Sustainability and the Physical Plant

For nearly three decades, the UVM Physical Plant Department has been leading the campus in sustainability initiatives. Recycling & waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation and upgrading the campus buildings have long been a part of our Department's core mission. Our staff continue to play a vital role in advancing UVM's current sustainability and environmental stewardship programs. Here are a few of the initiatives and programs we've implemented over the years: 

Recycling and Waste Reduction

• Diverting almost 40% of our waste stream through our award winning Recycling Program.
• Piloting and managing the first Eco-Reps program in 2004, which has since been made permanent in the UVM Office of Sustainability.

Grounds Management 

• Use of "Magic Salt" to reduce salt on roadways
• Supported student installation of bio-retention rain garden on campus with student chapter of AWRA.

Energy Management, Efficiency and Conservation Initiatives

• The use of occupancy sensors and vending misers on vending machines has reduced energy costs.
• Installation of solar panels on the Central Heating Plant roof.
• Ongoing energy efficiency projects.
• Stabilization of energy consumption starting in 1990 with an energy conservation plan
• Construction of Central Chilled Water plant
• Installation of demonstration Wind Turbine on campus.
• Technical support for the Clean Energy Fund
• Reducing peak loads through building systems monitoring
• Lighting retrofit projects
• Providing CFL bulbs for Eco-Reps program light bulb swaps.
• Boiler replacements

Automotive & Fleet Maintenance

• Use of Electric GEM cars
• Reduced number of vehicles in fleet and reduced travel time through Zone Maintenance structure.
• Heating the Automotive services garage with waste oil

Maintaining our LEED and Historic Buildings

• Repairing campus building envelopes and increasing insulation
• Modernization projects of mechanical and electrical systems.
• Working with UVM Facilities Design & Construction and with UVM "Green Building" program.
• Window Replacements
• Preserving and maintaining UVM's historic buildings and structures.

Last modified August 05 2010 10:10 AM