How We Operate
Washington University pursues sustainability in all of its endeavors and operations. The University has undertaken an evaluation and planning process to ensure that the community is aware of its various impacts and is making decisions that systematically give sustainability the highest priority. Some examples:

Buildings & Grounds

  • Develop a sustainability master plan to guide all development in promoting human and environmental health while being aesthetically pleasing.
  • Define our LEED (the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating program of the Green Building Council) checklist for new construction, major renovations, and existing buildings.
  • Monitor and manage green building performance — review and revise facilities policies to align with LEED–EB (LEED for existing buildings).
  • Reduce energy usage and potable water consumption per square foot.
  • Improve grounds maintenance to eliminate non-certified pesticides, develop shading to control heat islands, employ native species, and control and use storm- and groundwater.

Dining Services

  • Purchase only fair trade coffee and a percentage of food from a designated distance by 2015.
  • Reduce solid waste, convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel, compost food organics, and eliminate “all you care to eat” programs.
  • Use reusable and recyclable dishware, cups, silverware, and packaging.
  • Reduce energy use with EnergyStar equipment, efficient lighting, and HVAC systems.

Energy & Emissions

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below 1990 levels by 2020. Improve energy source and fuel mix; sequester carbon by restoring and managing forests and tall grass prairies.
  • Reduce energy consumption by investing in conservation initiatives, enhancing facilities design standards, and pursuing LEED-EB certification on existing buildings.

Material Management

  • Define environmentally preferable purchasing, screen all purchasing through EPP guidelines.
  • Reduce packaging and ensure that all packaging is reusable or recyclable.
  • Improve campus recycling to divert a percentage of landfill waste by 2012 and an increased percentage by 2020.
  • Create a sustainability code of conduct for vendors.

Transportation

  • Reduce solo automobile commuting below 2006 levels by 2020. Promote bicycling and walking, increase use of mass transit, expand the WeCar car-sharing program.
  • Increase the fuel economy of the vehicle fleet by purchasing only the highest-rated vehicles and using electrics and hybrids. Improve fuel economy of shuttles. Implement and enforce a no-idling policy on campus.

The University will seek and define best practices in its own operations and aspires to be a model for others in responsible use of energy and other resources.

– Mark S. Wrighton, Chancellor