Message from the Sustainability Programs Manager
Welcome to the UVa Sustainability Website!
At UVa Sustainability, we strive to promote and support all sustainability efforts at the University of Virginia:
- Through our highly successful UVa Recycles program YOU diverted 57% of our discards from landfills. Thanks!
- Our energy and water conservation efforts have become increasingly important due to their carbon impacts and costs. Please help!
- Working to manage stormwater on the Grounds will not only improve overall water quality, but provide beautiful and restful places to take a break during a hectic day.
Please remember – each one of us is our best sustainability advocate:
- Turn off unused lights and appliances, and unplug your laptops and computers
- Minimize your use of air conditioning or heating
- Recycle shamelessly
It is our air, water and planet that we are saving. As we start the 2009-10 academic year, we welcome everyone back and look forward to your help as we move to make UVa a world leader in sustainability.
Please contact us by calling our Sustainability Hotline at 924-9488 or by emailing us at Sustainability@Virginia.edu.
— Armando J. de Leon, P.E., Sustainability Programs Manager •
• (434) 982-4526
Sustainability News
UVA Newcomb Hall Sustainability Kiosk
The Energy & Utilities Department has worked with a vendor to develop a "Sustainability Kiosk" at Newcomb Hall. The Kiosk displays near-realtime energy and water consumption information for the building, along with weather information, and provides a wealth of information related to sustainability issues across Grounds. You can see the kiosk web site at the link below.
UVA Newcomb Hall Sustainability Kiosk
Apply to be a Conservation Advocate!
Apply to be a Conservation Advocate with UVa Sustainability! We need CAs for all first-year dorms and as many upper-class dorms as possible, so if you live on-Grounds, you can apply! CAs meet with us every other week, and educate their residents on sustainability issues throughout the school year. See link for more information, and the application.
Conservation Advocate Application 2009-2010
Chuck it for Charity Final Count
Through Chuck it for Charity 2009, we diverted approximately 28,500 pounds of waste from landfills in the state of Virginia. UVa students donated 3,360 pounds of clothing, 345 pounds of bedding and linens, along with dozens of refrigerators, bicycles, microwaves, vacuums, desks, computer printers, couches and futons, tables, appliances, and other items. 485 pounds of nonperishable foods were donated along with over 3,600 pounds of carpeting. Fourteen organizations participated in the event this year, the highest number of participants we have ever had! The materials donated will be used by the charitable organizations in the Charlottesville community and across the world, as some groups send items overseas to areas in Africa. Thanks to all who donated!
Read more about how our items benefit charities and the community in our interview with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys.
Another UVa high ranking in Recyclemania!
Recyclemania drew to a close at the end of March 2009. UVa ranked 9th out of 293 in the Gorilla Prize, which is total pounds of recyclables recovered. We consider this a great accomplishment for the UVa community who recycles so much, and the UVa Recycling employees who process all that recycling! UVa also placed in the top 40 for Targeted Materials – Paper and Targeted Materials – Corrugated Cardboard, and top 50 in the Per-Capita Classic.
Check out the UVa participation page
Also see The overall results
Earth Day Success!
The Earth Day Extravaganza 2009 was a great success! Only 4 of about 60 people
matched all four waters right in the Tap Water Challenge! Our winners in the CAN you Guess?
Contest were Daniel Roberson, Stephen Bradford, Lindsey DeGeorge, and Abby Credicott.
They received prizes from Ragged Mountain Running Shop, Mellow Mushroom, Rita’s Ice, and
Take it Away! Hundreds came to see the dumpster dive, join our contests, and learn more
about sustainability. We hope everyone had fun and brought home some more knowledge on
keeping our University green. Look out for us in the fall at America Recycles Day 2009.
