Sustainability

You...Partnering for Change

CU is a campus highly committed to sustainability, and was even voted the "Best Sustainable Campus" by Sierra Magazine in 2009. A variety of programs are in place to support this initiative in Housing & Dining Services and we continue to expand options each year. Below you can find out What We Do as well as finding out What You Can Do to assist in sustainability efforts. 

Waste

What we do:

• Collect both pre- and post-consumer waste, along with used fryer oil, cardboard, glass, and plastic
• In 2010-11, we composted 143 tons of food waste, collected 4533 gallons of used cooking oil (to make biodiesel), and recycled over 150 tons of cardboard, glass, and plastic
• Many of CU's special events, such as Global Jam and Snack Bites, feature the "zero waste" program

What you can do:

• Bring your own travel mug or water bottle for your beverages in the dining centers and grab-n-gos
• When visiting CU on the Run grab-n-go, use the available reusable to-go containers
• In the dining centers, use only the plates, cups, and utensils you need—that cuts down on water usage in the dish room
• Make sure to always recycle your cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic

Food

What we do:

Offer an ever-expanding selection of organic, local, and natural offerings in our dining centers.

What you can do:

• Take advantage of our Fair Trade, organic, and vegetarian/vegan options in our dining centers and retail operations
• When you're in the dining centers, please take only what you can eat—that helps with our "zero waste" efforts

Water

What we do:

• Aerators are installed on all kitchen faucets
• Dishwashing machines utilize grey water for pre-rinsing
• Installed closed-loop water systems to cool refrigerators and freezers, which saves thousands of gallons of water each year
• Residence hall sinks and showers equipped with aerators, which cut water usage in half

What you can do:

• Fill up your reusable water bottle at refill stations in the residence halls
• Wash only full loads of laundry
• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth
• Consider taking shorter showers
• Report water waste (leaky faucets, etc.) through fixit

Energy

What we do:

• Purchase EnergyStar-rated kitchen equipment whenever possible
• Utilize demand-controlled, variable speed kitchen exhaust fans
• Install LEDs, CFLs, and motion sensors where feasible

What you can do:

• Turn off lights when not in use
• Unplug unused appliances
• Turn your minifridge thermostat up to 38°F (level 3)
• Use CFLs versus incandescent lightbulbs (they use 75% less energy)
• Wash clothes in cold water
• Report energy waste through fixit