Celebrating Earth Day in the City
Lauren McTigue
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Focus
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Aside from the recycling bins scattered in almost every building across campus, DePaul has made major strides towards ensuring a legacy that is positive for the environment, though additional work remains.
Facility Operations oversees much of the work that has gone into energy efficiency on campus. Housing and food services along with public safety all feed into this sector of University management, a collective effort according to vice president of Facility Operations, Bob Janis. In the past seven years, he said he has seen these changes through more efficient lighting in school offices and campus buildings.
"We have literally gone through every building on both campuses...classrooms, libraries, peoples' offices," Janis said.
The energy-saving fluorescent tubes now used in DePaul facilities use about 50 percent less energy than the previous light fixtures. The average CFL (compact fluorescant light) bulb uses 75 percent less energy than incandescents and last up to ten times longer.
Plans for the 2009-2010 school year include more solar light bulbs, including in such communal areas like the quad on Lincoln Park 's campus according to Janis, and there are also talks of more bike corrals and a possible greenhouse built on top of the DePaul Center in the Loop.
Already, DePaul has purchased hybrid cars for Public Safety and the University intends to increase the number; students have been able to rent cars through DePaul's partnership with iGo, a rental car company that uses more fuel-efficient cars. "There's really no reason for any student to ever own a car here," Janis said. The partnership is in place for "convenience" and is kind to the environment.
And, of course, there are those recycling bins. "We have put more and more containers in place to push recycling," Janis said. However, "it's harder in the residence halls… We ask that students take the extra five steps to go to these containers." Still, sandwiched between the half eaten pizza and take out boxes, one will find that lone Greenware cup Food Services switched to last year left to spend some time in a landfill.
These programs are persuading students to shift to greener practices in everyday life and some are have been inspiring enough to generate other opportunities. Green businesses that promote socially responsible choices in building, production and food are sprouting up.
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