AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub

The Power of Ethical Sourcing and Ecolabels: Perspectives from Fair Trade USA, Marine Stewardship Council and the Forest Steward

• Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)

With thousands of products on shelves and hundreds of ecolabels, making purchasing decisions that provide positive benefits to the environment and society can be confusing for professionals and consumers. The ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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On-site Power Purchase Agreements 101: What you really need to know

• Yale University (CT)
• Community Energy, Inc. (PA)
• Second Nature (MA)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

In an effort to address climate change universities across the nation have made formal commitments and set targets to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions. They are now grappling with how ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Purchasing: Developing a "LEED for Purchasing"

• American University (DC)
• AASHE (PA)

The potential for purchasing to positively influence supply chains has yet to be realized at scale, due largely to the lack of an overall sustainable purchasing framework. Lacking a coherent ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Farm to Institution New England: Successes & Lessons Learned in Institutional Local Food Procurement

• Skidmore College (NY)
• Farm to Institution New England (VT)

After several years of farm to institution projects and initiatives in the northeast, there have been many successes and many important lessons learned. This panel will highlight the ways that ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Off-site Power Purchase Agreements: How Long-term Contracts Can Reduce Emissions and Energy Costs

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
• ERG Consulting Firm (MA)

Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive emission reduction goals as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. Electricity use commonly ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Paper Sourcing: Easy Wins on Campus, Huge Impacts in the Forest

• Forest Stewardship Council (MN)
• World Wildlife Fund (DC)

Overall paper consumption globally is on the rise. In the US alone we consume 500 lbs. of paper per capita, which is more than any other country. 40% of the ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Opportunities for Wind and Solar Technology Education: Stabilize Energy Costs

• MV Green Power LLC (TX)

The presenters will also describe methods of incorporating the latest information on renewable energy technologies, solar and wind, into college course curricula. We also discuss ways of integrating these renewable ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Local Sourcing for Agriculturally Disadvantaged Universities

• Northern Arizona University (AZ)

Sourcing local is an important and growing standard for dining services across the nation’s campuses. The benefits of local sourcing do not stop at the loading dock with quality ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Redux: Re-examining Wood’s Role as a Sustainable Material

• Perkins+Will (NY)

High performance sustainable design is often linked to advancements in materials and new technologies, however tried-and-true design practices and traditional materials are an increasingly important part of the practice of ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: Analyzing Supply Chain Emissions and Activities at Portland Community College

• Portland Community College (OR)

Portland Community College is required to report on their GHG footprint, by the ACUPCC. In 2006, the college’s first GHG reporting period, we used Second Nature’s Clean Air-Cool ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Life Cycle Analysis to Assess and Reduce the Footprint of "Mega-Events" at the University of Arizona

• University of Arizona (AZ)

Many universities have invested significant resources to reduce environmental impacts associated with their larger events, including “zero waste” strategies and offsets. This presentation presents methods, results, and discussion of our ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting People to Products and Services: Creating Active Citizenry Through Knowledge Systems

• College of Charleston (SC)

In 2005, The College of Charleston joined the Fair Labor Association in response to pressure from students, faculty, and staff, to be more cognizant of the impacts of their corporate ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Food Metrics: Accountability, Efficiency, and Equity

• Emory University (GA)

How do we assess whether our campus food services are doing their part to support a larger sustainability vision for higher education? Diverse metrics around procurement (such as commitments to ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Factoring Supply Chain into Scope 3 GHG Reporting

• Emory University (GA)

Thanks to a push from large corporations such as Wal-Mart, many corporations are tracking the greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain. Knowledge of your supply chain is essential for ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Dining Hall as a Classroom: A Unique Model for a Life-Cycle Analysis Course

• Northwestern University (IL)

Though students, faculty, and the dining service have all shown dedication to sustainable initiatives, there has been little academic research on the sustainability of our campus dining service. This year ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Novel Alternative to Purchasing Carbon Off-Sets

• Utah State University (UT)

Nearly one-fifth (19%) of Utah State University's (USU) carbon emissions result from faculty, staff and students traveling on business. Travelers logged over 17 million miles in air travel and ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Cleaning: Your Janitorial Service as a Recruiter

• Green Seal (DC)
• ServiceMaster Building Maintenance

Using a certified green cleaning service, whether an outside contractor or in-house staff, has many benefits for a college or university. Protecting the health of students, faculty and staff, as ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making an Orderly Transition to Safer Chemicals, Materials and Products

• Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
• Staples Business Advantage (MA)

Emerging market opportunities driven by consumer demand and changing regulations in the U.S. and abroad are compelling businesses and organizations up and down the supply chain to ask their ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Strategies and Collective Opportunities for Procuring Renewable Electricity for Higher Education Institutions

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)

Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive carbon reduction goals as part of their efforts to become more sustainable and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. The purchase of renewable ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Banning Bottled Water on the College Campus; Beyond Excuses

• Pacific Lutheran University (WA)

This paper examines case studies of three very different universities across the US and Canada, all of whom have enacted a policy of responsible water management in their purchasing. They ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Foam-Free Dining at the University of Florida

• Aramark Higher Education (PA)

Gator Dining Services/ARAMARK removed all foam food packaging from all dining location, including the dining halls, Classic Fare Catering, and the national brands on University of Florida's campus ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Purchasing Beyond STARS

• University of Calgary (AB)

The product categories applicable for STARS sustainable purchasing credits (computers, cleaning products and office paper) account for less than 1% of total expenditures on materials, supplies and services at the ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing Large Scale Solar on Campus: Lessons Learned

• University of San Diego (CA)
• AMSOLAR International (CA)

The University of San Diego entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement in 2010 with AMSOLAR, a solar development company focused on the education sector. The project was completed in ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Power of Collaboration to Grow the Clean Energy Economy

• College of Lake County (IL)
• Heartland Community College (IL)

With the rapid emergence of energy efficiency and clean energy innovations, the higher education sector must meet new demands to maintain up-to-date facilities, to retain a highly skilled staff, and ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Combining Bottled Water Reductions with Outreach: E-Signage for Hydration Stations at The University of British Columbia

• University of British Columbia (BC)

In order to reduce purchases of bottled water at The University of British Columbia (UBC), the Alma Mater Society (AMS) installed two Waterfillz hydration stations in the UBC Student Union ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Know Your Products, Know Yourself: Learning to Be An Environmentally Just Student

• University of Colorado Boulder (CO)

In the sustainability world we are bombarded constantly on how consumerism impacts our environment, but we rarely hear about the social impact. At this session participants will learn how their ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Costs and Performance of LEED Platinum Buildings

• California Institute of Technology (CA)
• Davis Langdon, An AECOM Company (CA)

Most owners or facility managers would entertain the idea of achieving LEED platinum certification for their next project. There are two basic questions they have when asked to incorporate a ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Transitioning CSU San Bernardino to a Sustainable Vision: A Benefits-Cost Analysis Framework for Project Assessment and Social Benefit Valuation

• Marylhurst University (OR)

Transitioning to sustainable business practices is a goal which many organizations have undertaken, but with mixed results and a myriad of tools. The transition can be complicated by not having ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making Sense of the Label: A Collaboration Between Chemistry Graduate Students and University Facilities to Rank and Compare Green Cleaning Products

• University of Oregon (OR)

Green cleaning products are traditionally considered based on vendor recommendations and third-party certifications as well as cleaning efficacy. A desire to satisfy the green cleaning standards for LEED certification raises ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Changing Your Paradigm - Choose With Purpose and Create Inclusive, Sustainable Environments

• Portland State University (OR)
• Washington State University, Pullman (WA)

As one of the largest classrooms on campus, recreation centers have an impact on our environmental and social sustainability. By using three real-world case studies of significant purchasing choices, this ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing Food Purchasing Guidelines

• Luther College (IA)

This poster will outline the process and outcome of developing food purchasing guidelines for Luther's goal to source more food from sustainable sources. In 2008 Luther College made the ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bridging the Digital Divide Through E-Waste Diversion And Electronic Resources Management

• Temple University (PA)

This session will provide a case study of how a university can implement a life-cycle management approach to electronic waste that is financially sustainable and that works to bridge the ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Business Case for Sustainable Procurement of Office Supply Commodities at West Virginia University

• West Virginia University (WV)

Today, sustainability in higher education is permeating beyond conventional green practices into purchasing, spending, and investment decisions. It is seen as an opportunity to minimize costs, reduce negative impacts, and ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Paper Steps on Campus - 9 Steps to Protecting the Climate and Reducing Waste through Campus Paper Policies

• Environmental Paper Network (ID)

Paper is changing the climate. Paper's impact is one of our planet's most significant environmental challenges. The industry uses vast amounts of fossil fuels and chemicals, prevents forests ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Cost of Printing vs. iPads: A Paperless Student Union at University of British Columbia

• University of British Columbia (BC)

As touchscreen technologies continue to advance in functionality and decrease in cost, more organizations will need to carefully examine their ability to replace paper use with such devices. A group ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Values-Based Revolution

• University of Pittsburgh (PA)

The Values-Based Revolution

This presentation could have been titled From Green to Gold to Platinum, as the 2008 book written by David C. Etsy and Andrew S. Winston titled Green ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Campus Re-use store: What's Old is New Again!

• Bowling Green State University (OH)

The campus re-use store opened in spring, 2011 to huge popular acclaim and participation by the student body. Conceived, organized and implemented by students with the support, guidance and advice ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Leading by Example: Advancing Sustainability at the Institutional Level Through Performance Contracting

• Siemens Industry, Inc. (IL)

This school has embarked on a campus-wide, state-wide, 5-phase holistic energy project over 8 years that is estimated at a staggering $60 million in energy efficiency retrofits. A project of ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Organizing Campuses to Think Outside the Bottle

• American University (DC)
• Edison Energy (CA)

At a time when the global water crisis is looming large, leaving over a billion people without access to enough safe drinking water to meet their basic needs, students are ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Certified Paper: An Integral Part of Sustainable Practices on Campus

• University of San Diego (CA)
• Domtar Corporation (SC)

Forest certification was launched over a decade ago to help protect forests from destructive logging practices and demonstrate to consumers that a wood or paper product comes from forests managed ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing a Large-Scale Solar Project on Campus

• AMSOLAR International (CA)

A large private university entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement in 2010 with a solar development company focused on the education sector. The project was completed in fall 2010 ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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When did Cleaning get so Colorful? Green and Blue Cleaning

• Aramark Higher Education (PA)

Ever heard of blue cleaning? Technological advances in improving indoor environmental quality are rapidly changing the approach to cleaning in our colleges and universities. First came green cleaning - now comes ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Greening Your Cleaning - Adopting sustainable cleaning practices that focus on the Triple Bottom Line

• Ithaca College (NY)

This presentation gives the learner a solid understanding of how green cleaning programs can help reduce environmental and economic foot print, reduce labor and bring social and environmental responsibility into ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond Local: Food Purchasing Criteria, Student Farm Audits and the Veg Yourself Pledge

• Luther College (IA)

Food purchasers have ever more considerations to keep in mind when making buying decisions. Which criteria are the most important? At some point it becomes important to define our goals ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Saving Paper with LEAF: Creating and Implementing a Green Education Program

• Southern Methodist University (TX)

What do a cardstock placard, a one-hour discussion, and a "green certification" all have in common? They are all simple ways to transform your campus into a sustainable community. An ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Driving Down Energy Use While Your IT Load Increases

• Stanford University (CA)

In January 2009 Stanford University undertook the challenge of reducing electricity and chilled water usage in the main 20,000 square foot datacenter.

A year later, IT Load is up ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Protecting the Climate and Reducing Waste through Campus Paper Policies

• University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
• National Wildlife Federation (VA)

The RePaper Project, a project of the Environmental Paper Network, recently

released a new resource that complements the theme of conference. "Paper

Steps on Campus: Nine Steps to Protecting the ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Office Supply Tote Program

• University of Notre Dame (IN)

The University of Notre Dame has partnered with Office Depot to launch the first reusable Tote Program in the Midwest and only the second in the nation. The majority of ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Commitments, Actions & Economics: Managed Print Services

• Cleveland State University (OH)
• FirstMetrix Corporation (OH)
• Xerox Corporation (MN)

Cleveland State University committed to a goal of developing, designing and implementing an enterprise wide document output strategy that is consistent with the Unviersity's mission and commitment to environmental ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Frugality: The Missing Link in the Discussion about Sustainability

• Pepperdine University (CA)

Following a particular interpretation of the Brundtland Report, many politicians, economists, environmentalists and others have opted for a specific type of sustainable development that argues implicitly as well as explicitly ...

• Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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