To find out what SAIC is currently doing to promote environmental responsibility on campus, representatives from the Student Activists sat down with Michelle Maynard and Bert Schlingmann from the Instructional Resources and Facilities Management office (IRFM). Michelle and Bert are working hard to improve SAIC’s current programs such as recycling services and energy efficiency on campus. They are also constantly seeking out more information about emerging green initiatives, and are striving to make SAIC even more green, with many new projects in the works!
With the goal of bringing SAIC to the leading edge of green innovation, one obvious challenge is that all the SAIC buildings (with the exception of the 162 dorm) are older buildings, built before the current concerns of energy efficiency. IRFM has the long-term goal of having SAIC become an officially certified “Green” campus, but realistically that is a ways off. In the meantime, however, they are taking significant steps towards this goal.
Lights throughout SAIC buildings are being rigged with timers and occupancy sensors to decrease wasted energy. SAIC is working to decrease energy use in its dorms as well. Incandescent light bulbs are being replaced with CFLs in all dorm rooms, which will result in 147.3 tons of coal NOT being burned for electricity, and 206 metric tons of CO2 NOT being released in the atmosphere. 1,729,530 gallons of water will be saved annually thanks to the new low-flow restrictions being installed in dorm showers and sinks.
SAIC is also working to make the campus infrastructure itself more environmentally-conscious. New carpeting is made of recycled and recyclable materials. New flooring is gradually being installed in dorm rooms and campus buildings made of the sustainable and all-natural product, forbo marmoleum tile. Marmoleum is made from entirely renewable resources (jute, wood flour, rosin, and linseed oil.) It is non-toxic in its production, installation, use, maintenance, and disposal, and eliminates the need for toxic chemicals normally used in the stripping and waxing of traditional flooring.
When purchasing new furniture for campus, IRFM seeks out environmentally-friendly companies and products made from renewable resources. For instance, when IRFM constructed their new office core in the Sharp Building about a year ago they purchased new desks made from 100% sustainable materials.
Instructional Resources and Facilities Management is seeking out environmentally-friendly trash bags, paper products, and other consumable items used in housekeeping. In addition, green cleaning products are used across campus by housekeeping staff.
Allied Waste, SAIC’s contractor for trash and recycling removal, supplies SAIC with a monthly report about SAIC’s recycling efforts. For instance, in the month of January alone, SAIC produced over 53 tons of garbage, and 16.62 tons of recyclables. Recyclables in January consisted of 13.3 tons of cardboard, 3 tons of mixed paper, and 0.33 tons of co-mingled paper, metal, and plastics, saving SAIC $830, and keeping 21 cubic yards of recyclable material out of the landfill. Along with collecting and sorting SAIC’s paper, plastic, and metal recyclables, Allied Waste also removes SAIC construction debris. These construction materials are also sorted to identify what can be re-used or re-cycled. It’s not only good for the environment, but it also makes economic sense.
The SAIC Student Activists are working with IRFM and Residence Life to reduce the mountains of waste that are created at SAIC the end of the semester. Last year, when students were moving out of the dorms, 27 tons of trash was created in 3 days! Not only is this shockingly wasteful, but it’s also expensive: SAIC has to pay by the ton and per pickup.
Looking towards the future, Instructional Resources and Facilities Management is seeking out new opportunities to make SAIC more green. Not only because it is the ethical and environmentally-friendly thing to do, but also because long-term it can save a considerable amount of money!
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