The University of Texas at El Paso - UTEP Magazine

The University of Texas at El Paso is
taking environmentalism to new heights.
This spring, the University will plant vegetation on the top of the Biology
Building to create El Paso’s first “green roof” on a commercial building.
About half of the 15,313-square-foot roof will be covered in plants such
as regal mist and white evening primrose to reduce the building’s heating
and cooling demands.
“We plan to plant materials that will hold up to the winds,” says Greg
McNicol, associate vice president for business affairs and facilities
services.
The roof project is the University’s most scientifically ambitious ecoventure,
but even everyday efforts that lack cutting-edge appeal propel the
University to its greener goals.
Consider recycling, which has become second nature around campus. The
University recycles on a monthly basis 45,000 pounds of paper products,
including newspapers, papers, books, magazines and cardboard, as well as
20,000 pounds of steel and 1,250 pounds of copper.
UTEP plans to increase its already aggressive recycling program. Facilities
Services is working with a Phoenix-based construction waste disposal company
that will open a site in El Paso’s far East Side. The company will haul off waste
from the many ongoing and planned University projects for at least the next 30
months.
“Recycling is never profitable, but it’s the right thing to do and we don’t want to
see that stuff go in the landfill,” says John Salles, warehouse operations supervisor,
who directs campus recycling.
General recycling efforts are becoming more cost effective and less reliant
on manpower, which allows those workers to be assigned to other duties. Also,
technology allows more waste products to be reused in constructive ways.
For example, the carpet at the new University Bookstore will be made of material
from recycled plastic and glass.
New construction and renovations around campus follow Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) principles that promote sustainability. LEED was
developed in 1998 by the United States Green Building Council, of which UTEP is
a member. Ed Soltero, UTEP’s campus architect and director of the Department of
Planning and Construction, was recently accredited as a LEED architect.
LEED principles provide standards for efficient use of air, water, energy and materials,
including the use of public transportation and the type of fuel used for vehicles.
From the bottom of recycling bins to the top of buildings, University officials continue to
keep their eyes and ears open to new ways to make the campus more eco-friendly.
UTEP Magazine 39