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Campus Service Operations |
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Printing Services
Printing Services recycles, reclaims, and reuses production materials throughout its business. Two recent initiatives have made the department a greener operation. First, the installation of a direct-to-plate process eliminated film and all of the chemicals involved in the developing process. Second, the purchase of a digital press allows for on-demand printing in color or black and white, giving departments the option to have materials printed only as needed. The digital press has significantly impacted waste by reducing inventory, warehousing of materials, and obsolescence. The following processes are ongoing within Printing Services to maintain an environmentally responsible operation:
- Metal press plates are collected and sold for scrap
- Wood pallets are sent back to paper companies for reuse
- Paper and cardboard are collected and recycled throughout operations
- Toner, toner cartridges, and hazardous materials are collected and disposed of appropriately
- Soy based inks are used
- Along with U Stores, Printing Services buys approximately 54 truckloads of recycled white paper a year
- Printing Services provides recycled options to customers
- Chemicals are labeled and reviewed for safety on an annual basis
http://www.printing.umn.edu
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Dining Services
Through the Local Foods Working Group, the University’s Dining Service is working to connect with local food growers and producers to increase the use of their products on campus. The goal of the program is to connect rural Minnesota to the University, increasing vitality in outlying communities. With representatives from the University, the group is working closely with Aramark, the University’s food contractor, and Sysco, Aramark’s primary food distributor, to develop ways to capitalize on their trucking network to assist in distribution of local products. In addition to sustainable food initiatives, Dining Services recycles cardboard, aluminum, glass, paper, and even grease. The department also has reusable dishes and flatware to further reduce waste.
http://www.dining.umn.edu
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Housing and Residential Life
On-campus housing has increased by 38.4 percent since 1995. The shift of students from commuters to campus community residents not only enhances the campus community, but also has a positive affect on the environment. With more students living on campus, commuting vehicle mileage has been reduced by an estimated 25,000 miles per day saving approximately 1,000 gallons of gasoline daily and eliminating an estimated 110 tons of carbon monoxide and 2,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Resident students are strongly encouraged to recycle. Recycling containers are available in all residence halls for newspaper, office paper, aluminum cans, and bottles. Building and maintenance materials are selected for sustainability:
- Shower heads in all halls are equipped with flow restrictors
- Several toilets are retrofitted with water efficient devices
- Toilet paper is made of one-third recycled paper
- Cleaning chemicals are environmentally friendly
- Carpet can be recycled into other products
http://www.housing.umn.edu
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