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Wednesday, March 11, 2009 UNM-VC goes green, recycling paper and turning out lightsAndy Sanchez and Bill Bowdich are hoping they change some habits on the UNM-Valencia Campus as they push and prod the school down the green road of sustainability. Sanchez, director of campus resources, recently sent out an e-mail reminding everyone on campus to turn off the lights when they leave an office or a bathroom as a part of the campus' efforts to reduce energy usage. All campus buildings will eventually be retrofitted with new, energy efficient lighting and motion sensors that will automatically turn lights off and on in offices and bathrooms. In the meantime, the campus recently finished the first phase of its two-phased plans for xeriscaping the entire campus with drought-tolerant trees, bushes and plants. Efficient drip irrigation is replacing the old watering systems as well, according to Sanchez. Bowdich, manager of facility operations, is converting all the cleaning supplies used by the campus to green, sustainable products and is training his staff on how to use these products. Referred to as "green cleaning," these products are composed of environmentally preferable or reduced-risk ingredients. There are no toxic chemicals or ozone-depleting compounds in the ingredients. They are safer to use and help enhance indoor air quality. Because they are highly concentrated, these products are also cost-effective. He also implemented a recycling program on the campus that will greatly reduce the tonnage of solid waste materials. Bins for all paper and corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminum cans are strategically placed in every building on the Valencia campus. Staff, students and faculty are able to take advantage of recycling, and every office on the campus has a container designated for paper recycling. "We get a ton of mail around here, and it's all recyclable," Bowdich said. Copy and printer paper is another big recyclable item. Bowdich initiated the recycling program through Tierra Bonita. Tierra Bonita began in 1984 as the Keep Valencia County Clean Committee. Concerned citizens organized the committee to combat the increasing solid waste problem in the county. Tierra Bonita was then formally established by ordinance to assist the county commission with refuse management. In 1989 Tierra Bonita became a Keep America Beautiful affiliate. Now the UNM-VC project represents a new phase for Tierra Bonita. "This is our first recycling program to be involved with in Valencia County," said Cyndi Sluder of Tierra Bonita. She hopes it becomes the model program in Valencia County and that "UNM-Valencia becomes a hub for all the other schools in the valley." The recycling program was launched less than three months ago. "Just in the short time that we've had the program," Bowdich said, "we've collected 5,840 pounds of cardboard and paper." Sustainability is also a major component of the campus' 2009-2013 Facilities Master Plan. The plan includes the following goals:
One of the more interesting goals in the plan is to incorporate sustainability concepts into the curriculum. Plans are now underway to develop courses that focus on sustainability practices, and the first green course, CAD 293: Introduction to Green Building, is being offered this spring semester. The goal of the class is to teach students how to improve energy and water efficiency, as well as increase comfort and reduce maintenance. Students taking the class are learning how to reduce energy consumption and lessen the environmental impacts of their homes and workplaces. Several goals will be accomplished during this academic year, and other goals are much longer term. Phase two of the xeriscaping project will take longer because of budget concerns, which is something Sanchez is very aware of. "All of these things take time and money," Sanchez said. "But we have looked at these projects and we see a definite return on our investment."
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