Sustainability
The University’s Office of Energy and Sustainability coordinates campus-wide efforts to reduce the University’s carbon footprint, engages students in discussions and programs designed to protect the environment, and develops ways to integrate issues about sustainability into classes and co-curricular learning opportunities, including collaborating with our Tagliatela College of Engineering, which includes professors who are experts in sustainability and green design.
Our team strives to promote a culture of sustainability within the campus community by practicing operational efficiency, innovative collective action, and development of sustainably literate citizens. Key focus areas include evaluating utility performance, strategic planning, and outreach and engagement with students, faculty and staff.
Laura Miller, M.S., LEED GA
Laura oversees energy and sustainability-related projects on campus and is a liaison for student groups.
Prior to joining the University, she worked as an energy technical specialist at the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical geography from the University of Liverpool, a master’s degree in secondary education from Eastern Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree in geography and sustainability from Central Connecticut State University.
She is also credentialed as a LEED green associate and has earned her Green Professional (GPRO) Certification.
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Energy
The University of New Haven tracks energy usage using a centralized Building Management System. A team of staff conducts building audits on a regular basis to identify energy opportunities that increase efficiency where possible.
We are currently in the process of switching to a more energy efficient lighting option. This has led to the installation of LED bulbs around campus. An LED bulb can reduce energy use by as much as 20%-85%. There are also motion sensors installed in a variety of buildings on campus that reduce energy use when there are no occupants.
GreenerU: University of New Haven completes five-year energy program, now seeing $100,000 in annual energy savings ahead
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Recycling
The University of New Haven utilizes single stream recycling. This means that all of your recycling can go into the same recycling receptacle.
Click the recycling logo below to view a flyer that details the types of materials that can go and cannot go into the recycling receptacles.
Visit www.RecycleCT.com for more information.
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Paper Shredding
EnviroShred containers are used on campus for secure disposal of papers with sensitive information. When the containers are full, they are transported to a facility where papers are then shred into the finest level possible to then be recycled. EnviroShred has a 24-hour video surveillance and an Internet portal for clients to view the process, increasing accountability. Additionally, the recycling process used for the paper saves 67% more energy than recycling methods used by other companies. EnviroShred also works to empower and provide meaningful employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities.
Move Out Waste
When students move out they may have items that can be used by others. During move out in May, the Office of Facilities sets up tent locations for items that students no longer want but that can be reused by others. Examples of reusable items include clothing, small appliances (fridges, toaster ovens), cleaning supplies, bedding, and unused, unopened nonperishable food.
In May of 2018, students donated more than 1700lbs of items that were collected by Goodwill.
For more questions about move out waste, contact, Laura Miller.
Hazardous Waste
Examples of common campus sources of hazardous waste include batteries, light bulbs, broken light bulbs, and aerosols. These items are collected separately in Universal Waste receptacles. If you need assistance having these types of hazardous materials removed from your building, please complete a work order through the Office of Facilities on MyCharger using the wrench icon.
Hydration Stations
Since 2014, hydration stations have been installed around campus to encourage use of refillable water containers and lessen the number of plastic bottles used on campus. As of February 2019, the number of plastic bottles diverted as a result of these stations is more than 975,000.
Click here to view a map with the locations of all hydration stations around campus. There are 34 hydration stations in 17 buildings around campus, so grab a reusable water bottle and head to the nearest hydration station today!
Buildings
The University is dedicated to making the existing buildings as efficient as possible and achieves this by regularly monitoring their utility usage and identifying projects for upgrades. Many of the newest buildings on campus have been designed and built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards which specifically focus on reducing the impact of the building on the surrounding environment. Two of these examples are highlighted below:
Celentano Hall, the University’s largest residence hall, is LEED-gold certified and features a 228-panel solar array on its roof. To see how the solar panels are performing, visit: http://egauge16308.egaug.es/kiosk2.html.
Westside Hall, the University’s newest residence hall, has been recognized by the Connecticut chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council for using heating and control systems that use significantly less energy than most buildings of its size.
Transportation
Students have access to Zipcars, which are made available through the world’s largest car-sharing service that features hybrid and electric vehicles. Bike racks are also located around campus to encourage bike usage.
Dining
Sodexo, the University of New Haven’s dining services provider, offers tray-less dining, recyclable to-go containers, and reusable drink containers. Sodexo also offers locally sourced produce and hosts farmers markets on campus.
Campus Engagement
The Office of Sustainability is looking to engage with student organizations/clubs that may be involved with sustainability. This might be through events that help to clean up the community, assist with donations to charitable organizations, or interest in starting a new project on campus.
We are also hoping to engage with faculty and staff through educational workshops and in-class presentations. If you would like to learn more about sustainability through an in-class presentation or are interested in getting involved with campus sustainability initiatives, please contact Laura Miller.
Since the spring of 2018, the University has made progress in the following areas:
- Undertook a sustainability self-assessment, highlighting the need for additional focus in the areas for energy, waste, campus engagement, and academics
- Became a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in April 2018 and is moving forward with its first Sustainability Tracking and Reporting System (STARS) evaluation
- Completed energy audits of major energy-intensive buildings on main campus and at the Orange campus. So far this has resulted in five key energy projects that will result in future energy savings for the campus
- Created the framework for a strategic energy plan to prioritize future projects that will increase efficiency and connect to available utility incentives
- Conducted waste stream analysis of major campus buildings and developed training for staff covering ways to improve the University’s recycling rate
- Collected 1,700 pounds of student move out waste in May 2018 which was donated to Goodwill. Over the summer, the University donated more than 500 pieces of furniture from campus residence halls to the Columbus House and Goodwill.
- Facilities staff handed out more than 1,200 student gifts that included reusable bags, LED light bulbs, and reusable food containers in August 2018
- Laura Miller moderated a panel on stakeholder engagement at Wesleyan University in April 2018 as part of the Northeast Campus Sustainability Coalition Conference
- Installed a flat screen in Celentano Hall in August 2018 that displays sustainability-specific messaging and highlights the building’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design features
- The Office of Sustainability Instagram account was launched in March 2018. Follow us now @UNewHavenSustainability!