What is Samford doing?

Below are highlights from several offices across campus.

Campus Dining

Campus Dining has long purchased available produce locally. This supports local farmers and also cuts down on the fuel used for transporting produce over long distances. As of November 2007, they have also started recycling all cardboard material. Currently, they are meeting with potential suppliers of Green products for use in trash management, disposable food containers in the Food Court, straws and disposable utensils. They are looking at products that are both biodegradable and compostable.

Energy Management

The installation of new boiler and chiller systems has been a crucial step in increasing the energy efficiency of our campus. Old boiler systems are being decommissioned. In addition, the HVAC controls in each building are being retrofitted. This retrofitting project should be completed by the end of spring semester. Light bulb retrofitting is also underway and should be complete by fall semester 2008. Hand-dryers and motion-sensing lighting have also been installed in several locations across campus.

Landscaping Services

Landscape Services has integrated environmentally friendly practices throughout the last several years. This includes discontinuing use of atrozine and increasing mulching activities across campus.

Printing Services

Printing Services is testing the use of recycled paper in several of their functions. In 2007, they also went completely digital and cut out the use of a significant amount of chemicals used in their printing functions.

Purchasing

The Purchasing Office sponsors an annual office supply fair with Office Depot. They are currently putting together a fair to focus on the Green office supplies you can purchase. Check the Green Events portion of this site for updates. You can access the Green office supply catalog by clicking here. You can also find more information at the "What can you do?" section of this site.

Recycling

Behind the University Center, there are now containers to receive paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastic (types 1 and 2.) These containers are emptied weekly. We will be monitoring their usage and increasing the number of pick-ups by Waste Management as needed. We are also in the process of designing a process for pick up at each building. We will have more information on this effort in the weeks to come.

Residence Life

During fall move in day, hundreds of pounds of recyclable material were collected. Residence Life is developing a Green checklist for incoming students encouraging them to bring Energy Star rated appliances and compact fluorescent bulbs for their lamps.

They are also working on a special week long program in the spring that will take place in conjunction with move-out week. This program will be a Reduce-Reuse effort to have a community garage sale. Residence Life has already incorporated stewardship initiatives into move-out week. Last year, Residence Life donated over 100 mattresses to the Lovelady Center, benefiting women and children in need.

Sodexho Campus Services

Campus Services is phasing in the use of Green cleaning materials. These materials include disinfectants, floors cleaners and glass cleaners. These cleaners are already being used in the Law school, the University Center and the soon to be opened Hanna Center. They will continue to phase in additional building over the next year.

Water Conservation

Samford has installed water saving washers. These new washers use approximately 25% less water than standard washing machines. You can find the new washers in laundry rooms throughout campus.