Green Practices Headlines

BETTER WITH THE LIGHTS OFF! Electricity Reduction Challenge February 6 - February 27

2012 Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) is the first nationwide electricity and water reduction competition on college and university campuses.

This is the second year that CCN aims to motivate thousands of students to reduce consumption and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The national challenge has a collective goal to reduce electricity consumption by one gigawatt-hour! CCN is building on a successful pilot, hosted in 2010.

Carnegie Mellon has signed up for their three-week competition from February 6 to February 27, 2012, to reduce energy use in campus residence halls.... and we need your help!

Nine buildings have been included in the contest: Boss House, Donner House, Hamerschlag House, Henderson House, McGill House, Mudge House, Scobell House, Stever House and Welch House. Each house will have its electricity use measured to see who can save the most. The winning house will receive a PIZZA PARTY!

For real time electricity data go to this web site.

Here are some tips for saving electricity:

Turn off electronic equipment and lights when not in use
Turn off your computer before going to bed
Use energy saving functions on your computer
Use smart power strips
Make an effort to purchase energy star products
Unplug items not being used (cell phone chargers, appliances, etc). Even though these items are not being used, they still draw electricity when plugged in
Install energy efficient lights and fans to re-circulate heated or cooled air
Run your washing machine when fully loaded, use cold water
Clean the lint filter after every load
Set the temperature of your fridge for only as cold as needed

RecycleMania 2012 February 6 - March 31

RecycleMania is a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in North America and Canada. During 8 weeks each spring, schools compete to reduce waste, increase recycling and raise awareness of conservation issues across campus.

Carnegie Mellon recycles 18.5% of the 'basics' (paper, cardboard, bottles & cans).

Our total recycling rate for 2010-2011 was 26%*, includes, (food composting, plant materials, e-waste, scrap metal, oil, paint, etc...). *based on weight

Check out what other schools are participating and see the weekly results

AASHE STARS Submitted August 2011

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System

AASHE STARS web site

Renewable Energy News

Carnegie Mellon Univeristy is under contract for the purchase 120 mWh of Renewable Electricty Credits (RECs) for the period Jan-Dec 2011, which is the equivalent to 100% of the university's electricity requirements.

EPA Green Power Leadership Award

CMU receives a Green Power Leadership award from from the EPA October 2010. View Awards Ceremony here

As of October 2011, CMU ranks #2 in the Top 20 College & University list (representing the largest purchasers among higher education institutions within the Green Power Partnership) and ranks #36 in the top 50, which includes Fortune 500 companies, local, state and federal governments, and of colleges & universities.

See the rankings here: EPA Green Power Partnership

PennFuture Award

CMU receives a Green Power: Buy It! award on Ocotber 5, 2010 from PennFuture.

ISCN - GULF Charter Signed

Carnegie Mellon University is a world leader in addressing environmental issues, including global warming, alternative and clean energy sources, sustainable building design, green chemistry and environmental education. Under the leadership of President Jared L. Cohon, Carnegie Mellon has made a commitment to supporting sustainability through education, research and practices, and has made transitioning to an environmentally stable society a strategic priority. Carnegie Mellon signed the ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter in August of 2010.

International Sustainable Campus Network

Global University Leaders Forum