The Auraria Sustainable Campus Program

Transcription

1 The Auraria Sustainable Campus Program Annual Report 2015 Auraria

2 Student-Driven Environmental Stewardship The Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP) is a student fee-funded and studentled program charged with reducing the Auraria Campus s ecological impact. Through implementation of various sustainability projects and initiatives, the ASCP helps reduce operating costs while lessening the Auraria Campus s environmental footprint and improving campus life for all students, faculty, and staff of its constituent institutions: Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver. In 2011, students from all three institutions approved a referendum to collect a fee of $5 per student per semester for spring 2012 through 2016 with the purpose of funding ASCP operations and staffing. Every year, the ASCP sets forth goals and allocates money across seven pillars of sustainability: Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Alternative Transportation Water Conservation Recycling and Waste Diversion Food and Gardens Education and Outreach The 2015 ASCP program fundamentally influenced campus operations, buildings, infrastructure, and student engagement. With over $300,000 in approved projects in 2015, the ASCP continues to support the Auraria Campus in being socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

3 Energy Efficiency Intent: Reduce campus consumption of fossil fuels associated with heating, cooling, and lighting of shared buildings Over a third of funds collected by the ASCP is reserved for energy-efficiency projects on campus. These projects tend to be the most cost effective in reducing environmental impact and promoting long-term financial savings.

4 Projects Tivoli Station LED Retrofit With the replacement of all lighting fixtures in Tivoli Station (formerly Auraria Campus Bookstore) to high-efficiency LED fixtures and bulbs, energy usage will decrease 43 percent from an estimated 100,761 kwh down to 57,518kWh. Amount Approved: $34,000 Projected Campus Savings: $5,732 annually 5.9-year payback period with an ROI of 30% $57,327 over 10 years Environmental Impact: Through reducing energy usage by 43,243 kwh annually, 57,945 lbs of CO 2 the equivalent of 5,000 gallons of consumed gasoline will be prevented from entering the atmosphere each year. Outdoor Lighting Upgrades Replacement and upgrade of outdoor lighting along the 10th Street pedestrian corridor, and installation of LED fixtures on the exterior of campus core buildings, saves energy and provides better lighting coverage, resulting in a safer, better-lit environment for students. Amount Approved: $30,000 Projected Campus Savings: $15,000 per year 8-year combined payback period with a combined ROI of 65% Environmental Impact: 20,400 kwh of energy will be saved, preventing over 27,000 lbs of CO 2 from entering the atmosphere. Energy Efficiency

5 Renewable Energy Intent: Generate on-site energy from clean, renewable energy technology Renewable energy is the second largest ASCP program area, with 20 percent allocated to these projects. Promoting this technology drives long-term change toward cleaner energy sources, and serves as an applied educational opportunity for new clean technology.

6 Projects Arts Building Solar Array In 2014, the ASCP approved funding to increase the solar capacity on the Arts Building roof by 40kW. The array is now a 75kW system, and since the completion of the project in 2014, over 250,000 kwh of clean energy has been generated. The array continues to provide clean electricity and serves as a model for renewable energy on campus. Renewable Energy

7 Alternative Transportation Intent: Reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle trips to campus The Auraria Campus is a commuter campus, with most of its student population living off-site. This program area promotes alternative transportation options, including public transit, carpool participation, car shares, and bike use to encourage healthy living, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce campus traffic congestion.

8 Projects Covered Bike Parking Secure bike systems dramatically decrease bike vandalism and theft, while simultaneously encouraging more people to bike instead of drive. They bridge barriers to riding a bike: security, safety, overnight parking, and weather conditions. The Auraria Campus community will have access to a free enclosed bike cage in the Tivoli Parking Garage. It will also serve as a bike hub by providing resources to promote a culture of biking. Project Highlights Accommodates 60 bikes Tied to the Auraria Campus card reader system for bike security Provides an additional bike pump and fix-it station for the campus Includes a kiosk with campus bicycling resources and educational materials The ASCP is partnering with Ride on Auraria to fund the bike pump, fix-it station, and some of the educational signage. This project will be completed in spring Amount Approved: $40,000 Alternative Transportation

9 Water Conservation Intent: Reduce the consumption and associated environmental footprint of water usage The ASCP recognizes the Auraria Campus is located in a semi-arid desert where water can be scarce in times of drought. This program category leverages a modest five percent of ASCP funding by partnering with other organizations to receive water conservation grants. Projects are funded for both interior and exterior water conservation projects.

10 Projects H2O Filling Station The addition of a low-flow, high-efficiency water bottle filling station in the Science Building promotes water bottle reuse instead of purchased bottled water. Amount Approved: $8,000 Project Highlights Displays the number of plastic bottles diverted from the landfill as a result of using the station Saves energy by turning off when the building is closed Offers filtered drinking water and reduces wasted water as compared to standard faucets Environmental Impact: Over 10,000 plastic bottles are prevented from entering the waste stream annually. Water Conservation

11 Recycling and Waste Diversion Intent: Reduce the amount of waste the campus sends to the landfill The ASCP gave life to the Auraria Campus s inaugural recycling program in With most of the infrastructure already in place, the five percent of funds currently allocated to this program category typically goes toward improvements in signage and the purchase of additional receptacles. This program also promotes ongoing education and outreach about campus recycling and composting services.

12 Projects Restroom Composting The ASCP introduced compost-only bins in all Tivoli Student Union restrooms for paper towel disposal. Replacing trash cans with these bins promotes awareness of compostable materials and the benefits of keeping paper products out of the landfill. Amount Approved: $5,000 Environmental Impact: The monthly average waste diversion rate for the Tivoli Student Union has increased by 5%. Big Belly Solar Waste Systems The ASCP has added three-bin solar compacting waste systems in three locations outside of the Tivoli Student Union to efficiently collect waste, recycling, and compostable materials. Because they are powered by solar energy, these systems are 100 percent self sufficient in their energy use. Amount Approved: $40,000 Project Highlights Custodial staff time reduced by approximately 70% in the designated area Compacting equipment handles 5 times more waste than a regular bin Integrated software tracks real-time waste diversion Bins are made of 100% recycled tires Environmental Impact: The bin system results in 15% less fleet vehicle use in the designated area, 3% increase in Tivoli waste diversion, and 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional bins. Recycling and Waste Diversion

13 Food and Gardens Intent: Reduce the environmental footprint associated with traditional landscaping and agriculture The ASCP understands the importance of promoting sustainable food systems and gardens on campus. Five percent of all funding is allocated toward efforts in this program category, including projects in sustainable urban horticulture.

14 Projects Connect Auraria Community Garden In 2014, the ASCP worked with the campus community and Denver Urban Gardens to create a proposal for the Connect Auraria Community Garden, which was unanimously approved that same year. The Community Garden will be available for use beginning in May Amount Approved: $50,000 Project Highlights Provides fresh, seasonal produce in Auraria s urban environment Delivers healthy food alternatives for students on a tight budget Serves as an instructional tool for botany, environmental science, and chemistry courses Projected Impact: Locally grown foods are fresh, taste better, have more nutrients, reduce carbon emissions from transportation, have a reduced risk of contamination, and give people a meaningful connection with their food (Gardening Matters, 2012). Multiple Benefits of Community Gardens Gardening Matters. (2012). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from Multiple Benefits_2012.pdf Food and Gardens

15 Education and Outreach Intent: Spread the word about the responsible and efficient use of natural resources Five percent of ASCP funding is allocated to hands-on engagement of students, faculty, and staff. The ASCP operates education and outreach projects to connect the campus community with its programs, promote awareness of campus sustainability issues and initiatives, and educate how individuals can make an impact.

16 Projects Earth Week In partnership with all three institutions and numerous student groups, the ASCP hosts a collaborative, cross-departmental celebratory week of sustainability-oriented events in honor of Earth Day. Earth Week increases awareness of sustainability efforts on campus and builds a strong base of student involvement with the ASCP. Amount Approved: $8,000 ACSP Internship Program In 2015, additional funding was allocated to expand the ASCP student internship program. Two new student interns were hired to help with outreach and education about sustainability initiatives on campus. The expanded internship program gives students real-world experience in sustainability solutions. It also brings together students from the campus institutions to ensure that ASCP efforts are tri-institutional. Amount approved: $8,000 Education and Outreach

17 An Overview of the Sustainable Campus Program The ASCP receives oversight from the Sustainability Officer for the Auraria Campus. Each year the ASCP Chair, a representative from the Student Advisory Committee to the Board (SACAB), appoints two students from each institution to serve as voting members of the ASCP. Weekly meetings to review and approve funding for project proposals are open to the public. Bottom row from left Brownwyn Mumby, ASCP Chairperson; Ernesto Rodriguez, CU Denver Student Representative; Lexus Porter, CCD Student Representative; Elizabeth Swanson, Sustainability Officer Top row from left Bryan West, CU Denver Student Representative; Clayton Bryant, MSU Denver Student Representative; Hannah Goulding, MSU Denver Student Representative; Kelly Witthuhn, CCD Student Representative; Loki Jones, ASCP Graduate Assistant; Jerry Mason, ASCP Advisor

18 SCP_Contac w w.susta ahec.edu w inableaurari a.org