DePaul continues its green efforts

October 19, 2009
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From newly installed solar panels to Chartwells sustainable practices, DePaul continues its green efforts across campus.

This summer, 34 solar light poles were installed to reduce electricity usage and illuminate the campus using the power of the sun. The Student Government Association (SGA) secured funding for the solar light poles, which have been placed on the east end of the campus, just south of Concert Hall.  In addition, solar light poles and new power panels were installed in the Quad.

“We’re starting to see a lot more schools experimenting with going green, but the technology is still new to some industries,” says Mike Bosco, project manager for Rex Electric, which installed the lights and panels. “For DePaul to step up and install these solar lights is a big step forward toward building on the university’s ongoing green initiatives.” 

Ernie Nathan, president and owner of Illinois Solar Products, which supplied some of the lights, says he agrees that more universities are looking into solar-powered products, but not as many as he’d like.

“There are very few universities implementing this right now,” he says, adding that the initial costs are often viewed as prohibitive. “But someone like DePaul, with a long-term vision, is doing the right thing and making the right decision by going with solar.”

Nathan says the long-term payback—both economic and environmental—far outweighs the initial cost. “The lights use less electricity and reduce pollution, plus with the incentives from Uncle Sam to use more solar, the cost to DePaul is significantly reduced. You’ll get a good chunk of money back in terms of rebates.”

DePaul’s Dining Services also is committed to socially responsible practices. “Chartwells is proud to lead the foodservice industry by implementing ground-breaking policies that champion sustainability,” says Stephanie Moye, director of operations. “These policies include the use of certified seafood; cage-free shell eggs; hormone and antibiotic-free chicken, turkey and pork; hormone-free milk; greenware; and Fair-Trade Certified sustainable coffee.”

According to Moye, Chartwells promotes food waste awareness to students through its Project Clean Plate program and trayless dining. It also uses its Trim Trax program to reduce kitchen production waste and supports composting through its Project Green Thumb program.

Bob Janis, vice president for Facility Operations, says other initiatives across campus include a “green roof” being planned for the roof of the DePaul Center on the Loop Campus. In addition, DePaul has revised the materials used in its landscape maintenance operation to more organic products that are free of toxic pesticides. “We’re also modifying the cleaning product schedule for all existing buildings with the goal of eliminating all volatile and toxic products,” he says.

In collaboration with the SGA, Document Services has switched to Domtar Earth Choice paper, which has been endorsed by The Rainforest Alliance, the Sustainable Forest Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council. 

DePaul’s commitment to recycling includes using an in-plant method through which 90 percent of recyclables are extracted by hand from the general waste stream. “DePaul supplements the in-plant sorting with the placement of recycling containers across the campus that help to improve quantities of materials recycled while helping to educate the campus community,” Janis explains.

He encourages faculty and staff to do their part by taking advantage of the recycling containers, shutting off the lights in offices and classrooms when leaving them for any quantity of time and using travel or other reusable mugs or cups for coffee and other drinks instead of disposables.“All of these efforts add up and contribute to the larger collective effort and our success in becoming more sustainable.”

 

 

Did you know DePaul…

…is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Challenge and has completed in excess of $5 million in energy related projects in the new millennium, focusing mainly on lighting and HVAC system retrofits?

… has developed all of its projects in the past 10 years in accordance with the City  of Chicago’s Department of the Environment code related to energy conservation?

…participated in Commonwealth Edison’s (Com Ed) Retro-Commissioning project, which is partially funding several sustainability projects at DePaul Center and CDM in the Loop?

…finished several mechanical equipment upgrades with new equipment that uses less energy and reduces carbon footprint and that this was achieved through rebate funding from Com Ed?