Green Rovers 12 - PowerPoint Presentation

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Green Rovers 12

Developed Topics

Theme Days

Green Rovers (Patrollers)

Green Supply Chain

Local Composting Facility

Sustainable Living Community

Reduce CommutingSlide2

Green Rovers 12

Idea

THEME DAYSDescriptionDesignated days twice a month that call attention to sustainable movements on campus. The themes can be generated by the Sustainability Center or can be sponsored by campus groups or local businesses. Examples: Blackout Day, Carry Your Trash Day, NV (Natural Ventilation) DayStakeholdersEvery living thingImpactEnvironmental Increase in awareness and initiative to take actionCultural Community feel, interaction among students and localsEconomic Low impact, but if successful, would save money (electricity, waste, etc.)ImplementationHow Student involvementWho Student-run organization or task forceCost LowPayback N/ASlide3

Green Rovers 12

Idea

GREEN ROVERSDescriptionWork study program where groups of 2-3 students patrol the campus to exemplify sustainable behavior, turn off lights, turn down heat, close/open windows, and report overlooked maintenance issues. They could reward students with coupons from local merchants and provide a weekly status report about the Institute’s sustainability.StakeholdersEvery living thingImpactEnvironmental Less waste, increase in recycling, energy conservationCultural Provide good examples of sustainable habitsEconomic Low impact, but if successful, would save money (electricity, waste, etc.)ImplementationHow Student involvement, Work StudyWho Student-run organization or task forceCost LowPayback MediumSlide4
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Green Rovers 12

Idea

GREEN SUPPLY CHAINDescriptionAdopt a policy to consider the carbon footprint and environmental impact of each purchasing decision. StakeholdersEverything that breathesImpactEnvironmental Less waste, energy conservation, choice of sustainable materials, the greening of support businessesCultural Provide good examples of sustainable habitsEconomic Low financial investment, moderate time investment, large environmental paybackImplementationHow RPI procurement department with student research and assistanceWho All responsible for purchasing descisionsCost LowPayback

N/ASlide6
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Green Rovers 12

Idea

LOCAL COMPOSTING FACILITY

DescriptionThe facility would collect all organic waste (landscaping, food preparation, regular garbage) from RPI and local communities to compost it at a local facility. Decomposed waste will be processed with an anerobic digester to create:Solids to use as fertilizer by RPI or local farmersMethane to run a motor/generator system with resulting electricity sold back to utility via net meteringLeachate that is biologically remediated before being released to the sewer.StakeholdersEntire campusSodexhoCity of TroyNational GridLocal FarmsImpactEnvironmental Eliminates organic waste currently going to landfillsProduces electricity for the grid made by renewable resourceEliminates methane gas emissions from anaerobic decompositionCulturalChanges campus mindset regarding organic waste disposal.EconomicRevenue from electricity and fertilizer

Eliminate cost of

landfilling

.

Implementation

How

Facility would be located on purchased land within a 5-mile radius of campus.

Who

Facility construction would be overseen by Campus Planning & Facilities Design, and its operation would be the responsibility of

Envriomental

and Site Services or a private company.

Cost

Medium

Payback

Calculated revenue from electrical generation is $500-$1000 day. Estimated savings in not having to landfill is $50,000-$100,000Slide8
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Green Rovers 12

Idea

SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMMUNITY

DescriptionA neighborhood of small off-grid single family homes designed by interdisciplinary design studios (perhaps in conjunction with a Solar Decathlon studio) , built by students (perhaps a summer session activity for credit), built in walkable distance to campus, owned by staff and faculty, or by the institute for grad student or married student housing, utilizing and showcasing current RPI research efforts.StakeholdersEverything that breathes. ImpactEnvironmental Reduces energy use per capita in our community. Reduce staff-fac commute.CulturalDemonstrates the feasibility of low impact sustainable living especially in an urban setting. Improves Campus Edges and gateways. Establishes an interesting, attractive and engaging approach to campus.EconomicDevelop new housing in our community. Prototype homes could be produced and sold to owners in other neighborhoods and communities. ImplementationHow research examples , develop a curriculum, establish courses, identify buyers/clients, locate landWho School of Architecture as lead, other schools interdisciplinary, CPFD, some outside contractors neededCost some research funding, faculty cost, building materials, Payback client/owner pays for the house so some cost is recovered immediately. RPI has less expense for mowing of open. Slide10
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Green Rovers 12

Idea

REDUCE COMMUTING IMPACTS

DescriptionReduce the length of commute by staff and facultyReduce the need to commute by staff and facultyReduce the environmental and financial cost of commuting by staff and faculty StakeholdersEverything that breathesImpactEnvironmental Conserves natural resourcesCulturalLess time spent commuting means more time spent on career and family and recreation.EconomicLess money spent on commute means more money for investment in meaningful endeavor.Less money spent on road repairs.ImplementationHow incentives to purchase local homes, incentives to rent locally, promote local business development and local schools to make neighborhoods more livable, incentives to carpoolWho Institute Administration HR, CPFD, Transportation

Cost

housing incentives - $250,000 per year Promotional Materials and training – low cost,

Payback

economic impacts described above, less parking lots to maintain on campus,

building

of local

Intellectual Community surrounding campus.Slide12

Conceptual Ideas

Resource Usage Feedback

Visual displays that indicate energy use within the building

Sustainability Technology ShowcasingFosters interdepartmental collaborationWindmill / Windmill FarmOne large windmill on top of the hill – energy producing and visual reminderSeries of smaller windmill installations in overly windy areas (i.e., DCC wind tunnel)Sustainable CommunityDevelop on-campus living community for student or faculty that encourages local and sustainable livingReduce commuting footprint. Incentives for faculty/staff to live close to campusHudson River Water TurbinesGenerating electric power from the river flowPromote Human PowerEncourage walking and bicycling as alternative means of transportationSustainability Competitions

Participation in events such as Solar Decathlon and the

EcoHall

Challenge