Sustainability and Physical Plant title>

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.