Working Green at Miami University MiddletownLance Beckett and Martha Stafford

Why Go Green? It is estimated that the United States will generate

about 106 billion tons of waste in the next ten years.

1.3 trillion gallons of sewage yearly

50 million tons of paper yearly

Enough glass bottles and jars to fill the Sears Tower 60 times each year.

90% of plastic waste will go un-recycled annually.

Big IdeasFollowing are some of ideas that can be used to help Miami University Middletown “go green.”

Why MUM?

It’s Local, giving easy access to recourses, staff, and faculty.

We met with Charles Mack, Facilities Head

We were curious about how eco-friendly our campus is.

Our ideas may actually be able to help MUM be more environmentally friendly.

MUM has recently begun looking into LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

Why did we chose to focus on Miami Middletown for this project?

100% Recycled Printer PaperBoise Aspen 30% Recycled (currently used)

Wausau Exact Eco 100

Cost per ream (500 sheets)

$6.19 $5.19

Cost per case of 10 reams(5000 sheets)

$61.99 $51.99

A search of online vendors shows the potential savings of switching to a 100% recycled printer paper.

High Efficiency Air DryersHigh efficiency air dryers such as the Extreme Air line from

American Dryer in campus restrooms can result in significant savings.

$300-$400 per dryer

Annual operational Cost of $500

80% energy savings over traditional air dryers

$23,500 annual savings over the cost of paper towels

Energy Star Vending Machines 50% energy savings over traditional vending

machines

$150 annual energy savings per machine

Traditional machines can be adjusted with an adapter kit.

Vending Miser kits from USA Technologies cost only $150, thus paying for itself in the first year.

Similar kits are currently in place at MUM

eBook Text Reader $259 for Kindle eBook reader from Amazon.com

Free wireless network similar to cell phone network allows book shopping anywhere

High resolution “electronic paper” technology screen reduces eye strain

Over 360,000 books, magazines, and newspaper subscriptions available for less than $10

Holds 200 titles

Reduces paper and space used for traditional text books

The U. S. Navy is currently putting training info into PSP format

Recycle e-Waste According to the EPA 2.5 million tons of unwanted

electronic items (such as computers, televisions, cell phones) are thrown out yearly.

61%of these items could be reused or refurbished.

These items contain harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants.

Many of these items are 100%recyclable.

The Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste District has local e-waste drop off points listed on their website.

Commuting Commuting counts for the largest part of MUM’s

carbon footprint.

A campus ride sharing program could help.

Would need wide awareness to promote the program.

Could use a contractual gas fare agreement

Could use a rating system to rate the dependability of drivers and willingness of riders to pay and be courteous.

Ride schedules would need to be devised around alternating class schedules.

What is MUM already doing?MUM has already implemented some ideas that we researched. Here are a few of them…

Automated Heating and Cooling

Since 1998 MUM has been using an automated heating and cooling system that can be monitored and adjusted remotely.

In the three newest buildings temperature can be controlled on a room by room basis.

In the older buildings temperature can be controlled by floor.

Ratio of 20% fresh air is maintained in the buildings.

One of our ideas was to install programmable thermostats. Mum had already gone beyond that.

Automated Heating and Cooling cont….

Air pressure in the buildings can also be controlled to help regulate the loss of heated and cooled air.

Exhaust air passes through a coil system that captures heat to aid in the heating of incoming air. This cuts the energy used in heating.

Eco-Friendly Cleaners MUM is already using biodegradable,

environmentally conscious cleaning products on campus.

These cleaners reduce the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment in drain water.

The cost of these products is comparable to traditional cleaners.

Water Heaters All water heaters on campus are insulated to reduce

the energy used in constant reheating.

The temperatures on the water heaters are set to 120 degrees, also to reduce energy spent in heating.

A heating booster is used in the kitchen area, where hotter water is required.

Air Dryers MUM has installed air dryers in the restrooms in

Theskin Hall.

Although these are nowhere near as efficient as the Extreme Air dryers we suggested, they are a step toward paper towel-free restrooms.

Motion Sensor Lights Many of the offices and classrooms at MUM have

motion sensor controlled lights.

These cut down the amount of electricity used by leaving lights on when a room is not in use.

These sensors are not the type found on driveways and front porches. They are more sensitive and avoid turning off when there is someone in the room working, even when there are only small movements.

Landscaping Many of the flowers, trees, and grasses used on

campus are native strains or water conserving types. This reduces the amount of watering and fertilizing required.

These plants also help reduce soil loss due to corrosion from water run-off down the steep inclines of the hills surrounding the campus.

Influencing change

Never ask others to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.

Let people now what the benefits will be.

Start with the low-hanging fruit and warm-up to the more difficult changes.

Change can always expect to meet with resistance, however there are things to keep in mind that will help deal with this.

Goals MUM would is working toward sustainability and

zero impact carbon footprint.

The campus has recently begun looking into the requirements for LEED certification, which measures impact, interior environment, and sustainability among other criteria.

Facility head, Charles Mack has requested a copy of our ideas. He thinks that they may help to serve as a springboard for other ideas.

Goals cont…. Martha Stafford would like to work toward starting a

“Green” club at the MUM campus similar to the one at Miami Oxford.

Discount bus fare for local students to cut down on carbon emissions from commuting.

Summary MUM has begun taking steps to make the campus

more environmentally responsible.

There are many ways that the campus can continue to move toward lower carbon footprint.

Student and faculty involvement may help generate ways for MUM to improve its “green” status.

Conclusion From this project we have found many ways that

Miami University Middletown is going green and many ways that can help MUM continue working toward that goal.

Working as a team has allowed us to broaden our outlook on the subject through varied styles of working and research.

Many ideas were things that one or the other of us would not have thought of on our own.

DiscussionWe’ve included some of our ideas and some

of the things that Miami Middletown is doing to become more environmentally-responsible. Are there any questions or comments?