NSU Horizons Fall 2010

Greener Around Campus 37 horizons Anthony Iovino’s job is to clean up NSU’s campus. That’s why Iovino, assistant director of Physical Plant stands in the Florida heat, surveying NSU’s massive recycling compactor. “NSU has always recycled, always strived to be green,” said Iovino, stooping to pick up a bit of scrap on his way back to his office. “But now, we have new tools.” These new tools—the compactor built last year and new holding contain- ers for recyclables—have played a major role in NSU saving approximately $260,000 in trash pick-up bills. NSU also receives a competitive rebate for what it recycles, with the first quarter of 2010 pulling in $4,570. NSU has also joined RecycleMa- nia—a national competition among more than 600 colleges and universities to see which one can recycle the most. According to RecycleMania’s spring 2010 results, NSU ranked fifth in Florida by recycling more than 30 percent of its waste, beating the University of Miami and Florida State University. “We’re looking to boost those numbers in the [Recycle- Mania] competition,” said Iovino. “The RecycleMania competition shows that NSU is doing its share [for the environment]. Students are able to say, ‘I belong to a school that takes [recycling] seriously.’ It makes NSU prestigious and that makes students proud.” “Recycling is part of the NSU fabric,” said John Santulli, vice president of facilities management. “We want everyone on each of our campuses to make recycling a part of their regular routine.” NSU also has a complex energy management system that includes room sensors, high-efficiency lighting, and energy-efficient air conditioners. Two years ago, NSU received a $599,000 incentive for its thermal energy storage system. Multiple chillers from several campus buildings were replaced with a single, high-efficiency central chiller plant. It produces and stores ice at night when power is less expen- sive, and uses it to cool buildings efficiently during the day when rates are higher. Iovino’s goal is for NSU to have zero waste. This means making it easier to recycle by placing more bins across the campus, educating the NSU community about recycling, and integrating recycling into campus events. NSU’s Go Green Initiative uses advertising, email, and green-themed giveaways—such as aluminum water bottles and notebooks made of recycled paper—for campus events. The Go Green Initiative is entirely funded by NSU’s recycling rebates. To date, the initiative has $12,000 ready for future recycling projects. Iovino has several projects in the works. A compost- ing unit will be installed this fall in the cafeteria at the Don Taft University Center. Solar compactors— trashcans that use solar power to compact garbage throughout the day—are being considered. These compactors send an email when they are full. Buildings and dorms on campus are equipped with recycle bins to accept glass bottles and jars, alum- inum and tin cans, mixed papers, newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard, printer cartridges, batteries, and plastic bottles and cups with the number one or number two recycle symbols, he said. Residence halls are also equipped with recycle bins. For more information about RecycleMania and the Go Green Initiative, visit www.nova.edu/gogreen. n NSU Goes By Michael Bergbauer tips for a greener office Use your own coffee mug and utensils Foam cups and plastic utensils are not recyclable and take an extremely long time to biodegrade. Brew coffee at work in your own personalized mug and eat with utensils from home. Start a carpool Go green before you even arrive at the office. Make the most of your paper Reuse obsolete documents and old letterheads. Cut them into squares to make functional reminders and notes. Turn off electronics Switch off computers, monitors, printers, lights, etc., when not in use. Recycle more Put paper, bottles, and other waste in a proper recycle receptacle. To request a recycle bin for anywhere on campus, contact Physical Plant at (954) 262-8800 or physicalplant@nova.edu .