Plymouth State University Sustainability Report 2014-2016

“Making Green More Than The School Color.”

Sustainability Report2014 - 2016

Facebook.com/SustainablePSU

3Facebook.com/SustainablePSU Plymouth.edu/Sustainability

My name is Dr. Brian Eisenhauer, and I am honored to serve as the Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability, as well as being a member of the faculty. Environmental issues, particularly global warming, are some of the most important challenges facing society today, and at Plymouth State University our faculty, staff, and students are working together to address these challenges to create a more sustainable future.

This is our first biannual report on our sustainability achievements at Plymouth State University, and we are excited to continue to share our efforts and accomplishments with others. We have had a long, successful series of efforts to become a more sustainable community, and the 2014-2015 academic year was no exception, as we were excited to see the addition of a new sustainability academic program and the results of continued efforts to bring renewable energy to our campus. The material you find in this report will present just some of the many ways we are working hard to be make Plymouth State University more sustainable, and we look forward to working with you to “make green more than just our school color.

Steve has been working with the Office of Environmental Sustainability since 2009 on the EcoHouse project and on various other initiatives. Steve’s primary areas of academic specialty are ecological design and community planning. Much of his work is embodied in Permaculture, and he teaches courses on campus and abroad regularly. Steve’s work focuses on creating solutions that make our properties and communities more resilient in a changing world. From his own homestead to farm designs and urban revitalization efforts he strives to restore ecological function while supporting the needs of human populations. At Plymouth State University Steve has worked with students, faculty, and staff to create examples that we all can learn from. While this started at the EcoHouse it is now spreading to all sections of campus through an innovative partnership with the staff in PSU’s Physical Plant Department. Steve and the others involved in sustainability efforts at Plymouth State University look forward to continuing our efforts to make the campus and the community an example of resilience.

Sincerely,Dr. Brian EisenhauerDirector of the Office of Environmental Sustainability

Sincerely,Steve WhitmanOffice of Environmental Sustainability Programs Coordinator

Statements from PSU Sustainability

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Contents About PSU

Plymouth State University is nestled between the Lake Region and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and its beautiful setting and many outdoor amenities are essential to the University’s identity. Our efforts to be more a sustainable university are anchored in a commitment to educate students about a sustainable lifestyle, to study and care for the environment we enjoy and depend on, and to promote sustainability to the campus community and the world beyond. Sustainability efforts are evident throughout campus; in a program that integrates sustainability across the curriculum, in residential life, and in dining services. For over 25 years, Common Ground, a student environmental and social justice organization, has been focusing on environmental issues through events and service projects. The University’s commitment to the environment also encompasses a new courses and majors aimed at preparing graduates for careers in environmental science, stewardship, and policy; a long-standing campus-wide recycling program; and EcoHouse, a “living-learning laboratory” that shows students how even small-scale environmental design features can have important environmental implications.

In 2007, Plymouth State University (PSU) demonstrated its commitment to being a campus leader in sustainability by becoming a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). As part of that commitment the University developed a Climate Action Plan in January of 2010, pledging to reduce campus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50% by 2025 and to make its operations greenhouse gas neutral by 2050. In addition to changing our carbon footprint, Plymouth State University also pledged to ingrate sustainability throughout its operations, including the curriculum, to prepare our students to address critically important environmental and social challenges.

We continue to create new sustainability goals while striving to meet existing ones, and seek to engage as many members of our community as we can in our efforts. Pursuing sustainability through changes in campus operations, the creation of new programs and curricula, and improved efficiency in our energy procurement and use requires contributions from all of us, and the PSU community is committed to instigating meaningful change. Please join us!

1. About PSU2 - 3. Education4. Office of Environmental Sustainability5. Campus Engagement5. Beyond Campus Engagement6 - 7. Ecohouse8. Facilities9. Energy10. Carbon11. Water12. Food13. Purchasing14. Waste15. Credits

2 3Facebook.com/SustainablePSU Plymouth.edu/Sustainability

Sustainability is implemented throughout multiple courses and degree programs across Plymouth State University. Whether it’s a topic during

a day in a Business class, a chapter during a Environmental Science and Policy course, or the main focus of a semester long course in the

Sustainability Minor, discussing environmental issues and how we can address them is an important part of learning at PSU.

Scan for more information on the Sustainability Minor.

Education

24 Sustainability specific

courses.

12 : 1 Student to Professor

ratio.

PSU offers a Sustainability MinorThe Sustainability Minor at PSU is an integrative

program, sometimes defined as the union of equitable economic growth, social well-being, and thriving natural systems. The program at PSU is interdisciplinary and provides students with many ways to be engaged learners, including experiences that use our campus as a “living-learning laboratory” to learn about energy issues and other dimensions of sustainability. In addition, PSU offers many off campus experiences to emerse yourself into diverse situations, such as Steve Whitmans’ Permaculture Design Course, which went to Maya Mountain Research Farm in Belize, Spring of 2015.

Courses include...• Intro to Permaculture

• The Art of Sustainability

• Sustainability is Residences

• Sustainable Structures

Field Study Trip, Acadia, M.E.

International Permaculture Design, Belize, C.A.

do it in the dark

Energy saving Competition

October 1st - December 1st

Tips to cut energy usekill the lights

pull out...electronics not in use

ditch the elevator

showerpool

kick it old school, go outside

roll up the shades, let in the light

OEoffice of environmental sustainability

Plymouth State University

Sparticipating halls:Smith, Grafton,Langdon woods, Blair,pemi, mary lyon

Full Moon CampoutBring your tents and sleeping bags and experience

A night “off the grid”

Tuesday october 7th starting at 7pm

mary lyon lawn

slack-lining, corn-hole, glow in the dark frisbee and music

camping equipment will be available on-siteon a first come, first serve basis, rentals are limited



Sdo it in the dark

Brought to you by the office of environmental sustainability, residential life and the

psu outdoor center

reduce

reuse

recycle

a national recycling competitionthe more you recycle = the better we do!

be seen by PSU sustainability staff to win prizes Presented to you by physical plant, resedential life and the office of environmental sustainability

office of environmental sustainability

plymouth state university



SLeave your mark...a pledge to recycle!


The Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES) coordinates the efforts of many talented and passionate students, staff, and faculty who work on

diverse projects to make Plymouth State University more sustainable. The primary objective of OES is to improve the Plymouth State University community’s relationship with the environment, including developing a

concrete plan to achieve our Climate Action Plan goals: A 50% reduction in campus baseline emissions by 2025, and establishing a “carbon neutral”

campus (no net emissions) by 2050.

To meet Plymouth State University’s sustainability goals, we must work together as a community. Sustainability initiatives at PSU are designed

and implemented by many clubs, organizations, departments, and other groups on campus and in our community.

Office of Environmental Sustainability Campus Engagement

Beyond Campus Engagement

12 Student employees of OES

Including...• Permaculture Coordinators• Media Specialists• Outreach Program

Coordiantors• Special Project Personel

Sustainability at PSU goes beyond the campus. We are lucky to have many project partners in the community, allowing us to pursue a sustainable lifestyle, environment or occupation. The

logos of some of the organizations we work with that are committed to sustainability are featured here.

Student organizations acting sustainability at PSU...

• Ending Genocide Around the World

• ResLife

• Physical Plant

• Sodexo

• All Academic departments

Other OES Programs...• Weigh the Waste

• Earth Week

• Green Office Program

• Trash to Treasure

• Film Showings

• & Many More!

Some Outreach and Education efforts by Student workers...


The mission of the Plymouth State University EcoHouse is to demonstrate environmentally sustainable technology in a residential

setting, to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities to PSU students and the surrounding region, to collect and disseminate

information about sustainability, and to help others live in more sustainable ways. Since its inception in 2008, EcoHouse has been an on-

campus residence for students available through the Office of Residential Life, and residents pledge to live in environmentally appropriate ways

and contribute to activities at EcoHouse.

Ecohouse

Some Examples of Projects Completed at Ecohouse:• Foundation renovated with insulating concrete forms

• Cellulose insulation in attic and walls

• Floorplan redesign to increase quality of living space

• Solar hot water system and on-demand electric efficient water heater

• 4 Wireless Programmable Thermostats

• Rainwater catchment system

• Raised garden beds and rain gardens

• Permaculture designed gardens

• Storage shed from locally sourced timber with green roof and PV panel

27Ecohouse

Renovations to date.

9 Students housed each semester.

Gardens

Informational Sign

Storage Shed

Ampitheatre

Scan for Ecohouse Video.


FACT: 96 kWh PV solar array plans are final for near future!

All PSU facilities are held to high expectations of efficiency. While renovating existing structures, PSU focuses on preserving historical

details and improving energy efficiency. New construction and renovations must meet LEED Silver Certification standards.

Pursuing energy efficiency has a long history at Plymouth State University. We are proud of our continued efforts to improve our

conservation behaviors and energy efficiency while also finding ways to switch to more renewable energy sources. These efforts are an essential

part of our efforts to achieve our campus sustainability goals.

Facilities Energy

PSUs’ efficiency facilities and projects...• Mary Lyons Hall, 50% more energy efficient and much more comfortable

• Langdon Woods, 1 of the nation’s top 10 LEED gold certified projects by Interior and Sources magazine

• Rounds Hall, Recieved a slate roof and more efficient envelope strategies

• Campus, All external lights are LED and “Dark Sky” compliant, minimizing light pollution

• Campus, All appliances are Energy Star Certified

PSU’s Energy Efficiency Projects...• Replacing & upgrading steam tunnels, producing heat and hot water on campus

• Installing Geothermal power generation in Hanaway Ice Rink

• Central heating plant converted to Compressed Natural Gas, reducing Co2 and other emissions

• Installing Biomass heating in AllWell Field House

• Taking steps to implement Biomass as central heating source for campus

7of 8Residence Halls have electricity use lower than regional average.

100%Of facilities have energy efficient renovations.

Kilograms of CO2 Emitted per Dollar Spent on Energy We are proud that we have continued to reduce our

emissions while adding needed facilities on campus. This chart shows the amount of

emissions produced for each dollar PSU spends on energy,

and the reductions demonstrate our Physical Plant staff’s

effectiveness at increasing efficiency and reducing

emissions.


Carbon WaterPSU was a charter signatory of the American College and University

Presidents’ Climate Commitment, pledging to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2025, and 100% by 2050. In the last 10 years our campus operations reduced greenhouse gas emissions

by 8.7%, from 22,435.5 metric tons of CO2, the standard measure of greenhouse gas impacts to 19,586.8 metric tons of CO2. We continue to

seek innovative methods to achieve our goals.

Water is a a precious resource, and we are fortunate to be in a region with plentiful clean water. As global citizens we have taken many steps to reduce our water use and consumption to lessen our environmental impacts. Many water projects, including the installation of low-flow shower heads, are efforts that have been designed and suggested by

students.

Steps taken to achieve these goals...• Conversion from oil to CNG as primary heat source

• Facilities energy efficiency projects

• Development of a Sustainability Action Plan with specific steps we need to take to achieve our goals identified

• Development and delivery of conservation outreach and education programs

• Long term planning to change campus fuel sources

Steps needed to reach these goals...• Conversion from CNG to locally sourced Biomass

as primary heat source• Advanced lighting control upgrades

• HVAC control upgrades

• Compressed natural gas vehicles

• Continue facility energy efficiency projects

Best Water Management Practices...• All showerheads are 1.5 GPM

• All toilets are 1.5 GPF

• 5 waterless urinals

• 13 waterbottle filling stations

• Raingardens implemented at Ecohouse, AllWell Center & Lamson Library

• Stormwater runoff filtration BMP incorporated in Ice Arena parking lot

Did you know? In 2009, PSU was recognized as a “regional initiator” for removing food trays from the dining hall. This practice led to drastic drops in wastewater consumption and led by example of how other universities could do the same.

PSU Carbon Reduction Trajectory

Water Usage at PSU has decreased 20%

since 2005!


Food PurchasingSome of the most fundamental and important connections we have

with the environment are through the food we eat. We are continually striving to improve the sustainability of the food we serve on campus by increasing our use of local products and educating our community

about the choices we make.

What we buy as a campus has important implications for our environmental impacts, and we have adopted purchasing policies that support our sustainability goals. We favor providers who demonstrate

a commitment to sustainability in their work for the University, and we continue to refine our procedures to encourage more sustainable

practices.

Did you know? Prospect Dining Hall supplies something locally sourced every meal!

100%Eggs are Cage Free

&Seafood is Sustainable.

65Foods and Services are

purchased for Sodexo from within NH.

100%Organic Fertil izers since

2010.

ALLAppliances are Energy Star

Rated.

90%Virtual Servers, reducing

electric consumption needed to cool servers.

4Toyota Prius Hybrids for

faculty fleet.

80%Cleaning products are

“Green” and used campus wide.

80%Of paper purchased is 100%

recycled.

Examples of local goods...• Stoneyfield Yogurts - NH

• Green Mt Coffee & Monte Alto - VT/NH

• D Acres produce (seasonal) - NH

• McClures Syrup - NH

• Owens Farm produce (seasonal) - NH

• Black River Produce & Seafood - VT


WastePlymouth State University has improved its waste management

significantly over the last five years, and the campus has seen annual increases in the amount of waste recycled consistently over that time.

15%Reduction of total waste in

5 years.

PSU programs for better waste management...• Recyclemania, national competition for waste reduction and recycling

• Weigh the Waste, event showcasing indivdual food waste by weighing what each student wastes

• Multi-annual, community led trash clean-ups around Plymouth rivers, beaches and trails

• All landscaping waste is composted for campus use

A sincere, thank you, to all who helped make this report happen!

Brandon Lehman - Design, construction and execution of Sustainability report

Dr. Brian Eisenhauer - Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Co-director of EcoHouse, Report design

Steve Whitman - Co-director of EcoHouse, Office of Environmental Sustainability Programs Coordinator and Professor

Melissa Leszek – Office of Environmental Sustainability Fellows Program Coordinator

Justin Hardesty - Photos

Hannah Smith - Photos

Alan Spadafora - Photo

35% of PSU Waste is

Recycled!

“Making Green More Then The School Color.”

Facebook.com/SustainablePSU

Plymouth State University Sustainability Report 2014-2016

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