you do not need.
DRINK TAP INSTEAD OF BOTTLED WATER
In the US, tap water is regulated by the EPA and is safe to drink. In
fact, many bottled water companies actually just fill their bottles with
clean tap water. Getting your water from water bottles increases the
plastic use plus fuel that was burned to transport the water bottles to
the store. The only small risk of drinking tap water is if you live in a
house with old plumbing. Small amounts of lead can leach from the
water pipes into the water. In this case, buy a water filter to remove
the lead.
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USE REUSABLE CUPS INSTEAD OF DISPOSABLE CUPS
RECYCLE EVERYTHING YOU CAN’T REUSE
Purchase environmentally friendly (non-hazardous) chemical
products when possible, and only buy the quantity needed. Unused
chemicals make up most of the hazardous waste requiring disposal.
Place all of your paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum cans
in the recycling bins around campus.
DO ECO-FRIENDLY OFFICE PARTIES
IN THE WORKPLACE
REPORT MAINTENANCE ISSUES
REDUCE PAPER USE
If you see a leaky faucet, running toilet, lights that are constantly on,
or anything else that is wasting water or energy, report the issue
for repair.
Post electronic documents instead of printing paper handouts.
Send documents and memos electronically, and if you must print
something, print double sided.
Instead of using disposable cups (especially polystyrene), ask
everyone in the office to bring their own cup to keep in the office.
SUBMIT YOUR GREEN IDEAS
BE A ROLE MODEL
Students learn from the content of lectures, from your behaviors and
from their surroundings. Demonstrate sustainable behavior in class
by accepting electronic assignments, encouraging recycling, using
less paper, etc. Help make the University of Northern Colorado a
sustainable campus by doing your part and encouraging others to
do theirs.
DEVELOP SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES
Develop guidelines for your department that describe specific
sustainability practices to follow.
THINK SUSTAINABLY
Select equipment and products that minimize water and energy use
and generate the minimum amount of waste products, including
wastewater. When contracting services, select vendors who have
incorporated sustainability into the services they provide, including
the products they use and the means by which they manage waste
products resulting from their services.
THINK ABOUT YOUR INFLUENCE
You may have many opportunities at your workplace to reduce
consumption of materials. Send memos or newsletters electronically.
USE POST CONSUMER CONTENT PAPER
Purchase at least 30 percent post consumer content paper for all
of your office needs—100 percent post consumer paper is readily
available and is of high quality. Ensure all department brochures,
posters, and other printing projects are on 100 percent postconsumer paper.
PURCHASE RECYCLED MATERIALS
Purchase products that contain recycled material, and consider if the
product is recyclable.
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DINING
AVOID #5 PLASTIC
DON’T USE DISPOSABLES
The recycling process for #5 plastic is less efficient than other
plastics, and many recycling plants do not accept #5 plastic.
When possible, always use a ceramic plate, glass and silverware
when dining in.
FORGO TO-GO
Given the option of dining in or requesting meals to go, reduce
unnecessary waste by dining in.
TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU’LL EAT
You’ll reduce consumption and waste, and you’ll save money.
EAT LESS MEAT
The average American eats enough meat to get the amount of
protein recommended for Olympic athletes. A meat intensive diet
can be hard on the environment because livestock require lots of
land area and resources to grow. Many large livestock operations
also release harmful pollutants to our waterways.
SHOPPING
REUSE FOIL AND PLASTIC BAGGIES/BRING A BAG
Take reusable bags or backpacks to the grocery store to avoid using
plastic bags. The U.S. uses 100 billion plastic bags per year (roughly
333 bags per year, per person).
UNIVERSITY EFFORTS
been busy
we’ve
UNC has implemented a wide range of processes and practices that contribute to the
university’s sustainability. Some are highly visible (like recycling bins and the Blue Cruiser
bicycle program) while others are behind the scenes (like lighting sensors and efficient
mechanicals). Wondering what UNC is doing to keep campus green? Read on, and stay
tuned. This guide lists current efforts, but it’s an ongoing process as the university seeks
ways to upgrade existing infrastructure and pursue sustainable methods.
BUY RECYCLED MATERIALS
Buying products made from recycled material will make recycling
more cost effective.
BUY ENERGY STAR PRODUCTS
Look for the Energy Star logo on products like light bulbs, windows,
TVs and air conditioners. Energy Star use significantly less energy,
ultimately saving money and increasing efficiency.
ENERGY SAVING
BUY A MORE FUEL EFFICIENT CAR
When it is time to replace your vehicle, consider buying a fuel
efficient car. Some hybrid cars get around 60 miles per gallon (mpg),
and future models are expected to reach 80 mpg.
As far back as the 1980s, UNC implemented extensive energy conservation
measures to reduce energy usage in our buildings. UNC Design Guidelines have
specified high efficiency motors, energy saving lighting, water saving plumbing
fixtures and similar measures since the early 1990’s. We’ve received many
rebates after implementing these guidelines on our capital projects.
BUY LESS STUFF
Purchasing environmentally friendly products is good but not
purchasing any products is significantly better. Focus your shopping
on needs instead of wants.
SHOP ONLINE
SOLAR PANELS
Shopping online eliminates your need to drive to a store. However, be
careful not to purchase goods that must travel a long way to get to
you.
UNC has invested in a small 10kw solar array on top of McKee
Hall. Installed in 2008 this system has generated 48,275 kWh
of electricity over the last four years without using any
fossil fuels.
BUY LOCAL GOODS
ELECTRICAL
From office equipment to vegetables, buy products that are produced
locally. Doing so promotes a healthy local economy and reduces fuel
consumption from the transportation of goods.
AVOID EXCESSIVE PACKAGING
Look for retailers and brands that are conscious of over-packaging
and choose those that use eco-friendly materials and processes.
BUY IN BULK
Buying products that are packaged in larger quantities reduces the
use of packaging material, but only buy what you will use.
6
LED Breezeway Lights at Mckee Hall use only 54 watts
compared to the 250-watt lamps that were being used and
last for 10 years compared to the old style lasting two years.
Induction lighting retrofits have replaced all the walkway lights
on Central Campus, cutting the energy consumption by
65 percent.
ADDITIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Occupancy sensors in classroom and other spaces, as well
as most vending equipment, shuts off lights when areas and
equipment aren’t in use.
Energy Star-rated equipment replaced more than 20 older
refrigerators with more efficient energy star rated units, and
Dining Services has replaced most ovens with Rational Combi
Ovens providing increased efficiency and energy savings due
to reduced cooking time.
Most incandescent lighting was eliminated with upgrades
to more efficient lamp types such as compact fluorescent,
induction and LED.
Photo sensors and the building automation system control
exterior lights for maximum efficiency.
HEATING AND COOLING
Several campus buildings have been “re-commissioned,”
a process which systematically reviews HVAC and control
systems for proper operation and sequence of control. Any
portions of the system not functioning properly are repaired
and upgraded.
UNC design standards require high efficiency centrifugal
chillers, which use less energy and release fewer GHG
emissions than other technologies. Recent installations include
Butler Hancock, Campus Recreation Center and New West
Campus Residence Halls, and construction has begun at
Kepner, Carter, Guggenheim and Crabbe Halls.
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INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
To reduce waste and increase energy efficiency, Information
Management and Technology has:
•Instituted centralized power management for all computers
Conserving energy. All dining room lights are turned off between
meals to help conserve energy. The compactor at Holmes Hall
includes a solar power control system, and replacement equipment
for dining halls is energy star rated when available. On Earth Day,
dining sponsors a “lights out lunch.”
•Migrated to a virtual server environment
•Installed APC power management application
LANDSCAPING
•Implemented Pharos “Pay to Print” system
XERIC DEMONSTRATION GARDENS AND COMMUNITY GARDENS
•Implemented Extender scanning system for accounts payable
•Installed Fax Maker Pro
•Moved to Voice over IP for phone system
•Standardized PC refresh program
•Offered an annual shred fest
•Rightsized computer labs
•Implemented standard efficient equipment specifications such as
flat panel LCD monitors
DINING
In addition to feeding UNC’s Bears, Dining Services has been a
campus leader in sustainability by:
Reducing Waste. A computerized menu management system that
monitors consumer eating habits to reduce over-production and
educational programs are offered to inform students about food
waste in the dining halls. The Waste Not Program in Tobey-Kendel
utilizes leftovers instead of tossing them, and Holmes Dining Hall
instituted a pilot program for composting and donates leftover and
over-ripe fruit to the research bats in Ross Hall. A local company
picks up used fryer oil and recycles it to use with livestock feed, but
it will soon be recycled for biodiesel fuels.
Buying local. Dining Services has established relationships with local
growers and food suppliers and uses herbs and vegetables grown
on campus.
Choosing eco-friendly materials. The “Bear On The Run” program
uses biodegradable to-go containers and cups, and the UC Food
Court now uses utensils made of 70 percent renewable resources.
8
A five-acre site located at 17th Avenue and Reservoir Road, UNC’s
Xeric Demonstration Gardens helps the community learn how to save
water through good landscape planning and irrigation design, and
incorporates the basic elements of food, water and cover needed to
attract urban wildlife. Native and low-water use plants, along with
drip irrigation conserve water in this demonstration garden.
In 2007, the garden became the first site for the Community Gardens
Project. Greeley residents have an opportunity to rent a garden
plot at the UNC Xeric Garden. The opportunity to rent a garden
plot is one of the projects coordinated by the Community Garden
Advisory Committee as part of Project GROW (Gardeners Reaping
Opportunities for Wellness) through the Natural Resource office at the
City of Greeley.
TREE CAMPUS USA
In 2013, UNC was named a Tree Campus USA for the first time by
the Arbor Day Foundation. This national program was created in
2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest
management and for engaging staff and students in
conservation goals.
UNC achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards,
which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus treecare plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day
observance and student service-learning projects.
Included in efforts to teach and raise awareness of UNC’s campus
trees, three self-guided tours have been created that allow students,
faculty, staff, the community and visitors the opportunity to learn
about some of the 3,695 trees on campus.
TRANSPORTATION
Campus Recreation’s fleet of 100 cruiser bicycles and 20 mountain
bikes are available free of charge to UNC students, and come with a
helmet and lock, as well as the option to use a front-mounted basket.
Bicycle use is also facilitated and encouraged by five bike repair
stations available at locations across campus.
Bear Bus cuts down on vehicle use with various routes, including
the Boomerang bus, which runs between Gunter Hall and Michener
Library.
For campus fleet efficiency, UNC has purchased four hybrid
vehicles — two in Facilities Management, one for UNCPD and one
assigned to the rental fleet. The UNC fleet includes 30 alternative fuel
vehicles capable of using E85, and grounds crews, athletics staff and
IM&T use several gator and golf cart type vehicles on campus.
RECYCLING
The UNC recycling program was created in 2002 and has grown
steadily over the years. In 2003, as part of several Energy
Performance Contracts, UNC hired our first Resource Conservation
Manager for the campus. The Resource Conservation Manager is
charged with providing education to the campus occupants as well
as monitoring energy usage and implementing new conservation
projects on campus.
Recycling on campus has grown steadily. Last year, approximately
450,000 pounds of materials were collected. The program has one
full-time employee and several student employees.
SINCE THE RECYCLING PROGRAM
BEGAN, UNC HAS IMPACTED THE
ENVIRONMENT BY SAVING A TOTAL OF:
22,396
trees
53,030
9,222,067
GALLONS OF WATER
BARRELS
OF OIL
79,046 POUNDS OF AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE
5,454
cubic yards of landfill space
7,288,812
KWH OF ELECTRICITY
30,246
BTU’S OF
ENERGY
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WATER CONSERVATION
UNC is fortunate to own water rights, and utilizes raw water from the
mountains to irrigate sports fields and most of the turf on the west
campus. It conserves millions of gallons of valuable drinking water
and saves the university thousands of dollars each year.
Non-Potable System. Nearly 64 acres of campus are covered by
non-potable water. UNC’s non-potable pump house on West campus
utilizes irrigation ditch water (raw water) to irrigate the athletic fields
and other areas on west campus.
Partnerships with Greeley. In 2006, the City of Greeley was expecting
growth and expansion and in need of more drinking water. They saw
the potential in water savings at the UNC’s Jackson Athletic field
and proposed a non-potable pump house to the field complex on 6th
Avenue and 18th Street. The city and the university worked together
and the new system is pumping millions of gallons of non-drinking
water onto UNC fields totaling about 14.5 acres.
Pump plans for the future. UNC has plans to add another pump
station for Central campus, and has installed a 4-inch mainline for
irrigation, anticipating future needs.
Irrigation control systems. A central control system conserves water
and provides better control and flexibility, allowing UNC to provide
the right amount of water for each type of vegetation, preventing
overwatering and run-off.
The signature control system also conserves water by using weather
station data to help save water and automatically adjusting the
watering schedules. Once both controllers are networked through
radio/cell phone, irrigation technicians will be able to make program
modifications from any single controller on campus, reducing time
and money otherwise spent travelling back to a central computer.
Weather station information can reduce UNC’s overall water usage by
at least 30 percent.
Bottle fillers. UNC is changing campus drinking fountains to
accommodate bottle fillers. As this guide went to press, 37 chilled
and filtered bottle fillers have been installed on campus. These fillers
have built-in bottle counters so that you can see how many bottles
have been saved from landfills.
Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. All showerheads on
campus are 2.5 gallon per minute and aerators are .5 gallon per
minute, saving water and natural gas.
Low consumption toilets. UNC has replaced all the old style high
consumption toilets with 1.6 GPF design. The toilet replacements
were part of a campus wide performance contract in 2004 and a
grant project through the City of Greeley in 2009.
Reuse of condensed water. Water that cools high-temperature, hot
water (HTHW) pumps is reused as condensed water. Previously, it
was cooled by a pass of water, which then went down the drain.
Now, it’s piped into a cold-water tank and reused.
ACADEMICS & RESOURCES
gaged
become en
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM
UNC has had an environmental studies program for more than 42
years, and students may now major in sustainability. The program
fosters an informed citizenry by providing students with the tools,
knowledge and critical thinking skills to make rational and informed
decisions for positive sustainable development.
STUDENT LEAF
In April 2012, students voted on and passed the Student Leadership
for Environmental Action Fund (LEAF), which will create a fund
sustained by a $1 per credit hour student fee, up to 10 credit hours
each semester (and up to $20 per a traditional academic year).
This fund will finance environmental improvements in campus
infrastructure and educational initiatives to improve resource
efficiency strengthen the campus community and provide practical
career experience. A committee led by students, with staff and
faculty representation, will manage the fund.
All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit project
proposals. The form for project proposals and other information about
Student LEAF can be found at StudentLEAF.com
Celebrating its 20th season, the Greeley Farmers’ Market
(greeleygov.com/fm) encourages buying produce and specialty foods
and crafts from local producers/vendors. Visit the City of Greeley Web
site (greeleygov.com) for more information and tips on sustainability
efforts within the city.
SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL
UNC’s grassroots Sustainability Council draws expertise, voices
and vision from all campus sectors and is dedicated to creating a
sustainable culture and facilities.
The council identifies and creates opportunities for the campus
community to learn about sustainability and to research, explore and
adopt new sustainable practices as a university or in partnerships
with the community. At the same time, the council helps educate and
inform the UNC community and stakeholders about current activities
related to and the status of UNC’s sustainable practices.
UNC EARTH WEEK FESTIVITIES
Sponsored by the Center for Honors, Scholars and Leadership, Earth
Week at UNC celebrates the earth, our community and campus by
getting engaged in a variety of environmentally sustainable and
civically engaged activities. In the past, events have ranged from an
information fair to a bicycle race.
CITY OF GREELEY
The City of Greeley promotes sustainability and encourages
community members to contribute to natural resource conservation.
Greeley’s Water Conservation Program (greeleygov.com/water/
conservation.aspx) is one of the largest programs in the state and
anticipates a more than 8 percent reduction in water demand over
the next 20 years. The city provides a recycle center for cardboard,
paper products, glass, plastic, as well as the Greeley Organic
Waste (GROW) Center (greeleygov.com/communitydevelopment/
greeleygreen.aspx) for the disposal of green waste.
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The Poudre River Trail (poudretrail.org) provides 20 miles of nonmotorized recreational opportunities along the Cache La Poudre River
and was built in cooperation with Windsor and Weld County.
More information:
www.unco.edu/sustainability
Environmental and Sustainability Studies:
www.unco.edu/environmental
Student LEAF:
studentleaf.com
facebook.com/studentleaf
twitter.com/studentLEAF
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Website: www.unco.edu/sustainability
E-mail: sustainability@unco.edu
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sustainableunc