Going Greener '24
A Note from President Kelly
We launched Going Greener ‘24 at CNU and it was a year of initiatives, programs, research, faculty talks and more. Going forward, we will continue to highlight what we already do to counter climate change and take new, measurable steps to recycle more, use less energy, and move our campus toward being a model of sustainability.
This is the right thing to do for several good reasons. We are adopting new procedures and a new mindset that will position the University to succeed as our environment changes. We are saving University funds through reduced energy use and materials consumption now and for years to come. As a member of a region that includes rivers, bays and an ocean, we are demonstrating that we are a good neighbor, eager to protect our beautiful corner of the world.
Zero-Waste Initiative at Athletics Events
Don’t forget to recycle when you go to CNU events. Look for the special signage as we strive to dramatically reduce waste generated by fans and the audiences at shows. And you can help! Be a Bin Goalie!Sign up to volunteer at our recycling stations.
December 6 Update - With the football season concluded, all signs indicate fans responded just as we hoped they would. The percentage of trash going to compost and recycling steadily increased and we have the information and support we need to go even higher in the seasons to come.
October 18 Update - This initiative is working. The percent of recycled and composted waste went up between the first and second football games of the season and more progress is expected in the remaining games. Keep up the good work Captains!
Updates on Areas of Focus - September 2024
Energy Working Group Highlights:
- More efficient kitchen exhaust controls installed in DSU
- Library high efficiency boiler replacement- less natural gas use
- Potomac River Halls- partial roof replacement, increased insulation values over new roof sections
- Planning for Ferguson Center roof replacement
Waste, Grounds, and Water Working Group Highlights:
- 95% return rate of Green To Go dining hall containers.
- GiveItUP Move-out program added permanent bin on East Campus
- Developing standard waste management goals and procedures
- Developing more sustainable groundskeeping practices
- Developing sustainable landscape designs
Education, Research, and Campus Culture Working Group Highlights:
- Center for Sustainability in Education (CSE) events and programming supported by Sustainability Fellows and Interns including the Reiff Center, Wason Center, ORCA, APO, Student Government Association and others.
- Incorporating sustainability training into Setting Sail and Welcome Week.
- Launched Coffee with the CSE on Mondays.
- Started a social media campaign called Sustainability Sunday to focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
- Ongoing collaborative public science research project (Fear to Hope).
- Developing signage on campus to highlight sustainability (e.g., LEED buildings, EV stations, bike stations, pollinator garden)
Communication/Advancement/Outreach/Fundraising Highlights
- Two funded accounts devoted to this initiative have been set up: the Going Greener 24 Fund, and the Sustainability & Campus Climate Plan (SCCP) Operating Account.
- CNU Day 2024 giving included approximately $1000 to the Going Greener 24 Fund for visible campus projects.
- The newly-minted CNU Strategic Compass highlights environmental sustainability in Priority IV - Build a Foundation to Thrive.
- LEED certification plaques are being installed on the Trible Library addition and Christopher Newport Hall.
How You Can Help
Watch this space for information about contributing your insight and passion to this effort. As Go Greener ‘24 gathers momentum, it will build on the foundation set by the Zero Carbon Task Force chaired by Prof. Benjamin Redekop and the University Sustainability Committee chaired by Brian Kelley.