Sustainability

Relying solely on fossil fuel-based electricity is so 2005! Learn about our innovative production and use of clean energy.

Not only is SU home to the Eastern Shore’s first U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified new construction project; it also installed the region’s first publicly available electric vehicle charging stations. Discover how we’re changing our facilities from the ground up.

We’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint. That’s why it’s important to us to provide students with transportation alternatives including free mass transit and shared bicycle and vehicle programs.

We often receive compliments on our beautiful campus, but looks are only part of the importance of trees, flowers and other plants at SU. The University is an American Public Gardens Association-recognized arboretum and Monarch Watch butterfly waystation, and has earned accolades from the national Arbor Day Foundation and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Our sustainable horticulture initiatives help put the “green” in our greenery!

This is where it all started! We began our sustainability program in a relatively small way, recycling cans from University Dining Services’ operations. More recent initiatives have included everything from local food sourcing (including a rooftop herb garden just yards from our main kitchen) and even “trayless” service that helps reduce waste and water use. Learn more about our efforts and how you can help.

Zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? It’s not a dream. We’re working to make this proposal a reality.

When it comes to recycling, we don’t just set out a few bins around campus and call it a day – we’ve turned it into an all-out competition! Your waste paper, plastic, glass, cardboard and more can help turn our students into recycling rock stars!

Taking a sip has never been this innovative! We’ve installed reusable water bottle filling stations in most campus buildings, offsetting the disposal of nearly two million plastic bottles – and counting! Try one for yourself.

Environmental studies majors have learned skills that have earned them fellowships and internships at organizations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Park Service.

Biology major – one of our largest majors – can earn a dual degree in environmental science from UMES while receiving hands-on training at sites as varied as local forests, the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and even Smithsonian Institution research institutes.

Outside the classroom – way outside, in some cases – students studying outdoor education leadership can earn certifications in canoeing and kayaking, wilderness first aid and SCUBA diving to help prepare them for exciting careers in the wild.

At SU, sustainable learning doesn’t stop after class. Incoming students with environmental interests may apply to be part of our Green Living Learning Community (LLC), where you will live and take certain classes with like-minded students and have the opportunity for extracurricular activities that may include anything from visiting a local organic farm to an overnight river kayaking trip.

Of course, you don’t have to be part of the LLC or even major in an environmentally related field to learn about sustainability at SU. Visit our Sustainability Resources Guide anytime for links to research materials and even tips for green living!

• Environmental Issues Program continues to thrive.
• SU philosophy students collect vegetable garbage from their homes, residence halls and Commons dining hall for a compost pile on campus.
• Under the direction of Dr. James Hatley, philosophy students have planted on campus a wildlife garden to attract insects and small animals, an organic garden and a self-watering rain garden.
• Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Adams, management faculty, and John Hickman, executive director of the Small Business Development Center at SU, students conducted a semester-long carbon study of the campus. As the second university system in the United States to require its campuses to conduct such studies (California was the first), the University System of Maryland asked planners to present their findings during a system-wide meeting. SU was the only university to conduct a study using its own students exclusively.
• Students in Dr. George Whitehead's Environmental Psychology class have received hands-on instruction, creating and installing bluebird boxes at Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury.
• Students in Dr. Shawn McEntee's Sociology classes planted a permaculture organic vegetable garden. A permaculture garden demonstrates a sustainable approach to land use. Dr. McEntee hopes to have the vegetables served in the dining hall.
• Students have conducted environmental research abroad in Honduras with Dr. Laura Marasco of the Education Specialties Department and in India with Dr. Michael Lewis of the History Department.
• Since 2005, SU has partnered with the Newton Marasco Foundation to present the Green Earth Book Awards, the first prize in the United States lauding authors of environmentally friendly children's literature.
• The Maryland Department of the Environment hired Dr. Michael Scott and other researchers from the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative at SU to locate and identify some 420,000 septic systems statewide. MDE uses the data to identify failing septic systems in areas that critically impact the Chesapeake Bay.
• Researchers in Dr. Michael Scott's Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative also assist with tracking commuter mileage data, which is an important component in reporting emissions for the campus carbon footprint.
• Students in Drs. Danny Ervin and Tylor Claggett's classes in the Economics and Finance Department studied alternative energy sources and received a hands-on lesson at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) renewable energy and environmental protection facilities near Atlantic City, NJ.
• In 2007, SU hosted the first ShoreEnergy Renewable Energy Conference, encouraging elected officials and business leaders to take a closer look at bio-fuels, wind power, geothermal energy, solar energy and nuclear power.

• SU achieved LEED Silver certification for this facility.
• Some floor areas have been covered with renewable and recyclable bamboo in lieu of traditional resilient tile. Most of the flooring materials used throughout the building are 100 percent recyclable.
• Approximately 40 percent of the building's structural frame is made from recycled materials.
• The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is ultra-efficient and uses no CFCs.
• The building was constructed close to two bus lines - SU and Shore Transit - encouraging the use of public transportation.
• Bicycle racks for nearly 80 bicycles were integrated into the design to encourage bike riding instead of automobile use.
• The open space surrounding the building is equal to the building footprint. In doing this, SU returned a significant portion of formerly paved area to grass.
• The paints and coatings for the building met or exceeded Green Seal requirements, and all carpets met or exceeded the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program.
• The building was constructed in a pre-developed area, limiting sprawl.
• Five percent of all new parking spaces outside the building are reserved for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles (hybrids), while another 5 percent are reserved for carpooling vehicles.
• Electric charging stations for hybrid cars are provided.
• High-efficiency plumbing fixtures installed in the building reduce water use by approximately 20 percent over traditional fixtures.
• A dedicated recycling area is provided at the building for paper, glass, plastics and metals.
• At least 50 percent of waste from construction and the demolition of pre-existing surfaces was recycled or salvaged.
• The interior building materials contain at least 10 percent recycled materials.
• At least 10 percent of all materials used to construct the building were purchased locally, requiring less fuel and fewer emissions for shipping.
• Energy-efficient glass and glazing were used throughout the building.
• Task lights were installed in more than 90 percent of all work stations in the building so larger area ceiling lights may remain off during the day.
• The building contains an active environmental education program incorporating signage and outreach with a focus on sustainable living.
• Housekeeping is performed in accordance with Green Housekeeping Practices.

• All washers and dryers in SU's traditional residence halls are Energy Star rated units. The washers use 12.2 gallons per wash - a savings of three gallons from previous machines. In addition, washers feature an auto-injection system for high efficiency detergent to eliminate the need for large, plastic detergent and fabric softener bottles. The manufacturer of the machines - Mac-Gray Intelligent Laundry Systems - has included SU as one of the first three institutions in its new carbon neutral footprint program.
• Most cleaning supplies are GS-37 certified, meaning they are biodegradable.
• Cleaning equipment, such as mops and pads, is laundered to reduce the frequency of replacement.
• Housekeeping hours are 4 p.m.-12:30 a.m. to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and light the buildings for cleaning.
• All residence halls and most academic buildings use coreless toilet tissue that has 70 percent post-consumer recycled waste.
• Paper towels have been replaced in residence hall restrooms with hand dryers.

• SU won the 2009 PLANT Green Award, the highest sustainability award given by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and Forestry Council.
• SU's recycling program began in 1990 through the Horticulture Department.
• New benches are made from recycled material.
• Since 2003, SU has recycled more than 111 tons of computers and audio-visual equipment.
• In the greenhouse and interior spaces, Ivory soap and water are used instead of typical chemicals to remove insects.
• Students weed planting beds to reduce the use of herbicides.
• Mulching blades are used on SU lawnmowers to reduce waste and add nutrients to the soil.
• Bicycle racks are incorporated into campus design to promote an alternative to driving.
• Greenhouse staff wash and reuse pots and bedding trays instead of discarding.
• Campus trash containers are paired with recycling receptacles so users have a choice.
• Maryland requires the University recycle 20 percent of its trash; SU always far exceeds this standard.

• All major renovation projects on campus have been upgraded with an energy recovery system to pre-condition outside air before it enters the building, resulting in a major reduction of energy necessary for heating and cooling.
• SU mandates that contractors recycle carpeting removed from campus buildings.
• Maryland requires 75 percent of new vehicle purchases be flex-fueled or hybrid; All of SU's new-car purchases since 2007 have been either flex-fueled or hybrid.
• All new utility vehicle purchases for the University are battery operated. SU partners with Pepco Energy Services, Inc. and the Maryland Department of General Services in a campuswide initiative that saves water equal to the annual consumption of 473 family homes, electricity sufficient to power 1,600 homes and reduce emissions equal to removing 1,571 cars from the road or planting 2,145 acres of trees, all while saving the University an estimated $6 million over the next 15 years. The partnership provided a cost savings of $331,378 in its initial year.
• Highlights include:
  • Replacement of more efficient mechanical equipment in 14 campus buildings;
  • Installation of tens of thousands more energy efficient bulbs and lighting fixtures and installation of energy "misers" on vending machines;
  • Upgrading some 1,700 plumbing fixtures with low-flow devices to conserve 11 million gallons of water annually; and
  • Using renewable energy sources to supply at least 10 percent of SU's power

• This building is designed and constructed in accordance with LEED Gold (target) certification requirements.
• Through the use of carbon dioxide sensors to better control the flow of outside air mixing with pre-heated and pre-cooled air inside the building, as well as the commissioning of the HVAC system to ensure it is working at peak efficiency, the building uses 24 percent less heating and cooling energy than a comparable classroom building constructed using Best Practices.
• A 15-ton geothermal heat pump is utilized for the Perdue Museum portion of the building. In addition to conditioning the museum, it serves as a learning tool for SU environmental students.
• The building was constructed in a pre-developed area, limiting sprawl.
• The building was constructed close to two bus lines - SU and Shore Transit - encouraging the use of public transportation.
• The building includes bicycle rack space for at least 70 bikes, encouraging students, faculty and staff to cycle instead of drive.
• Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the paved area where the Perdue Hall is constructed has been returned to grass and softscape materials.
• At least 75 percent of all waste material created during the project was recycled.
• The building contains at least 20 percent recycled materials.
• At least 20 percent of all materials used to construct the building were purchased locally, requiring less fuel and fewer emissions for shipping.
• A daylight harvesting control system shuts off lights in areas of the building when a sensor detects enough natural sunlight to adequately illuminate the interior. In addition, motion sensors to control lighting are used in a significant portion of the building, reducing energy.
• Energy-efficient glass and glazing are used throughout the building.
• The building contains an active environmental education program, incorporating signage and outreach with a focus on sustainable living.
• SU reserved some parking spaces close to the building for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles (hybrids).
• SU installed four electric vehicle-charging stations in preparation for future electric vehicle use on campus.
• Housekeeping is performed in accordance with Green Housekeeping Practices.

• Nanticoke Hall features solar panels using an "evacuated tube" water heating system and a 20,000-gallon cistern to collect rainwater for landscape irrigation.
• The renovations at Pocomoke, Manokin Wicomico and Nanticoke halls were designed and constructed in accordance with LEED gold certification requirements.
• The renovations were performed to extend the life cycle of existing building stock, conserve resources, retain cultural resources, reduce waste and reduce environmental impacts of new buildings as they relate to materials manufacturing and transport.
• A LEED-accredited professional supported and encouraged the design integration required for a green building project, and streamlined the application and certification process.
• Pollution from construction activities was reduced by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation.
• Development of inappropriate sites was avoided and the environmental impact was reduced by enhancing buildings already on a site.
• Development to urban areas was channeled with existing infrastructure to protect greenfields and preserve habitat and natural resources.
• To reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use, the project encourages alternative transportation via public transportation and providing bicycle storage.
• Existing natural areas were conserved and damaged areas were restored to provide habitat and promote biodiversity.
• The roofs are designed to reduce heat islands (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped areas), minimizing the impact on microclimate and human and wildlife habitat.
• Light pollution is reduced by minimizing light trespass from the building and site, reducing sky-glow to increase night sky access, improving nighttime visibility through glare reduction, and reducing development impact on nocturnal environments.
• Water efficiency is maximized within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.
• The building's energy-related systems are verified to be installed, be calibrated and perform according to the owner's project requirements, basis of design and construction documents.
• Geothermal heating and cooling was incorporated into the design for Manokin, Wicomico and Nanticoke using a closed loop design and geothermal heat pumps.
• Geothermal heat provides domestic hot water for Manokin and Wicomico; Nanticoke uses a roof-mounted solar hot water heater.
• The minimum level of energy efficiency performance for the building and systems are established.
• Attic mounted energy recovery units provide all fresh make-up air to building.
• Fundamental refrigerant management is utilized to reduce ozone depletion.
• Increasing levels of energy performance above the baseline in the prerequisite standard are achieved to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.
• The commissioning process began early during the design process and additional activities were executed after systems' performance verification was completed.
• Recyclables are collected to facilitate the reduction of waste generated by building occupants that is hauled to and disposed of in landfills.
• Construction waste was managed to divert construction, demolition and land-clearing debris from disposal in landfills and incinerators. Recyclable recovered resources were redirected back to the manufacturing process. Reusable materials were redirected to appropriate sites.
• The renovations used materials with 20 percent recycled content (post-consumer and half pre-consumer) to increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled content materials, thereby reducing the impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials.
• The renovations used regional materials to increase demand for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region, thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation.
• Certified wood was used to encourage environmentally responsible forest management.
• Minimum indoor air quality (IAQ) performance was established to enhance indoor air quality in buildings, thus contributing to the comfort and well being of the occupants.
• Outdoor air delivery monitoring provides capacity for ventilation system monitoring to help sustain occupant comfort and well-being.
• Additional outdoor air ventilation improves indoor air quality for improved occupant comfort, wellbeing and productivity.
• Both during and after construction, an IAQ management plan reduced indoor air quality problems resulting from the construction/renovation process in order to help sustain the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.
• Contractors used low-emitting materials (e.g., adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, carpet systems) to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that were odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well being of installers and occupants.
• A high level of lighting system control by individual occupants or by specific groups in multi-occupant spaces (i.e. classrooms or conference areas) promotes the productivity, comfort and well-being of building occupants.
• A comfortable thermal environment supports the productivity and well-being of building occupants.
• The assessment of building thermal comfort over time is performed.
• Green housekeeping and integrated pest management are performed. An interactive Energy Dashboard display and monitoring system with LCD screen is located in main entrance area to promote education and outreach.

• SU achieved LEED Silver certification for this facility.
• The building was constructed in a pre-developed area, limiting sprawl, and is located close to two bus lines, SU and Shore Transit, encouraging the use of public transportation.
• Parking capacity on site does not exceed that required by governing codes.
• To encourage building occupants to cycle instead of drive, in addition to the showers in each apartment, the building has a shower available to all building staff. There is a secured storage room for 94 bicycles.
• Parking spaces close to the building are reserved for low-emitting and hybrid vehicles.
• The rate and quantity of storm water is controlled to minimize impact on the main sewer system and limit the disruption and pollution of natural water flows by managing storm water runoff. The roof color was selected to reduce the heat island effect.
• Significant hardscaped areas were returned to grass and softscape surfaces.
• Water use is reduced 30 percent below industry standards, thus lessening the burden on the municipal water supply and wastewater systems.
• Energy-reducing motion and sound sensors to control lighting are used in each apartment bathroom.
• Energy-efficient glass is used throughout the building.
• Enhanced Building Systems Commissioning is used to verify and ensure that fundamental building elements and systems are designed, installed and calibrated as intended.
• A minimum level of energy efficiency has been established for all building systems.
• Enhanced CFC reduction in HVAC and refrigerant equipment are used to reduce ozone depletion.
• Energy performance is increased by 14 percent above industry standards, to reduce environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use. In dealing with construction waste, 75 percent of the construction, demolition and land-clearing debris was diverted from landfill disposal. Recyclable recovered resources were returned to the manufacturing process and reusable materials were directed to appropriate sites.
• The building was made from at least 10 percent post-consumer and one-half post-industrial recycled materials; increasing the demand for building products that incorporate recycled content, thus reducing the impacts resulting from extraction and processing of new virgin materials.
• At least 10 percent of the building materials were manufactured regionally, thereby supporting the regional economy and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation.
• Efforts have been made to prevent exposure of building occupants and systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS).
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring systems are utilized to help sustain long-term occupant health and safety.
• Both during and after the building's construction, efforts are made to prevent indoor air quality problems resulting from the construction/renovation process in order to help sustain the comfort and well being of construction workers and building occupants.
• Contractors used low-emitting materials (e.g., wood, carpet, paint and sealants) to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, potentially irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well being of installers and occupants.
• The building contains an active environmental education program, incorporating signage and outreach with a focus on sustainable living.
• Housekeeping is performed in accordance with Green Housekeeping Practices.

• A golf cart-sized vehicle was purchased to be used instead of a full-sized van for smaller-volume deliveries and pick-ups of food and supplies around campus, saving fuel.
• All coolers in the Gull's Nest dining operation are changing from water-cooled to air-cooled condensers. This will save water continuously used to cool current refrigerated units.
• Lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient fixtures in the Commons and retail operations of Dining Services and the SU Bookstore.
• Cardboard boxes are separated from other trash and disposed of in a specified container to be sent for recycling.
• Delivery pallets are returned to purveyors for reuse instead of being sent to a landfill.
• Motion detectors in offices throughout the Commons building turn off lights when they detect that a space is not being occupied.
• Timer and temperature-change sensors were installed on air conditioning and heating units to adjust temperature by demand and usage.
• Frozen/refrigerated units are turned off or consolidated during summer and downtimes to reduce energy use and lower inventory.
• Financial and correspondence information is saved electronically to eliminate unnecessary usage of paper.
• Napkins are placed on tables in dining halls instead of in food service areas so students may use only what they need instead of taking handfuls from a centrally located counter that they may or may not use.
• Traditional toasters have replaced conveyor-style bagel toasters in many dining areas. The conveyor-style toasters must remain on constantly, while the traditional toasters may be turned on only when needed.
• SU donates its used cooking oil to a local entity, Greenlight Biofuels, for conversion into a renewable resource, biodiesel fuel.
• A new high efficiency dish washer system was recently installed in the Commons kitchen which is resulting in a significant reduction of electricity and water consumption.

• SU achieved LEED Honorable Mention certification for this facility.
• Light Emitting Diode (LED) type lights are installed throughout the garage along with a daylight harvesting control system, which shuts off lights in areas of the garage when a sensor detects enough natural sunlight to adequately illuminate the interior. Combined, these measures reduce lighting energy by 60 percent over more traditional lighting systems.
• By using pervious paving materials and replacing some formerly paved sections with grass, SU has increased the site's perviousness by 15 percent, decreasing storm water runoff.
• The garage is constructed in a pre-developed area, limiting sprawl.
• The garage's roof is made from white concrete, allowing light to reflect instead of being absorbed, reducing heat island effect.
• 100 percent of the waste concrete created during construction was recycled.
• SU provides six parking spaces with recharge stations for electric vehicles and created the infrastructure to easily add more spaces as the demand grows.
• 100 percent of all concrete (over 1,085 tons) and metal (over 62 tons) from pre-existing buildings demolished to make way for the parking garage has been recycled.
• At least 60 percent of all materials used to construct the garage have been purchased locally, requiring less fuel and fewer emissions for shipping.
• The garage includes a new campus telecommunications hub, eliminating the requirement for construction of a similar hub in a less developed area.
• SU is investigating reserving up to 5 percent of the garage's capacity - roughly 40 parking spaces - for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles (hybrids) and/or carpool vehicles.
• Infrastructure was placed to install up to six charging stations for electric vehicles.

• In 2011, SU installed a bottle filling station inside Henson Science Hall. The station was suggested by the SGA to help reduce the number of disposable water bottles on campus. The Joyce Agency donated the unit.
• The SU Bookstore offers a free reusable shopping bag or "urban shopper" paper bags with each purchase. Customers bringing either of these types of bags back for use during subsequent trips earn a 10-cent discount on future purchases.
• As of fall 2011, the SU Bookstore also offers a printer ink refilling station.
• SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach was honored with the Newton Marasco Foundation's inaugural award for Leading Environmental Stewardship, which recognizes individuals and organizations that are taking practical yet innovative sustainable action in their local communities.
• President Dudley-Eshbach was also honored with the Mountaire Environmental Star Award for "outstanding contribution to the advancement, promotion, awareness and improvement of our environment."
• SU contracted with Tandus, a Georgia-based floor covering company, to re-carpet Blackwell Library. Carpet removed from Blackwell was recycled into other Tandus products, and the library's new carpet was made partially from recycled carpet from other facilities. This type of recycling is now standard in all of SU's carpeting Requests For Proposals.
• Paper purchased for office use is made of 30 percent recycled materials and then recycled itself.
• Since fall 2011, the caps and gowns worn by graduating students have been made from recycled plastic bottles and are supplied by GreenWeaver. Each year, GreenWeaver donates a portion of the cost of these gowns to the University to fund sustainability projects.