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Operations, and Organizations > Sustainability Activities
University Commitments, Operations and Organizations
Sustainability Activities
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This list was compiled by Ryan McMullan during his tenure as Environmental Intern for CSES between 1998-2000. We are now in the process of updating the information with the help of Facilities and Engineering and the other groups whose efforts are listed here. If you have any suggestions or information to share, please email us. |
| Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | Energy Efficiency |
| Pollution Prevention | Education / Community Service |
| Transportation | |
| Initiated in:1997 | ||
| Description: Non-Chlorine-based freon, does not deplete stratospheric ozone layer. | ||
| Initiated By: Facilities & Engineering | ||
| Effects: Eliminate ozone depleting chemicals from the chilling process (to provide air conditioning). | ||
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| Description: Registrar and Operations work to reduce wasteful AC | ||
| Initiated By: Facilities & Engineering and Registrar | ||
| Effects: Lower energy consumption, reduction in need to increase chiller capacity | ||
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| Initiated in:1998 | ||
| Description: Insulated mugs, discount if reusable mug used | ||
| Initiated By: Rice Coffeehouse | ||
| Effects: Reduce the use of disposable cups | ||
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| Description: Efficient coproduction of steam and electricity | ||
| Initiated By: Facilities & Engineering | ||
| Effects: Efficient use of fuel resources, decreases the need for off-campus electricity during peak demand hours | ||
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| Description: Custodial staff turn off lights at night and report thermal leaks | ||
| Initiated By: Custodial | ||
| Effects: Less energy wasted when people are not using lights, less energy used for AC with fixed leaks | ||
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| Description: Rechargeable carts for campus travel | ||
| Initiated By: Facilities & Engineering, Housing & Dining, Rice Police Department | ||
| Effects: Reduced emissions on campus, more efficient for short, light trips, more space efficient | ||
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| Initiated in: 1991 | ||
| Description: Gathering of academic and professional communities to discuss environmental topics | ||
| Initiated By: Rice Environmental Club | ||
| Effects: increased awareness and communication | ||
| More Information: Environmental Conference Homepage | ||
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| Program dates:1994-1998 | ||
| Description: Using compact fluorescent lightbulbs in university buildings | ||
| Initiated By: Facilities & Engineering and Housing & Dining | ||
| Effects: Greatly improved energy efficiency and bulb life | ||
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| Description: Uses processed sewage waste for nutrients | ||
| Initiated By: Grounds | ||
| Effects: Recycles city waste into a non-petroleum-based fertilizer | ||
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| Initiated in: 2002 | ||
| Description: Environmental awareness and celebration | ||
| Initiated By: Rice Environmental Club, Citizens' Environmental Coalition | ||
| Effects: Inform local community about environmental issues and celebrate local environment | ||
| More Information: Houston Earth Day Homepage | ||
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| Initiated in: 2002 | ||
| Description: Switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs and modern ballasts | ||
| Initiated By: Facilities & Engineering and Housing & Dining | ||
| Effects: Greatly improved energy efficiency and bulb life | ||
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| Description: Chemistry labs are run using a minimum of chemicals | ||
| Initiated By: Chemistry Department | ||
| Effects: Reduced need for potentially hazardous lab chemicals | ||
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| Description: Mowers mulch grass as it's cut and return it to the lawn | ||
| Initiated By: Grounds | ||
| Effects: Recycles nutrients, reduces solid waste and collection labor | ||
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| Initiated in: 1982 | ||
| Description: Recycles paper, glass, aluminum, metal, cardboard, toner cartridges, and special efforts in the residential colleges | ||
| Initiated By: Recycling Club (1982), Facilities & Engineering and Housing & Dining (1995), Delivery Services for toner cartridges | ||
| Effects: Reduced solid waste and greater resource cycling, in 2001 recycled 27% of total waste | ||
| More Information: Recycling Program Homepage | ||
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| Initiated in: 1996 | ||
| Description: Store and reapply to grounds | ||
| Initiated By: Grounds | ||
| Effects: recycles nutrients, protects grounds, reduces solid waste, reduces purchase of mulch | ||
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| Initiated in: 1999 | ||
| Description: On-campus garden for education and charity | ||
| Initiated By: Rice Student Volunteer Program | ||
| Effects: Education about organic food production, natural interaction in an urban setting, raise quality food for a shelter for women and children | ||
| More Information: Community Garden Homepage | ||
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| Description: Saving cafeteria leftovers for donation to shelters | ||
| Initiated By: Lovett, Will Rice, and Wiess colleges | ||
| Effects: Hungry are fed, and less food wasted and disposed of | ||
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| Initiated in:2000 | ||
| Description: Air quality awareness campaign | ||
| Initiated By: Rice Environmental Club | ||
| Effects: Inform local community about air quality issues | ||
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| Initiated in:1997 | ||
| Description: Compact fluorescents replace halogen lamps | ||
| Initiated By: Housing & Dining | ||
| Effects: Greater safety and energy efficiency | ||
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| Description: Students donate items to Goodwill during move-out | ||
| Initiated By: Residential Colleges, Housing & Dining, Facilities & Engineering | ||
| Effects: Household items are reused for a good cause | ||
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| Description: napkins, hand towels, and toilet paper; dioxin free production | ||
| Initiated By: Housing & Dining, Facilities & Engineering | ||
| Effects: less virgin wood fiber used, no dioxin released in production | ||
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| Program dates:1998-2000 | ||
| Description: Bikes available for use by all | ||
| Initiated By: Rice Environmental Club | ||
| Effects: Reduced car use, familiarize community with bikes, improved convenience | ||
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