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UWSP | Centers - Sustainability Efforts

Sustainability Efforts

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The Dreyfus University Center was designed and built with consideration for LEED Silver Certification standards.

During construction, all possible construction material was recycled by Miron Construction, and diverted from landfill. 75% of the existing building and structure was reused. This included brick, concrete block, concrete debris, glass, wood, and other items removed from the pre-construction facility. All possible pre-construction furniture and office system equipment from the pre-construction facility was reused or re-cycled by the campus Surplus Property Store.

Heat islands were reduced around the building by having trees planted on the west side of the building and a pergola constructed by the north parking lot. HVAC system was designed around zones with the building that allowed control of temperature during usage. All HVAC and lighting systems were optimized for efficiency by automation and effective use of day lighting. Local and regional materials were used where ever possible within the building.

University Dining Services implements “green” practices as a part of the UDS Roundtable.

Also see the campus sustainability site for more information about sustainability at UWSP.

University Store and Text Rental

  • The University Store stocks "green" and recycled products including re-usable bottles and glassware, organic cotton t-shirts, recycled notebooks and folders, etc.
  • The University Store offers reusable cloth bags for purchase at the registers as an alternative to paper or plastic bags. These bags are eligible for a 5 cent rebate each time they are reused in the University Store.
  • The University Store will begin offering biodegradable plastic bags in the fall 2009 semester.
  • Text Rental by its very nature is a "green" program in that textbooks are recycled for a number of semesters, saving students money while saving the environment.

Building and Equipment

  • All windows are light filtering to reduce passive heat gain.
  • Many east and south facing windows have 3M light film applied to further reduce passive heat gain and improve occupant work environments.
  • Interior rooms and corridors were designed to permit a maximum amount of natural light for way finding and aesthetic consideration.

Plumbing

  • All new water fountains are equipped with filler spouts for ease of filling Nalgene and other non-disposable water bottles.
  • All DUC toilet fixtures are low-flow units.
  • All urinals are low-flow auto-flush.

Lighting

  • All public and office area lights are motion sensor activated to turn off when areas are not in use.
  • All public and office area lighting units are energy saving fluorescent.
  • Spotlights in the concourse of the DUC have been replaced with compact fluorescent units.

Custodial Operations

  • Green cleaning products are used whenever possible.
  • We are moving to compostable plastic bags for refuse collection.
  • Cleaning chemicals are purchased in bulk whenever possible to reduce cost and reduce disposables.
  • Staff is instructed to turn off large meeting room and other light when areas are not in use.
  • Plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, and packaging materials are collected and recycled by the campus.

Vending Operations

  • Machines are “energy star” compliant and refrigerated machines are power cycled off in the evening and at off-peak times to conserve energy.
  • Sales of vending products help support the UWSP Campus Recycling program.
  • Bottled water is no longer sold via the vending machine to encourage use of water bottles and reduce plastics on campus.