Sustainability Around Campus and Best Practices
People from throughout the University of Saskatchewan are starting to take sustainability to heart. Here are some of the projects and initiatives - some big, some small - that are happening across our Campus.
Sustainability Around Campus
Waste Prevention and Reduction
Green Buildings
Infrastructure
Energy Conservation
Green Spaces
Transportation Initiatives
Water Conservation
Other Neat Stuff
Sustainability Around Campus
Institutional Commitment
As a signatory to the Talloires Declaration (List of signatories), the U of S is committed to implementing an action plan to promote sustainability on-campus and abroad.
Integrated Plan
One of the 20 areas of commitment in the University's Second Integrated Plan is "sustainability as a shared challenge." A campus-wide Sustainability Commitment Working Group is meeting regularly and developing plans and strategies to move the campus toward greater sustainability, described by the Working Group as "the conservation and restoration of the environment in a socially and economically responsible manner."
FMD Sustainability Assessment
In 2002, a Sustainability Assessment of energy use, transportation and waste was conducted at the University of Saskatchewan through FMD. Many thoughtful recommendations came out of the Sustainability Assessment that remain influential to FMD policy and operations.
Health, Safety and Environmental Management System (HSEMS)
The University is undertaking the implementation of a Health, Safety and Environmental Management System to help people throughout the organization better manage Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) issues. The HSEMS processes and tools will aid in the proactive identification and management of HSE issues leading to safer, more sustainable workplaces throughout the campus. Currently a Sustainability Addendum to the HSEMS is being developed which will allow workplaces on campus to assess the sustainability implications of their workplace procedures and practices at the same time as they are working through the HSEMS.
USSU Sustainability Board and Policy
In 2005, the USSU created a standing Sustainability Board to examine issues of social and environmental sustainability within the USSU. As its first task, the Sustainability Board created a USSU Sustainability Policy. The USSU also conducted a baseline sustainability assessment which provided recommendations on how the organization can improve its social and environmental responsibility.
Facilities Management Division Sustainability Policy
In 2006, the Facilities Management Division adopted a Sustainability Policy for the Workplace. By modeling sustainability in the workplace, Facilities Management hopes to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability to the campus community. Check out the policy.
Sustainable Purchasing Working Group
A working group, comprised of representatives from Consumer Services, Purchasing Services, Facilities Management Division, and the USSU, started collaborating in the spring of 2007 to develop strategies to address the sustainability implications of campus procurement guidelines and procedures. The result of this group's work, the University of Saskatchewan Sustainable Purchasing Protocol, launched in October of 2009, can be found at the Purchasing Services website. The Protocol is primarily intended as a resource for University purchasers, but it is hoped that rest of the campus community will also use it as a resource for making more sustainable consumer choices.
University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action
In October 2010 President Peter MacKinnon signed the University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action for Action. The statement recognizes the potential for adverse health, social, economic and ecological effects of global climate change, and commits the university to using its leadership position and research expertise to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This statement of action commits the university to several actions; first and foremost is demonstrating leadership by reducing greenhouse has emissions. To do this, the university will develop measurable emission reduction target, develop practical plans to achieve these targets and establish monitoring and measurement procedures. As a first step, the Office of Sustainability is updating the University of Saskatchewan Greenhouse Gas Inventory produced in 2006 to account for emissions produced in recent years and to bring it in line with new standards for greenhouse gas reporting. The new inventory will be available in October, 2011.
Waste Reduction
Waste Audits
During 2008 and 2009, a series of waste audits were performed on all major campus buildings. The data collected during these audits will be used to develop a strategy to reduce campus waste by 90% by 2012. Check out On Campus News, Oct. 17, 2008
Campus Recycling
Since it started in September, 2006 (check out On Campus News, July 7, 2006 or Recycling Launch ), Campus Recycling has recycled close to a half million beverage containers and provided jobs to about a dozen students. As the program grows, other recyclable items will be added to the program, such as batteries and cellphones. The last year also saw some pilot projects for plastics recycling, disposable cup recycling and compostable take-out plates and cutlery. Check out the program brochure and poster
Benefits of the program include:
- Recycling stations are easy to recognize and look the same throughout campus.
- Public education about recycling and waste reduction is provided.
- Student jobs are created: pick-up, sorting and delivery of recyclables are done by student employees.
- The recycling stations are clearly marked with information on who to contact when problems occur with the stations (malfunctions, cleanliness, and over-utilization).
Currently paper is recycled in most parts of campus, with the help of our Custodial staff who collect paper products from blue bins on a regular basis.
Toner Cartridge Recycling Program
For years the Department of Health, Safety, and Environment (DHSE) (now Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection) worked with the Saskatoon Food Bank and the thINK program to recycle toner cartridges from around campus. Campus Recycling is currently working on integrating the collection of toner cartridges with the beverage container recycling collection system.
Vintage Computer Equipment
Do you have vintage computer equipment lying around your home or office? Please contact the U of S Computer Museum as they might be able to use it. For more information please visit http://computermuseum.usask.ca/
Bulb Eater
Fluorescent Tube Recycling
All fluorescent tubes generated by our campus are recycled. A "Bulb Eater" crushes the bulbs and isolates the mercury vapour. Both the crushed glass and mercury vapour gets shipped to appropriate disposal facilities, preventing the mercury from entering the environment. Check out On Campus News, Nov. 14, 2008
Surplus Materials Management
During 2008,a comprehensive audit of campus surplus assets was conducted. The data collected will be used to design a system to re-use and re-cycle campus surplus assets as effectively as possible
Griffiths Stadium Waste Reduction
The College of Kinesiology, in collaboration with Huskie Athletics and Louis'/USSU, has committed to significant waste reduction at Griffiths Stadium. In addition to beverage containers, plastic cups are being recycled -- look for the green & white barrels. The goal is to work toward compostable cups for all events at Griffiths.
Landscaping Waste Composting
The Grounds staff at Facilities Management currently composts most landscaping waste produced during the summer months. The Grounds compost program has also accommodated a number of compostable cup and plate trial projects. Options for composting year-round and combining landscaping, food, farm and plant waste on campus are being studied. See the article in On Campus News, Oct. 21, 2005.
Staff Composting Projects
There are a number of vermi-composting (worm composting), projects going on around campus, most notably in the lunch room of the Centre for Continuing and Distance Education and the Biology Club office .The staff at the Bookstore also collects their compostables, with volunteers transporting the materials to an off-campus composting bin when needed. Facilities Management is also planning on implementing a composting program in the University Services Building.
Food Services Initiatives
Food Services is working hard to find ways to reduce waste. Recent initiatives have included:
- To-go containers for soups and meals are biodegradable.
- Baskets with napkins have been replaced with dispensers that dole out napkins individually. As well, all napkins are now non-bleached, rather than bleached.
- China, metal cutlery, and glassware are provided within the Marquis Hall food court.
- Disposable cutlery (forks, knives, and spoons) are vegetable-based and biodegradable.
- Recycling stations for beverage containers and paper are set up at all Food Service outlets.
- Refillable condiment pumps have been introduced in place of packets to reduce waste.
- In collaboration with Campus Recycling, paper cups are recycled. Just put them in the paper recycling bin.
Western College of Veterinary Medicine Alkali Digester
The WVCM expansion project includes the replacement of the building's 27 year old incineration system with a new alkalai hydrolysis system. This system will significantly reduce the waste stream and greenhouse gas emissions from the facility.
Green Buildings
Green Building standards and practices are being integrated into the planning and design of a number of new buildings and renovations on campus, including the Law Building addition, the Health Sciences additions, the Aboriginal Students Centre and the Murray Building renovations.These projects incorporate advantages such as increased daylight for occupants, reduced amounts of finish materials, component life cycle analysis, greatly reduced construction and 'living roofs' that, among other things, will help keep the building (and campus) a little cooler, as well as assisting with storm water management.
College of Law Addition
Utilizing tools like 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' (LEED) (go to the Canada Green Building Council for information), recently constructed facilities like the College of Law Addition utilized more comprehensive integrated design approaches, resulting in an more sustainable facility. For information on the Law Addition, check out On Campus News, Oct. 29, 2010 . For photos of the living roof on the Law Addition, click here Law Living Roof 1 and Law Living Roof 2.
University Learning Commons in the Murray Building
Learning Commons Green Transformation
The Learning Commons in the Murray Building was designed to have several green features, including:
- The existing concrete floor was densified and polished, eliminating the need for new floor materials and finishes.
- Light quality was improved and energy requirements reduced with the use of daylight sensors and dimmable fluorescent ballasts that adjust lighting levels according to the amount of natural light present.
- Demountable wall partitions were used in place of drywall and steel studs in office areas, to eliminate the waste associated with future office reconfigurations and allow for flexibility in office layouts.
- 75% of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. For example, 300 light fixtures were reused in campus retro-fitting programs.
- Water saving flush valves on flush toilets and water efficient urinals were installed.
The University Learning Centre and Library Transformation Project is registered under LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) -- Commercial Interiors, and is expected to achieve a silver rating in terms of its sustainability performance.
The Academic Health Sciences Additions
The two additions to the Academic Health Sciences Building are being constructed with sustainability in mind. The D-wing addition will include such green features as:
The E-wing addition will include:
- A prairie pond to collect and manage stormwater runoff.
- Low and ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures.
- Solar Collectors to supply up to 80% of the building's domestic hot water.
- Occupancy sensors to automatically reduce ventilation in unoccupied areas.
- Occupancy sensors to turn off lighting when spaces are unoccupied.
- Daylight sensors in the atrium and library to reduce lighting when natural lighting is sufficient.
Living Roof Test Plots
Facilities Management partnered with the Department of Geography to develop living roof test plots. These plots tested the feasibility of employing this technology here at the University of Saskatchewan, and specifically in the extreme climate conditions of our region. See the article in On Campus News, Sept. 9, 2005.
Infrastructure
The Green Road Project
The "Green Street Pilot Project" (on the North Road) was a partnership between Facilities Management and the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emission, improve city transit access and take advantage of onsite salvaged materials. The condition of the North Road had fallen into near failure due to the heavy transit traffic, and something had to be done to improve the road strength. The North Road was reconstructed using sustainable construction methods that used salvaged materials like road rubble, crushed concrete, glass, and porcelain to produce a greener, more durable finished product. In one portion of the road asphalt was applied using a cold process (much less energy-intensive), while in another a form of pervious pavement was installed, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the project. The road performance will be monitored and iIt is hoped that these techniques will help transform the road re- building industry by lowering capital and lifecycle costs, lowering emission, enhance road performance and provide useful end-uses for recycled construction, renovation, and deconstruction waste. Check out On Campus News, May 8, 2009 and On Campus News, September 4, 2009.
Energy Conservation
Energy Conservation
The University of Saskatchewan was a North American pioneer in integrating direct digital control heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), allows for precise control and measurement of HVAC energy usage. The Facilities Management Division is constantly striving to find new opportunities for energy conservation
Lighting Retrofits
Over 26,000 magnetic ballast fluorescent fixtures are being replaced with more energy efficient electronic ballasts and fluorescent bulbs. In addition about 3,000 incandescent bulbs aer being replaced with compact fluorescents and almost 700 exits signs retrofitted with light emitting diodes, which will reduce them from 25 to 2.5 watts each.
The overall target for energy saved by the lighting retrofit project is 17,893 GJ/yr or $277,365 saved per year in electricity costs (at current utility rates). This amounts to greenhouse gas emission reductions of about 4,240,000 kg CO2/yr, which is roughly equivalent to 656 cars and light trucks being taken off the road in Saskatchewan
Even though the project is not yet finished, up to September 2009, the energy saved to by the lighting retrofit project is 9,266 GJ/yr or $143,635 saved per year in electricity costs (at current utility rates). The GHG emission reductions to date are 2,196,000 kg CO2/yr. or 340 cars and light trucks not used in Saskatchewan
In addition, these measures will improve lighting quality. Check out On Campus News, January 9, 2009
McEown Park Lighting Retrofits
Over 1650 incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs in Seager Wheeler Hall. It is estimated that this retrofit will save about $1000 in energy costs per month. As well, fluorescent lighting is currently being upgraded to new energy efficient tubes and electronic ballasts in the hallways of Assiniboine Hall.
Lights Off Campaign
To reduce electrical energy use, "Light Off" reminders will be appearing on switch plate covers in offices and classrooms throughout campus over the winter. These stickers are meant to remind us that even the most energy efficient lights are wasting electricity if they are burning for no reason. A good rule of thumb is that if you anticipate that the room you are leaving will be empty for 10 minutes or more, shut off the lights. Saskatchewan's electricity is primarily derived from burning coal, which means that it produces more greenhouse gas emissions than electricity derived from other sources, such as hydro.
Download and print out a poster to put up in your workplace. (attached PDF) If you would like Lights Off stickers for your on-campus workplace, email fmdsustainability@usask.ca with your request.
Transportation Initiatives
Transit Hub and U-Pass
Thanks to the hard work of the USSU, he U-Pass went into effect in September of 2006. At the same time the new Transit Hub, which allows 15 of the city's 18 city bus routes to connect through the campus, was opened. These two initiatives have substantially increased use of the transit system. Check out On Campus News, September 22, 2006.).
Anti-Idling Campaign
Watch for the Idle-Free Zone signs. They are intended to remind you that even small changes can have big impacts. For more information on the negative effects of idling, check out Natural Resources Canada Idling Information.
Carpool.ca
The University of Saskatchewan is one of many organizations in Saskatoon participating in a nationwide initiative to reduce greenhouse gases through carpooling. Carpool.ca connects commuters for the purposes of carpooling. For more information,visit www.carpool.ca.
USSU Bike Tool Rental Service
With a valid student card, bike tool kits and supplies for minor repairs can be rented from the Physical Activity Complex Equipment Room during PAC hours. More information can be obtained from vpstudentaffairs@ussu.ca
Secured Bike Lock-up Pilot Project
Bicycles racks in the Agriculture Parkade are serving as a pilot project to provide reserved storage for bicycles. These spaces will provide year round heated storage free from the elements (rain and snow) and will include video surveillance, a secure locking system (frame and tire), and a tough Krytonite Keeper U lock. To find out more, contact Parking Services at 966-4502.
Parking Services Car Plug-In Trials
456 parking stalls in McEown Park and 212.in the Stadium Parkade now offer an energy saving alternative to leaving cars plugged in for hours at a time. Plug-ins begin to function once the temperature reaches -6℃. The flow rate increases progressively until the temperature reaches -22℃ , where it remains constant.
Parking Services Transition to Parking and Transportation Services
Parking Services recently made the transition to Parking and Transportation Services, broadening the administrative scope of the office. Rather than just overseeing user parking on campus, the new mandate of the office will expand to include alternative transportation options such as shuttle services, bicycle lockers, ridesharing, and the proposed Eco-pass for faculty and grad students. While the intent of the transition is not to see the office become a change agent within the University organization, the office's new positioning will facilitate more effective implementation of transportation initiatives at the user level (students, staff, and faculty).
Campus Cycling Club
The newly formed Campus Cycling Club (CCC) is made up of cycling enthusiasts who want to promote bicycle transportation to students, staff, and faculty at the University of Saskatchewan. Through partnerships with the USSU and Office of Sustainability the club will endeavor to provide cycling activities and programs such as a 'Bike Buddy' system. In this program, new riders will be matched with experienced riders to help ease them into urban cycling by teaching them how to safely share the road with motorists, for example. The CCC will also advocate for the development of a bike co-operative that will rent or sell refurbished bicycles to students at fair rates, along with providing workshops on various topics such as winter cycling and bike maintenance. Above all, the CCC will aim to reduce barriers to bike riding and empower people to choose this sustainable form of transportation-year round! For more information or to join contact cyclingclub@usask.ca.
Ride Sharing
The University of Saskatchewan has partnered with RideShark© to bring a user-friendly ride sharing program to all students, staff, and faculty. The program will be first be piloted in select campus units and introduced to the entire campus next year. The program will allow users to easily find carpool partners as well as bike, walking and transit buddies. The program will be accessible only to PAWS users and will be tailored to commuters traveling to campus, simplifying the ride sharing process as users don't have to sort through people traveling to other locations in the city. A "Log my Commute" function will allow users to track their individual trips and generate stats like greenhouse gases saved, fuel use, and even calories burned. Statistics will be tallied per trip and per month, allowing users to get a good sense of their contribution to greenhouse gas production and the use of fuel resources.
Data collected by the program can also be used to produce reports that can be used by the university to monitor trends in modes of transportation being used to get to campus. It is hoped that ECOmmute will facilitate and encourage alternative forms of transportation such as carpooling to help reduce the University's overall ecological footprint.
Green Spaces
College of Education Prairie Habitat Garden
The College of Education's Prairie Habitat garden is designed to be a source of education by offering students a chance to see prairie plants in a natural setting designed to showcase native Saskatchewan plants. This garden is intended to inspire students to strive to protect the plants and their habitats. Check out the Prairie Habitat Garden website.
Seager Wheeler Community Garden
The Seager Wheeler Residence Complex has a community garden for Complex residents and their families. The garden allows families to grow their own organic food. A side benefit is that the garden has become a hub of the Complex's social life. See On Campus News, September 7, 2007 . In the summer of 2008, residents doubled the size of the garden to accommodate the demand for gardening plots.
Xeriscaping
Grounds are trying to find ways to make the U of S landscape less dependent on water. In addition to specifying drought tolerant plants in areas outside of the bowl, Grounds is experimenting with different turfgrass mixtures.
The landscape in front of the University Services Building is serving as a test plot for a seed mixture containing 5 different Fescue grass species with attributes such as drought tolerance, slow growth rate and ability to outcompete weeds. Once established this stand of fescue turfgrass will not require irrigation, fertilizer, regular mowing or chemical weed control. Grounds will continue to watch this area, receive feedback and determine if this type of turfgrass could provide the university with a more sustainable option for many of our landscaped areas.
Water Conservation
Water Use Baseline Study
During the summer of 2008, a baseline study of water uses on campus was conducted. This included inventories of all water-consuming fixtures throughout campus. The results of this study will be used as the basis for a number of water conservation projects in the upcoming years.
Irrigation System
Over the course of several years, Facilities Management is installing a new central control irrigation system The system includes satellite irrigation control stations throughout campus linked to a central control station. This central control station will measure variables such as temperature, evaporations and rainfall, as well as water flows at each satellite station. Based on this information, the system will ensure that watering happens under optimal conditions at optimal rates. See the article in On Campus News, July 8, 2006.
Other Neat Stuff
Green Cleaning 
As of May 1, 2008, all products used to clean the 43 campus buildings maintained by Facilities Management are EcoLogo EcoLogo(www.ecologo. org) certified. EcoLogo is a program established by Environment Canada in 1988, is one of North America's most widely recognized and respected environmental leadership certification programs. The cleaning products are non-toxic and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) In addition, soon, all chemicals used by custodial staff will be metered. By measuring these chemicals carefully, staff will ensure they are only using the correct ratios.
The residence cleaning staff have also switched to green cleaning in nine buildings including the four high-rise residences in McEown Park
Arts and Science Green Computer Lab
The Arts and Science Computer Lab is working on a strategy to "green" its operations. The main goals will be paper use reduction and energy conservation.
Greening of Campus Conferences
This past year saw a number of conferences on campuses working to be more environmentally friendly. Strategies included compostable plates and dinnerware, paper use reduction, lug-a-mug programs and public transit promotion. For more information, check out On Campus News, March 23, 2007
A University of Saskatchewan Green Conference Guide is available to make it even easier to host green conferences at our university.
City of Saskatoon - University of Saskatchewan Sustainability Taskforce
Representatives from the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon have started to meet to discuss common sustainability issues of concern, and to develop collaborative approaches to resolving the issues.
Opportunities for Students
The Office of Sustainability provides opportunities for students to engage in applied sustainability. For instance, it regularly collaborates with a number of colleges to provide class-based sustainability projects for students, as well as career-oriented summer employment sustainability internships and part-time winter internships