Campus makes environmentally smart moves

UNC has been increasing its efforts to keep the campus green, especially in the last couple of years. With available education about sustainability and environmental information posted around the campus, the university seems to be making efforts to reduce harmful waste.

The University of Northern Colorado has been named one of four recipients of the City of Greeley’s first Environmental Stewardship Awards, which recognize individuals and businesses for outstanding efforts and strategies for protecting the environment.

Dave Nalley, the Utility Systems and Resource Conservation manager at UNC, said the university has implemented numerous energy and water conservation technologies in the past five years, which has had a positive influence on the carbon footprint of the university.

“Be aware that anything that takes energy costs money,” Nalley said. “Don’t leave a footprint.”

Recycling is the most commonly known form of conservation on campus — there are recycling compartments for paper, cardboard and plastic near all of the residence halls, as well as several bins in academic buildings.

According to the UNC Web site, since 2001, the university has increased its recycling of paper, cardboard and other items from 103,000 pounds annually to more than 521,000.

“We emphasize recycling paper and plastic in the dorms,” said Sheldon Vaughn, a sophomore political science major. “But outside the dorms, it’s hard to recycle anything on campus.”

To save electricity, the university switched 99 percent of all fluorescent light bulbs on campus from T12, 40-watt fluorescent light bulbs to T8, 32-watt fluorescent light bulbs.

This alone generates a 20 percent increase in electricity savings. In addition, the campus has reduced its natural gas and electricity consumption by more than 15 percent since 2002 through the use of various energy-efficient equipment and energy conservation practices.

As for water conservation, UNC has installed more than 2,000 low-flow toilets and showerheads, saving nearly $70,000 annually. The facilities management has also eliminated afternoon watering of the UNC grounds from noon to 6 p.m.

“So far, UNC has re-commissioned four buildings on campus, which consists of evaluating what needs to be done to maximize efficiency,” Nalley said.

Students can do several small things in daily living to reduce their carbon footprint, including shutting off light switches when leaving a room, recycling as much as possible and taking shorter showers.

Ashley Stolba, a sophomore sports and exercise science major, said most students seem to be aware of the environment; but for many, it is in the back of their mind.
Stolba also said it’s important for students in the dorms to turn off their lights and air conditioners when they leave, because it reduces the amount of energy wasted.

Students are encouraged to report any waste of resources to conservation@unco.edu or to Facilities Management at 970-351-2446. To learn 20 ways to “go green,” visit unco.edu/housing/pdf/20sustainsavedbfinal.pdf.