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Page 1: Sustainability Action Plan Progress Report · 2020-04-15 · Sustainability Action Plan (SAP), developed in 2016, is a five-year plan that reflects Wesleyan’s commitment to a sustainable

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Sustainability Action Plan Progress Report November 2018

Page 2: Sustainability Action Plan Progress Report · 2020-04-15 · Sustainability Action Plan (SAP), developed in 2016, is a five-year plan that reflects Wesleyan’s commitment to a sustainable

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Table of Contents

What is the Sustainability Action Plan (SAP?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Our Vision for 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2- Year Progress Overview . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5-Year Progress Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Accomplishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Health & Well-Being . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Academics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Purchasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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Wesleyan’s Sustainability Action Plan (SAP), developed in 2016, is a five-year plan that reflects Wesleyan’s commitment to a sustainable future. It is meant to guide our actions by establishing goals, objectives, strategies, timelines, metrics, and responsible parties in topic areas. These topic areas include planning, engagement, health and well-being, academic operations, curriculum, buildings, dining, energy, grounds, purchasing, transportation, waste, and water. This report tracks progress on SAP strategies identified for the first implementation period, from June 2016 to July 2018. It outlines our vision for 2021, summarizes overall progress, and details accomplishments in each category. It is meant to hold Wesleyan accountable to itself and to its community members, and to acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments that contribute to a more sustainable campus. Wesleyan seeks to be an institution on the forefront of sustainable change, one that promotes environmental, social, and financial sustainability in everything we do. While this report identifies specific strategies that have been completed, we recognize that sustainability is an ongoing process, not an end goal.

What is the Sustainability Action Plan (SAP)?

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Our Vision for 2021

Sustainability is

integrated into the curriculum

and departments

are environmentally responsible

All food waste is diverted,

food waste is reduced, and sustainable foods are purchased

Environmental and social

sustainability is promoted

through institutional decision-making

Reduced environmental

impact of

buildings and increased transparency of policies and

procedures

Increased health awareness and healthier lifestyles at Wesleyan

Sustainability is a core value of campus culture and the

living and learning community

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Increased renewable energy and energy

reduction initiatives,

Grounds are maintained sustainably and increased

transparency of grounds policies and procedures

as well as campus engagement in energy

conservation

Purchases reflect our support of environmentally and socially responsible vendors

25% reduction in transportation emissions

Reduced waste, increased reuse,

and increased recycling

Reduced water waste and increased access to

drinking water

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Two-Year Progress (2016-2018)

This chart shows the progress in each category of the SAP strategies that have been identified for the first 2-year implementation period. At the end of this period, each strategy was given a numerical status from 0 to 5; 5 indicating that the strategy has been completed, 0 indicating that it has not begun or will not be pursued. Progress has been measured by calculating the percentage of points received in each category. Many of our goals are not tangible targets, but rather ongoing measures that cannot be “completed.” Ongoing goals that have been satisfactorily achieved in this 2-year period have been given a 5.

Planning

Engagement

Health and Well-Being

Curriculum

Academics

BuildingsDining

Energy

Grounds

Purchasing

Transportation

Waste

Water

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Five-Year Progress (2016-2021)

This chart shows the progress in each category of the SAP strategies that have been identified for the full 2016-2021 implementation period. The bottom (blue) bars in each column represent already completed strategies, the middle (purple) bars represent strategies in progress, and the top (green) bars in each column represent strategies that have not yet been started.

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Popular Spin bikeshare program piloted in Spring 2018

North College 3rd floor was the first to complete

Green Office Certification and earned a silver

certificate

In summer 2018, a dish-swapping program replaced

Bon Appétit’s dishes with dishes donated to Waste Not in all

program houses

New recycling and trash signage

developed and installed in every campus building

Highlights

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SAGES developed a

mission statement and gained 15 new members since

2016

Waste Not collected

approximately 22,000 lbs. of donations and

raised $5,000 for nonprofits

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Planning

• Sustainability is a high priority for facilities planning, primarily through the Building Sustainability Policy and Facilities' stated priorities.

• A Wesleyan Sustainability Office mission

statement has been developed and made public.

• The Resource Center was created as a result of

student activism, and serves to foster connections between sustainability-related and other student groups.

• Sustainability Advisory Group for

Environmental Stewardship (SAGES) developed a mission statement, grew by 15 members since 2016, and its increased activity and purview.

• The Green Fund expanded its focus and outreach over the last two years and launched a new website. Over 150 applications have been submitted since FY 2016.

• Wesleyan submitted greenhouse gas reports

to the Climate Leadership Campus Carbon Commitment in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

• Food Rescue and composting efforts helped

divert 111 tons of food waste through donations and composting from 2016-2018.

• Wesleyan continues to complete AASHE’s

STARS evaluations and to publicize our ratings.

Engagement

• A pilot for the Green Office Certification Program, intended to reward offices for sustainable practices, was completed in administrative offices, including North College 3rd floor.

• New recycling and trash signage was

developed and installed in every campus building.

• From 2016-2018, University Communications

published more than 32 articles with a sustainability theme.

• A sustainability priority statement was included as a core competency for all staff job postings.

• A Sustainability and Diversity Working Group

was created with the Resource Center and collaborations between the two offices continue.

• Eco Facilitators and Resident Advisors run

connected orientation programming to increase communication and collaboration between the Sustainability Office and Residential Life.

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Health and Well-Being

• New outdoor furniture installed in multiple locations including Clark, Butterfields, Fauver, Bennett, Malcolm X House, Downey House, Romance Languages, and College Row.

• Flu shots, screenings, and fitness classes were

offered to Wesleyan employees with over 800 participants.

• Wellness series were conducted 2-3 times per semester on topics like meditation, healthy eating, and yoga since 2016.

• Walking and biking trails in the Wesleyan area

were compiled in a Google map and publicized on the Athletics website.

Academics

• The Sustainability Office ran two Sustainability Across the Curriculum workshops for faculty members promoting sustainability integration into existing courses. Courses that were augmented to include an element of sustainability will be taught in the 2018-2019 school year.

• The Green Office Certification program was adapted from administrative offices to academic departments and a pilot is underway in two departments.

Buildings

• A Building Sustainability Policy was developed to reduce Wesleyan’s carbon footprint, to yield cost savings through reduced operating costs, and to provide healthy work environments for students, employees, and visitors. The policy details standards for energy use, water use, and materials and furnishing for all projects, all new construction, and major and minor renovations.

• The creation of a “green cheat sheet” for project managers to evaluate sustainability of construction projects is underway.

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Dining

• The Sustainability Office held two Clean Plate Challenges in Usdan in February and April of 2018 aimed at reducing food waste, and conducted food waste audits.

• Compost interns ran waste and composting

intervention events at Pi and Summerfields in April of 2018. The events were intended to educate community members on correct waste disposal methods.

• Bon Appétit staff conduct monthly In Balance

programs to educate students about healthy food portions, and to reduce food waste and composting costs.

• The Taste Don’t Waste program that allows

diners to taste their food before serving themselves have been put in place in all appropriate locations.

• SAGES members created a one-page explanatory

document for Bon Appétit catering orders in order to educate customers on portion sizes and effective ordering strategies.

• A survey on Bon Appétit dishware theft was conducted amongst the student body to reduce cost of repurchasing.

• Cupanion, a program that rewards use of reusable mugs, was launched in August 2017, with 2,491 uses since. Cupanion mugs are given out to all first-years with help from the Green Fund.

• Beginning in mid-spring 2018, Usdan

Marketplace is Eco to Go only for takeout. Bon Appétit saved approximately $70-$80K in FY2018 due to this switch.

• Two new compost, trash, and recycling

stations were installed in Usdan to better collect compostable items.

• The Resource Center with support from the

Green Fund purchased compostable dishware and mobile composting stations for events hosted by student groups.

• Veg Out Tuesdays occur every other Tuesday

since Fall 2016 to reduce student meat consumption, and are an established and highly anticipated event

Water

• In collaboration with the Sustainability Office, Oliver Goodman ’18 and Lianne Yun ’18 created a water fountain and bottle filling station map so that locations without suitable water access can be identified.

• An audit on water conservation measures was conducted to increase knowledge of water efficiency opportunities.

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Energy

• An energy conservation policy was included in the Green Office Certification to gain employee buy-in to keep temperatures in range. Stickers in all major buildings support the policy and general energy conservation.

• Default wallpaper was developed and installed in all classroom computers to remind users to turn off projectors while not in use.

• Stickers were put up reminding students to close windows in winter.

• A PV System, or a photovoltaic solar power

system, was installed at Long Lane farm to reduce reliance on natural gas and to build the infrastructure for carbon neutrality.

• A solar rover, portable solar panels to provide energy at outdoor events, was designed and built, and use will begin in Spring 2019.

Purchasing

• Annual purchasing sustainability presentations are conducted at Administrative Assistants’ meetings.

• Sustainable cleaning product purchases were

incorporated into the new custodial contract.

• Unimarket Purchasing Portal that will centralize large purchases is scheduled to launch in January 2019. The portal will highlight vendors from minority suppliers through Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council.

Waste

• Six paper towel dispensers in Freeman Athletic Center were replaced with high-efficiency hand dryers to reduce carbon footprint, long-term costs, and paper waste.

• Admissions’ wait-list notifications were

transitioned to online rather than paper mail format.

• Green Office Certification program includes

shared office supply locations to reduce purchase of infrequently used office supplies.

• Freecycle listserv is in frequent use, with over 50% of trades successful at a modest calculation. The listserv gained net 52 members in FY2018 and continues to grow.

• Waste Not tag sale continues to collect and sell

items, and to grow in popularity. To increase donations during move out, “sweepers” were posted in each dorm to collect leftover items.

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Transportation

• An employee survey was conducted on current

and potential use of carpooling, public transportation, and parking in order to identify target areas for emission reduction.

• Two covered bicycle parking units were installed outside Hall-Atwater, and seven new bike racks were installed outdoors. Butterfield C will soon get indoor bike storage.

• A Comprehensive Parking Study was conducted to increase awareness of parking challenges and opportunities. The study’s recommendations have all been implemented, resulting in substantially fewer parking complaints and more efficient snow removal.

• In order to promote videoconferencing as an alternative to air travel, GoToMeeting software training has been developed to be presented at departmental meetings. An EMS upgrade included enabling room searches based on videoconferencing capabilities.

• A carbon footprint analysis for different modes

of travel was created and publicized to increase awareness of the environmental impact of each mode of travel.

• A student travel survey was conducted on The

Ride, public transportation, shuttles, and parking.

• An anti-idling factsheet was created to

discourage vehicle idling.

Grounds

• Mowing heights are raised in non-athletic fields in spring and summer to decrease mowing frequency and fuel expenditure.

• Outdoor social and seating spaces were

installed at Fisk, Butterfields, Andrus, Alpha Delt, College Row, 116 Mt. Vernon, and Admissions.

• 15-20 new trees will be planted annually. Over

250 trees have been planted since 2014!

• Piped water access was installed at Long Lane Farm in 2017 to make water more available for farmers in winter, and to reduce overall water usage.

• Facilities’ tree removal blog was expanded to include information about plantings and other grounds information. Signage was erected to educate about certain irrigation practices.

• Grounds began designing a plan to pilot 100% organic lawn care practices in recreationally used fields.

• Hard-to-mow areas were expanded in hard to

mow areas such as Shanklin Hill, Cross St., Pine St., and Church St.

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Acknowledgments Thank you to all those who contributed to the development of this first SAP implementation report, in particular to those who have implemented the strategies and continually strive to make Wesleyan more sustainable. This report would not be possible without the implementation liaisons, who regularly check in on the progress of each strategy with those responsible for its execution. The Sustainability Action Group for Environmental Stewardship (SAGES) has been instrumental in revising and editing this report. Recognition and thanks must also go to everyone who helped create the Sustainability Action Plan through workshops, brainstorming, participation in working groups, revisions, and other contributions. The dedication of these staff, students, and faculty to making Wesleyan more sustainable is inspiring and powerful.

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wesleyan.edu/sustainability

[email protected]

@sustainablewes

@sustainablewes