Spring/Summer 2011 - St. Jerome's University

SJUUPDATEBeing GreenIt IS easy being GreenThere is a lot of hype and education out there aboutreducing energy consumption. Implementing morecost-savings techniques and introducing energy-savingprograms and educational resources have becomemore important to SJU than ever. Facility ManagerJim Robson is working towards realizing a SustainabilityProgram at SJU to minimize our environmentalfootprint. The Sustainability Program focuses on threekey areas: reduction of energy consumption, wastereduction, and natural regeneration.SJU Facilities is developing an aggressive threeyearplan that will measure and ultimately reduce ourkilowatt consumption through promoting energyconservation. The plan will be designed with inputfrom our energy provider, Waterloo North Hydro, andwill be implemented at SJU with plenty of educationand awareness-raising about the role all students, staff andfaculty will play in reducing our carbon footprint.Despite the many recycling bins around campus, largeamounts of paper and metal are still making their way tolocal landfill sites. Facilities will complete a “waste audit”in August to find out how waste is being managed andwhether more can be done to encourage recycling andreduce the impact on landfills.To lessen our impact on the environment, a “no mow”or natural regeneration area will be set aside in July toreduce the amount of grass that needs to be cut oncampus. The naturalized area will support plant speciesthat represent those that would have been found on campusprior to human settlement.6Volume 30. Number 1 • Spring/Summer 2011