Sustainability News

Beginning January of 2008, ASU Paint Services started a Recycled Paint Program. Throughout the years, the Paint Shop accumulates a surplus of perfectly usable water-based paint. Our paint is received from numerous sources, including campus departments, outside contractors, and on occasion it is just left outside our doors.

The Paint Shop has very limited storage space. At one time, we were able to send overstock to Surplus Property. However, in the Fall of 2007, the criteria had changed, and so hundreds of gallons that we attempted to deliver to Surplus could no longer be accepted. We were told that if the paint buckets had been opened, they were no-longer acceptable.

We considered pouring the paint into our 55 gallon hazardous waste containers, and having Environmental Health and Safety take it away. The downside to this, is that it is a costly service, and we learned that the containers are delivered to an unspecified location somewhere in Utah. It became apparent that this plan would be expensive on many levels, and all for the disposal of good, useable paint.

That is when we decided to start our Reclaimed Paint Program. So far, hundreds of gallons of paint have been condensed and consolidated, strained and then stored in 5-gallon buckets with a sample of the color painted on the lid. In addition, each full bucket has a recycled vinyl label, courtesy of the ASU Campus Signage.

The Paint Shop has been using the recycled paint for a variety of work so far, including covering graffiti, painting restrooms, handrails, exterior doors, and as a primer for new construction and accent walls. Some of the recycled paint has been donated to ASU students for various campus projects.

We have been and continue to keep records on dates, and on the quantity of paint coming in and going out. So far, we have accounted for having used 315 gallons of this paint.

Roseann Barton

Painting Supervisor

Sustainability is All About Efficiency

These days most of us are consumed with budget concerns and the economy. It’s times like these that people often question the relevance of sustainability. Yet, the very tenants of sustainability can help us reduce costs. I like to say that we have the greatest opportunity in our challenge areas, but it takes some creativity; the opportunity here is to take a thoughtful look at our practices and make changes to save money while also reducing waste.

WalMart has emerged as a leader in sustainability. If you look at their long-standing business model, this is not surprising. A major component of their operating philosophy has been to save costs and increase profit margins by maximizing efficiency. They designed their approach to sustainability with a focus on mitigating waste – solid waste, wasted energy, and transportation dollars are examples. ASU shouldn’t be any different.

I’ve observed on campus what I call “NMBS” or “Not My Budget Syndrome”. Most of the operating costs for the university come from a centralized pool of money, not from individual departments and yet those departments’ actions influence the expenditures. There are savings all around us – and especially in areas that in the past have seemed beyond our purview.

ASU’s utility budget is the pool of money that pays for water, purchased electricity, generated electricity, and waste disposal (among other things) on all four campuses. It is also one of the largest non-personnel expenditures of the university budget which we can actually influence. However, it takes all of us working together to make significant change. Turning off lights and computers when they are not needed is an example. Fewer kilo-watt hours used is actually dollars saved.

Looking at our solid waste footprint, we can do even more. ASU is charged less to handle recycling than to handle trash and actually receives a rebate on cardboard. We can also save money by producing less trash/recycling in general – fewer water bottles and less paper going into the waste stream means an automatic savings to the university. Changing printing practices reduces the amount of paper you need to purchase for departments, as well as fewer printer cartridges.

My advice, look at the “waste” in your department to capture the savings for the entire university that will propel us into the future while practicing the very core of sustainability.

Bonny Bentzin

Manager, University Sustainability Business Practices

If there had been a Global Institute of Sustainability, or a similar program, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte when Dawn Ratcliffe was a student in the mid-’90s, life would have been different for her.

Ratcliffe would not have majored in English and communications. She would have gone straight to her first loves, the environment and human and animal rights, without taking the slightest detour. So why didn’t Ratcliffe, who is now ASU’s Tempe campus recycling coordinator, simply change schools? “I really liked that college,” she said.

After she graduated from UNC Charlotte, Ratcliffe had a variety of work and volunteer experiences, ranging from planting and harvesting organic vegetables to manning a spay-neuter hotline.

So how did Ratcliffe get from North Carolina to the Southwest? She came to Arizona in 2006 to serve as campaign manager for Arizonans for Humane Farms (Prop 204), which was on the 2006 ballot. After the election she worked briefly at the ASU Office of Sustainability Initiatives, helping create databases of foundations that fund environmental and community development projects. There were no jobs at ASU, so I moved back to North Carolina.”

Not too long after she returned east, Kerry Suson, ASU’s former manager of recycling, took a job as program manager for ASU Surplus Property. Because of this move, Ratcliffe’s dream was realized, and she started work at ASU March 31.

Her biggest challenge in the last few months has been “trying to get multiple facets of the newly expanded recycling program up and running simultaneously.” Though the pace is slow, Ratcliffe is optimistic that one day ASU will have zero waste.

Ratcliffe learned recycling as a child collecting cans. “I produce very little waste,” she said. “The main problem is that a lot of companies use material that should not have been used in the first place, like Styrofoam.”

Dawn Ratcliffe

Program Coordinator, Grounds Dept, Recycling

DO recycle all of the items listed in this link in your commingled bins: http://uabf.asu.edu/recycling_commingled. Please note that aerosol cans will most likely not be accepted  with the other commingled items in the near future – we are waiting on a final confirmation from ADEQ.

DO recycle toner cartridges, ASU-generated batteries, packaging peanuts, bubble wrap, cardboard, shredded paper, etc. For more info, visit:http://uabf.asu.edu/recycling_at_asu.

DO break down and flatten all cardboard boxes before recycling them and remove all trash or other recyclables and place those items in the appropriate container.

DON’T put the following items in the commingled or cardboard bins: glass, pizza boxes, plastic wrap, plastic bags, Styrofoam, packaging peanuts, food, liquids, rubber bands, paper clips, or trash of any kind.

DON’T put hazardous waste in recycling or trash cans. When in doubt about what chemicals constitute hazardous waste, please contact Environmental Health and Safety

DON’T ask custodial staff to empty the larger 96 gallon and 40 gallon bins. As your building comes on board with the new program, custodial staff will start servicing your seven gallon desk side bins and 23 gallon bins. After the new program debut in your building, we will permanently pull your 40 gallon bins and 96 gallons (with the exception of a few areas that ASU Recycling will continue to service) when we are able to get to them.

Dawn Ratcliffe

ASU Tempe Campus Recycling Coordinator

Carpet America Recovery Effort names Shaw Industries the Large Recycler of the Year. Shaw has recycled more than 100 million pounds of post-consumer carpet through the Evergreen Nylon Recycling facility, gaining industry recognition.

The ASU Sign Shop (Environmental Graphic Design Group) has been designing and maintaining sustainable signage on the ASU campus for over twenty years. The vast majority of the signage on all campuses has either been recycled from older sign parts, or will be refurbished to become another sign in the future as they are maintained. The standard ASU office sign is already made from some sustainable materials such as the Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) backer board, which is comprised of 100% reclaimed wood fibers from mills in California and uses a non-formaldehyde binder. The information portion of the sign consists of the plastic ADA compliant tactile/Braille room number.

For the GIOS building we eliminated all of the adhesives and acrylic from each sign, with the exception of the adhesive-backed tactile/Braille portion of the sign and the vinyl inserts. This new more sustainable sign consists of the same MDF backer board. The sign is easily maintained by pulling the sheet of steel out of the sign and running it through a sander to remove any scratches or vandalism.

Although the Sign Shop doesn’t have an exact number, the estimate is there are likely over 20,000 J-types spread across all of the ASU campuses. Hypothetically, each one of these J-types could be modified to the new sustainable version should the need arise. As spaces are remodeled, the signs often need to be upgraded. Most of the aluminum on the office signs before 2000 was painted, and now all of the aluminum is left raw and is brushed for aesthetics. Instead of recycling the aluminum and buying new aluminum sign parts, the paint is removed with a soy-based non-toxic paint stripper, and then the often scratched plastic is replaced with 400 series stainless steel.

In addition to the redesigned J-type sign, the sign shop sent less than 10% of the manufacturing waste products to the landfill. All of the scrap plastic from the tactile/Braille manufacturing process is recycled, as well as the plastic sheeting the vinyl comes on. Some of the scrap plastic was also utilized to make the GIOS building directories and stairwell fire code signage.

Ryan McFadden

Environmental Graphic Designer

ASU Recycling has a new addition to our team thanks to volunteers and private contributions, and we need your help in naming it! Once you choose the name, our newest team member (a late 60’s golf cart) will be converted into a permanent roving recycling exhibit that will make its first public appearance at ASU’s Homecoming Parade. Please keep in mind that we can paint it, with recycled paint of course, to match the name.

Please click on the circle in front of the name you like the most:

Please visit our website and simply click on Take the Survey! The last day to vote will be Wednesday, November 5.

Dawn Ratcliffe

Program Coordinator, Grounds Dept, Recycling

This blog has been developed in partnership with many of the operational departments at ASU. GIOS, Purchasing and Facilities have taken the lead to bring you the latest information on sustainability that is not always apparent or available to the university community. We hope that this will give you a better understanding how different areas of the university are working for a sustainable ASU. Feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions that will make this a better site. Our email address is sustainabilitypractices@asu.edu.

Vampire Energy is not a ghoulish Halloween prank but a serious loss of energy in all areas of the modern world.

What is it?  “Vampire Energy” or “Phantom Power” is energy that is consumed by an appliance that is not operating for use or is in a “stand-by” mode. Some examples of appliances at risk for this energy loss are computers, televisions, cable boxes, and cordless phones. The loss of energy per appliance isn’t much but when you compound it with the millions of appliances being used today the energy and dollar loss can be significant. Alan Meier of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that a typical home loses 50 watts to these appliance “vampires,” which accounts for approximately five percent of the total household energy bill or approximately one percent of the global CO2 emissions. Compare this to the airline industry, which produces three percent of the global CO2 emissions.

Are we alone? No. Countries worldwide are making efforts to reduce the impact. In 2000, Australia adopted a “one-watt” standard as a target for standby power, becoming the first nation to do so. In 2005, Korea adopted a standby warning label and Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program for consumers with full implementation of the program to occur in 2010. Korea’s CO2 emission reduction target is 53 million ton by the year 2010.

How can we stop this energy loss? Currently, the greatest loss of power is attributed to power transformers and intentional leaks. Intentional leaks exist by design to keep appliances ready to turn on at a moment’s notice. Transformers cannot be turned off because the manufacturer finds it either more convenient or cost effective. However, technology currently exists that can reduce energy loss with a new type of power transformer that uses only one-tenth of the power of previous generations. “Smart Electronic Switches” that turn power off and on by demand also can help to reduce energy loss. Additionally, Energy Star-rated appliances and testers that display energy losses can help consumers determine if they should invest in a new appliance.

Interested in finding out more? http://localcooling.com/info/facts.

Many of you have heard me talk about how our strength is in all the people across the University helping to make our sustainability goals a reality.  We have three main goals – Carbon Neutrality, Zero Waste (water, solid waste), and Active Engagement.  Of those three – active engagement is the most important – we have 80,000 change agents in our small city called ASU – every one of us has a role to play. We have change agents who have already joined in, helping us to pave the way for future accomplishment. You will find them in the Purchasing, Facilities Management, ASU Dining Services, Parking and Transit, Student Affairs and in other “non-traditional areas” such as University Student Government, WP Carey School of Business, the School of Music and the Theater Department – the list goes on.

To better connect all of us – and as a way to champion our efforts and engage others – Sustainability in Action was created as an easy to use tool and resource designed especially for those within or closely tied to ASU’s purchasing and operations areas. I look forward to growing our reach and sharing impacts and ideas on our collective interest in furthering sustainability at ASU.

Bonny Bentzin

Manager, Sustainability Business Practices

PAPER

- Newspapers

- Brown Paper Bags

- Chipboard: cereal boxes, shoe boxes, etc. – remove plastic liners

- Corrugated Cardboard – remove plastic wrappers and flatten

- Magazines and catalogs

- Phonebooks

- Printing and Writing paper

- Paperback books

- Junk Mail – envelope windows and labels are OK, remove other non-paper items

- Other Paper – Pamphlets, brochures, file folders, card stock, etc.

PLASTIC

- Plastic (PETE) Bottles (narrow neck) – soda, water, etc., No trays or baskets

- Plastic (HDPE) Bottles and jugs (narrow neck) – milk, water, juice,

liquid detergents, shampoo, etc. No hazardous material containers*

ALUMINUM

- Aluminum Cans

- Steel/Tin Cans – non-hazardous empty aerosol cans are OK.

Please no other steel.

- Milk Cartons and Drink Boxes

*hazardous materials include pesticides, herbicides, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, etc.

Cathie Fox

Director, Facilities Management

Graphics Information Solutions (GIS), Arizona State University’s Education and Production print laboratory, has announced that it has achieved Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). “We are proud to have reached this milestone, continuing our commitment to sustainability in all activities” said Mike Chiricuzio, Director of GIS, adding “Catherine Skoglund and the GIS Team have once again shown the initiative and leadership that keeps our program on the leading edge.”

GIS invested significant time and over $10,000 in financial resources in this effort, following the overall ASU goal of sustainability as stated by Arizona State University President, Michael M. Crow, “Sustainability is the simple idea that, as human beings, we place a high value on our own quality of life and that of future generations. To be sustainable, our actions must reflect what is important to us – qualities such as clean air, clean water, health, security and prosperity.”

Catherine Skoglund, Manager of Operations and Business Development at GIS notes several key milestones and accomplishments in this effort, “We were certified by Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) on July 23, 2008 and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified on July 25, 2008” adding “ASU Stationery products will proudly carry the message of our certification with the addition of the FSC logo to our ASU watermark on our papers, which are now printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper.”

Dr. Thomas Schildgen, Chair for the Department of Technology Management at ASU is the driving force behind this and all other accomplishments of GIS. Dr. Schildgen comments “The GIS program is yet another example of ASU’s growth as a New American University. GIS is totally self-funded through the provision of business systems print production exclusively for ASU internal clients while providing a hands-on laboratory for students, faculty and staff of the Graphics Communication program.”

Mike Chiricuzio

Director, Graphic Information Solutions

Are you looking for a way to help the environment and save money at the same time?

ASU Parking and Transit Services is committed to providing sustainable transportation solutions, and one such initiative is the car-sharing program, Zipcar, has been at ASU for the past year. Nine lowemission, fuel-efficient vehicles are parked on the Tempe campus for use by the ASU community, including a Civic Hybrid and a MINI Cooper. On August 4th, ASU expanded the Zipcar program to its Downtown Phoenix campus which now houses a Toyota Yaris in the University Center Garage.

Zipcar members have the option of reserving a vehicle for an hour, a day or even a weekend. Membership is just $35 a year for ASU students, faculty and staff. Rates start as low as $9 an hour and include free gas, free insurance, and free maintenance. Reservations can be made online and customers access the vehicle with their Zipcar membership card so there is no waiting for an attendant.

Zipcar is a great option for students living on campus without cars or those who take public transportation to campus but would like the flexibility to run errands during the day. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to get to doctor appointments, go grocery shopping or take a weekend trip out of town. For more information or to sign up for a Zipcar membership, please visit zipcar.com/asu.

Karen Bielak

Information Specialist Parking & Transit

The DPC Facilities and Property Management team has found a way to overcome the space limitations and challenges of its campus footprint and introduce co-mingled recycling to the Downtown Phoenix campus. As part of an urban campus and vibrant downtown community, space is always a challenge and even more so when it comes to recycling. In April 2008, what started as a visibility effort for recycling, transformed into the introduction of a very visible and sustainable co-mingled recycling program for the campus with a novel idea from staff to flip the use of the trash compactors.

While less than visible efforts for recycling were already in place, we found that the bulk of what was being disposed of as trash were items that were recyclable. When the campus opened, we decided that compactors were the most cost efficient method to dispose of trash. Some buildings already had them, new buildings were being designed to accommodate them and plans to convert the balance of the buildings were put in place. Not in hind sight, but we built an infrastructure that would allow for a quick conversion of the primary use of compactors to be for co-mingled recycling rather than trash.

New recycle containers designed to be colored and labeled for paper, plastic and aluminum have been distributed throughout the DPC buildings in the corridors, vending and staff service areas. Blue desk side containers were distributed to offices/work stations that did not already have them. Even though the program is co-mingled, having bins that separate recyclable items helps to minimize the contamination from other waste that typically happens with the one container–recycle all concept, and educates the community at large of what can be recycled and what is actually trash.

Janitorial staff will empty the new containers and pick up desk side once a week as a start, in addition to regular trash pickup, making it easy for staff and faculty to participate. Smaller secondary dumpsters will be used for trash at buildings that do not have a second compactor. We anticipate an overall cost savings for the conversion as fees are less for recycling pick ups, we reduce the volume of trash that is being disposed and are working with one vendor for both trash and recycling.

We chose to make a strategic investment in recycling to further the sustainability efforts of ASU and the Downtown Phoenix campus. The co-mingled recycling program at the DPC will be fully operational by October 1, 2008.

Cathie Fox

Director Facilities Management

The PolyHarvest CSA is a community supported agriculture program that provides fresh, local, organic produce to community members here at ASU’s Polytechnic campus. Students, staff, faculty, and others in surrounding communities all participate by purchasing shares of produce from Crooked Sky Farms, then stopping by every Thursday at Polytechnic’s student union to pick up their share of great produce! By purchasing a “share” of produce in advance, members provide the farm with the financial security required to run farm operations. In return, members receive high quality, local produce and have a chance to become familiar with the source of their food.

Christopher Wharton

Asst Professor/ASUP Nutrition

In an effort to reduce the adverse environmental impact of our purchasing decisions, we have developed “Green Purchasing Policies & Procedures." With these policies we seek alternatives to products and processes which are detrimental to the environment by using more environmentally friendly products and processes. We are stimulating demand for these environmentally friendly products by letting manufacturers and suppliers know the environmental performance we expect in products. Please go to our website for more information.

Gina Webber

Associate Director Purchasing & Business Services

The program allows them to work with the ASU Global Institute of Sustainability to investigate how to mitigate the affects of urban heat islands and the ASU Mars Education Program to build a habitat for humans on Mars.

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School of Life Sciences graduate student Libby Larson experimentally floods a stormwater retention basin at a north Phoenix elementary school in order to better understand nitrogen fluxes and transformations. A ubiquitous feature in the Phoenix metropolitan landscape, stormwater retention basins concentrate water, nutrients, and pollutants and thus can be important places for improving stormwater quality and recharging groundwater, but may also be sources of greenhouse gases.

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Global Institute of Sustainability Building Tour from Institute of Sustainability on Vimeo.

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For more information on the sustainable features of the newly renovated Global Institute of Sustainability Building go here.

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