As part of its organization and general operations, U-M is proud to have many activities that practice sustainability on a daily basis. Below is a sample of some of U-M’s ongoing efforts:

Planet Blue: U of M Environmental & Energy Initiative

Planet Blue is a campus-wide educational and outreach campaign that will work with facility managers, plant operations personnel, and unit/building representatives to improve the energy efficiency in U-M buildings.

Climate Savers Computing Initiative @ U-M

The U-M has joined the CSCI initiative, a nonprofit group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses, and conservation organizations dedicated to improving power efficiency and reducing energy consumption of computers. U-M plans to go beyond expectations and make a long-term impact on the preservation of natural resources by growing greener computing practices beyond its campuses.

Grounds and Waste Management Services

Recycling & Waste Reduction
The Recycling & Waste Reduction Program is an award-winning program that recycles over 2000 tons of materials, including paper, containers, electronics, and scrap wood a year.

Food Waste Compost Program
The Food Waste Program collects prep waste from 5 campus dining halls, collecting over 60 tons of compostable material a year.

Student Housing

The University Housing Sustainability efforts comprise an outreach component for residents, staff, and operations. The goal is to assure an awareness of environmental issues that influence the University community and to conduct Housing operations in an environmentally efficient manner. Resident outreach includes:

• the “LeeDer” (Living Example of Eco-Friendly Decision-making) campaign to encourage environmental friendly behavior; and
• the RecycleMania competitive program that competes with other colleges using recycling collection rates as a sustainability measure.

Staff outreach focuses on the use of environmentally friendly cleaning materials and energy efficient appliance purchases. Operations outreach includes the Residential Life Initiative (RLI) focused on construction and demolition waste recycling and environmentally friendly design.

Utilities and Plant Engineering

Green Lights Initiative
The U-M joined the Energy Star Buildings Program, sponsored by the US EPA in 1997. Through this program, the University of Michigan surveys all general fund buildings, installing energy efficient lighting whenever and wherever possible.

Construction Services

As part of its general environmental stewardship activities, the U-M seeks and implements measures that provide ecological benefits while also balancing economic constraints. Specific efforts include the enhancement of energy conservation, use of “green” building materials, and storm water runoff management throughout the entire building process, from design, construction, and use.

Return to this site often for updates and additions to this listing.


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