Monday, November 9, 2009

UT "going green" with a sustainable campus

The University of Tampa has in many ways over the past years found ways to uphold a sustainable campus. Going “green” is a new trend and a positive one at that, many campuses cities and household have been finding ways to keep our natural resources and environment from being overused or damaged.

UT is a founding member and sustaining partner member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Gulf Coast Chapter.

The ways in which this campus has been upholding its sustainability agreement is by using environmentally safe products replacing lighting fixtures and utilizing electricity and energy use in all classrooms.

Specifically, cleaning products, disinfectants, floor waxes etc. are all now replaced with environmentally safe products. Also the university has analyzed ways to save energy using energy efficient lighting, also incorporating sensors to turn off unused lights, and computer monitors. The lighting fixtures in Martinez and Cass gym were completely reinstalled using better efficiency lights.

Also installing occupancy-based thermostats that regulate temperature of air units depending on if the area/ classroom is occupied or not. High efficiency water heaters have replaced many of the older models as well.

Recycling has also been encouraged around campus with the placement of many dumpsters and trash cans provided for recycling only. There are two single stream recycling bins on campus, one located between ResCom and the Thomas Parking Garage and the other located by the left field corner of the baseball field.

The paper used in copier machines is part-recycled paper and much other paper used around campus as well. There are 30 locations around campus that have printer paper recycling bins, many located in computer labs to eliminate the millions of sheets of paper that used to get thrown into trash cans.

Even more ways UT has gone green is by implementing duplex printing in computer labs (printing on both sides of the paper), also by installing low flow toilets, showerheads and faucets.

There are countless other ways UT has “gone green” sustaining the earth and using the most environmentally safe options.

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