2015-2016 Sustainability Report
sustainNU is pleased to present Northwestern’s inaugural Year in Review Sustainability Report. This report highlights the results of an engaged campus community dedicated to advancing initiatives and behaviors necessary to sustain the University. The report covers milestones and accomplishments from the 2015 to 2016 academic year. Areas of focus include the built environment, resource conservation, transportation, communications and engagement, and curriculum and research. Northwestern looks forward to continuing to make progress toward reducing the University’s environmental footprint and leading the way toward a more sustainable future.
Built Environment
Using the sun
Renovation of Kresge Centennial Hall included installation of an 81kW solar array
Equal to saving 70,000 pounds of coal annually
Reducing energy
- 2% reduction from last year
- 15% reduction from baseline year (2010)
Since 2009, Northwestern has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 34% through campus initiatives and Renewable Energy Certificates
Saving water
- 850,000 gallon reduction from last year
Equal to filling 1.3 Olympic swimming pools
New LEED certified buildings
- Ryan Center for Musical Arts
- Sailing Center
Northwestern is now home to 10 LEED certified buildings, totaling 500,000 ft2
Committed to sustainability
Northwestern University is a proud ENERGY STAR® partner, and partner of the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Alliance and Better Buildings Challenge, committed to reducing our energy consumption by 20% or more by 2020
Resource Conservation
Switching to mixed recycling
Transitioning away from dual-stream recycling, Northwestern has seen an increase of 91 additional tons collected as compared to the previous year
Reducing food waste
University composting initiatives have collected 260 tons of food waste
Avoiding the landfill
Increased recycling and composting efforts diverted 39% of Northwestern’s waste from going to the landfill
Better food at the source
Committed to the Real Food Challenge to increase "real food" by 20%
(community-based, fair, ecologically sound and humane food)
Facilitating campus events
sustainNU provided guidance and composting for 6 zero-waste events
Move out collections
During move out, more than 400 pounds of food and 20,000 pounds of clothing and household goods were donated
Transportation
Campus bike share
A partnership between Northwestern and the City of Evanston brought 3 Divvy bike share stations to campus
3,197 trips from campus stations since inception in July 2016
Bike Commuter Challenge
Northwestern cyclists logged nearly 1,200 bike trips covering more than 7,000 miles – more than any of the other 268 teams
Supporting electric vehicles
Installed 4 electric charging stations
Purchased 10 new Global Electric Motorcars for Facilities Management fleet
Communication & Engagement
Celebrating Earth Month
Reached 1,400 community members throughout the month, and hosted 4 events during Earth Week
Green Cup Competition
Campus-wide electricity use decreased by 3 kWh/person and water use decreased by 1 cubic ft/person during this four week competition
Sustainable offices
Recognized 10 departments with Green Office Certifications, engaging 578 staff members
Recognizing service
9 Sustainability Excellence Awards given in conjunction with the Northwestern Service Excellence program
Reaching out to the community
Established baseline of 3,300 sustainability newsletter subscribers and committed to a 6% annual increase
Curriculum & Research
Teaching our students
Over 100 sustainability and energy related courses offered at Northwestern and 9 courses offered by the Institute for Sustainability and Energy
Enabling student innovation
Northwestern Sustainability Fund awarded a $30,000 grant to House by Northwestern
(House by Northwestern is a 2017 DOE Solar Decathlon entry)