Campus Sustainability Improvements

Recycling

• Beverage containers
• Metals
• Cardboard
• Pallets
• Packaging materials
• Furniture recycling and reuse
• Shredded paper
• VTC white paper pickup
• Construction materials
• White goods 

Landscaping

• Grass mulching
• Tree waste chipped and used for landscape mulch
• Low-water use vegetation – use of native plants
• Drip irrigation
• Weather-based irrigation controls – based on evaporation rates and temp
• Low-flow irrigation spray heads
• Low-maintenance landscapes
• Irrigation water separate from potable water – switching to well water
• High nitrate well water reduces need for fertilizer
• Storm water retention basins. 

Hazardous Materials

• Recycling chemicals and paints
• Recycling universal waste – light tubes, batteries, incandescent bulbs, light ballasts
• Recycling electronic waste – computers, printers, monitors, radios, televisions, copiers
• Recycling automotive oils, greases, and antifreeze
• Utilizing non-hazardous parts cleaners
• Recycling vehicle batteries and tires
• Recycling used vehicles either through auction or scrap metal 

Paper Reduction

• Electronic communications – Email – myHancock Website
• Two-sided copying
• Recycled content copy paper
• Book Rentals
• Book buy-back program
• Electronic textbooks
• Books available to the library on loan 

Facilities Efforts

• Automated energy management systems for HVAC and lighting
• Timers and photo-sensors on parking lot and perimeter building lighting
• lighting dual-function occupancy sensors
• Updating HVAC system using less energy
• Updating lighting systems using less energy – moving to LED technology
• Replacing old boilers with high-efficiency units
• Utilizing multi-stage tankless water heaters
• Carpets from recycled materials – use of carpet squares for less waste
• Low VOC paints and stains
• Electric hand dryers
• Green chemicals for cleaning
• Waterless urinals
• Automatic controls on water faucets and toilets
• Recycling/trash bins
• Installation of water bottle filling stations
• Skylights for natural lighting
• Parking lots – grinding asphalt – reusing as base materials
• Solar roof panels for electrical savings ( new childcare center) 

Transportation

• Updating from older vehicles to more efficient vehicles
• Switchover to electric vehicles
• Additional bicycle racks
• Additional walkways
• Bus stops – adding more in the future 

Recycled Products Purchased

• Entry mats and fatigue mats
• Plastic piping for storm sewers
• Copy paper
• Recycled content paper towels and toilet paper
• Shop towels