News & Messages

2013 Campus Sustainability Report Release

H. Jared, Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

The 2013 Campus Sustainability Report will be presented to Chancellor Folt and the UNC community at 12 p.m. on November 15th, at the Campus Sustainability and America Recycles Day celebration. This comprehensive assessment of sustainable policies, practices, curricula, and behaviors highlights Carolina’s adoption of sustainability as a core value and strategic planning tool. Key findings include:

  • Energy saving measures resulted in a 33% reduction in energy use per square foot since 2003.
  • Investments in reclaimed water, harvested rainwater, and water efficiency have reduced Carolina’s potable water use by 60% per square foot since 2000.
  • Two new laboratory buildings- the Koury Oral Health Sciences Building and the Genome Sciences Building- are certified LEED Gold.
  • Over 330 undergraduate and graduate courses offer sustainability-related content.
  • Expanded recycling and composting programs and a growing number of “Carolina Green Certified” events are reducing the campus waste stream.
  • The first pan-campus theme, a three-year focus on “Water In Our World,” encourages collaboration and engagement to address the many dimensions of water in our lives.
  • $778 million in research funding provides more opportunities for students and faculty to address the greatest challenges of our times.
  • 25% of food purchased by Carolina Dining Services (CDS) is obtained within 250 miles of campus or is third party certified.

The campus community will celebrate these accomplishments and more at Campus Sustainability and America Recycles Day on Friday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union. Departments and organizations will present exhibits and displays on their sustainability initiatives.

The full 2013 Campus Sustainability Report will be available at the celebration and online through the Sustainability Office website.

Plastic bags, cell phones, batteries and electronic devices will be accepted for proper recycling in celebration of America Recycles Day. Attendees who have made their online Carolina Green pledge to make more sustainable choices will have the chance to pick up their free, reusable Carolina Green water bottle (while supplies last). You may complete the pledge at carolinagreen.unc.edu. Participants who play exhibitor bingo will have the chance to win a variety of sustainability-related prizes, including a custom-built bicycle.

Campus Sustainability and America Recycles Day is free and open to the public. For more information, visit go.unc.edu/CSD2013. The celebration is sponsored by the UNC Sustainability Office, Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, and the Environmental Affairs Committee of Student Government.

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