Sustainable Operations

Campus Operations aim to conserve energy and reduce carbon and waste

Buildings

• Aiken Hall is a LEED Gold Certified building (see Aiken factsheet).
• Green roof at IDX Center which eases storm water runoff, keeps building cooler in the summer, and keeps building warmer in the winter
• Building rehab and renovations to seal building envelop, upgrade windows, use Energy efficient HVAC systems, and other features which have produced average energy savings around 50%
• Partnership with Recycle North to donate old usable furniture and salvage building materials when we renovate

Cooling

• Ice storage tank that builds ice for cooling on off -peak rates
• Elimination of ethylene glycol in cooling systems
• Night purge of academic buildings for reduced nighttime cooling

Dining Services

• Local Food Purchasing; Vermont Fresh Network member
• Fair Trade & Organic Coffee
• Pre & Post-consumer composting
• Heat capture system on dishwasher

Grounds

• All lawn debris goes to the Intervale composting center
• All forest products go to the McNeil electricity generating plant for fuel
• Storm water retention system expansion with the renovation of Perry Hall

Heating

• Digital carbon monoxide monitor sensors for residential life student safety
• Automated classroom controls for class scheduling
• Digital control scheduling for administrative offices
• Holiday mode controls for administrative buildings
• CO2 sensors in large spaces for temperature controls
• Variable frequency drives on large mechanical systems for electrical savings

Lighting

• Increased use of motion sensor lighting
• Compact florescent light bulb exchange program

Renewable Energy / Co-generation

• Co-generation plant at 4 Cedar Lane to produce electricity while heating the building
• Exploring use of Geothermal heating for Perry Hall renovation
• Replacing fleet vehicles with more fuel efficient models

Transportation

• Campus Area Transportation Management Association member, including Walk/ride incentive program and FREE rides on CCTA buses
• Cyclists have access to shower facilities
• Free shuttle service on campus, to off-site parking lots, and Spinner Place
• Host for two CarShare Vermont cars
• 2008 Way To Go! Commuter Challenge Award

Water

• Installation of low flow shower heads in all residence halls which result in 30% savings
• Modulation of boiler water temperatures
• Regulate hot water discharge with new hot water mixing valves
• Replacing all campus washing machines with high efficiency models

Waste reduction

• Single stream recycling for wide variety of paper products, plastics #1-7, glass, and aluminum. See full list on the CSWD website 
• Pre and post-consumer composting in the dining hall
• Refill discounts at Jazzman's Café for bringing your own mug

Partnerships with

• Burlington Electric, Campus Area Transportation Management Association, CarShare Vermont, CCTA, Chittenden Solid Waste District, Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Fresh Network, Vermont Gas

Contacts:

• Tom Bonnette, Physical Plant Director
• Ted DiGrande, Dining Services General Manager
• Christina Erickson, Sustainability Coordinator