California State University, Sacramento
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Sac State's Sustainability Departments mission statement is as follows: California State University, Sacramento seeks leadership and excellence in sustainable practices throughout the campus. We will integrate innovative technologies that conserve resources with sensitivity for the surrounding ecosystem, and encourage environmental stewardship in our daily lives. Consistent with The CSU System and State of California conservation and environmental policies, we will pursue sustainability in the areas of Academics; Dining Services; Energy; Environmental Health & Safety; Landscape; Planning, New Construction, Renewal; Procurement; Recycle/Waste Management; Transportation; Water Conservation.

Ryan Todd - Director of Energy &Sustainability Josh Maddox - Energy & Sustainability Analyst Laura Gonzalez - Waste & Sustainability Analyst Sari Smart - Energy & Sustainability Coordinator (Grounds Manager) - Vacant position Jeff Dierking - Director of University Transportation & Parking Services Tim Bair - Director of Facilities Operations Nicole McDavid -Garden Specialist Matthew Krauel -Faculty Senate Representative Michael Mink -Faculty Senate Representative Steven Murphy -ASI Student Body Representative Aura Mendoza -ASI Student Body Representative

The Sustainability Department's goal is to reduce the environmental impact of campus and foster a culture where sustainability is second nature. The department implements sustainability initiatives on campus as well as working with students to put into action their own ideas.

During the past 3 years, the Office of Sustainability at Sacramento State has achieved major milestones under the campus climate plan and the university is still on track to meet the next major milestone of reducing overall emissions by 50% of the baseline in 2015. Projects that have been part of that strategy are: -The installation of an additional 2.5MW of on-site solar PV - Retrofitting over $6M of LED lighting to replace inefficient fluorescent lighting across campus and using lighting controls to further reduce energy use - Implementing an HVAC scheduling pilot to provide a seamless connection with campus class scheduling software to ensure that space is conditioned only when it needs to be and saving hundreds of hours of manual HVAC scheduling The Office of Sustainability at Sacramento State also implemented multiple programs and campaigns to advance the campus efforts to achieve zero waste by 2030. - Hornet Surplus: Hornet Surplus is a free website that provides campus departments and offices access to view and request reusable goods that are currently in storage at the surplus warehouse. This reuse program prevents usable materials from becoming waste and saves departments and the university money. After 4 weeks surplus items not acquired by other campus departments are listed for public sale through Public Surplus. - Waste Tro-Bins: A campus-wide bin standardization plan was put in place in which all campus indoor and outdoor bins were replaced across campus collecting mixed recycling, compost, and landfill. All bins are color-coded and have the same signage. - Events Hydration Stations: In response to this policy, the Sac State Office of Sustainability searched for innovative solutions to continue to meet the campus needs, while reducing single-use plastic water bottles, cost-effectively. This search led to the use of Water Monster Hydration Stations. This abstract presents an example of sustainability efficiency by using hydration stations at university events as an alternative to single-use plastic bottles and promoting a behavior change focused on reusables. By encouraging event hosts to use the free mobile hydration stations and encouraging attendees to bring reusable bottles for use with the hydration stations we prevent the usage of 1,000 plastic water bottles per station, per event.By encouraging event hosts to use the free mobile hydration stations and encouraging attendees to bring reusable bottles for use with the hydration stations we prevent the usage of 1,000 plastic water bottles per station, per event. - Campus Call to Action: The Office of Sustainability works with the campus ASI student government to pass a campus-wide resolution and a call to action for all campus stakeholders to get in compliance with the CSU Plastic Policy. Additionally, The Office of Sustainability supported the ASI Student Government's "Glitter is a Litter Campaign" which aimed to stop the usage of plastic confetti on campus. Additionally, the Office of Sustainability expanded the campus apiary program, Acquired CPR Garden which serves as a donation source for organic produce to the student food pantry, was part of a Tree Planting Grant that planted over 300 trees on campus, hosted a Green Career Panel to educate students on the different sustainability-related career fields, and participated and co-hosted a Circular Economy Panel every year during Entrepreneurship Week. As well as maintaining and improving the campus certifications: Bike Campus, Bee Campus, Tree Campus, and Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Energy & Sustainability Coordinator This position plays a key role in advancing sustainability efforts and energy reduction strategies across our campus. The person in this position is responsible for conducting research, analyzing data, coordinating sustainability initiatives, and facilitating energy reduction initiatives. Additionally, the Sustainability and Energy Coordinator assists with grant submissions, develops communication materials, and participates in sustainability events and meetings. Some of the key responsibilities include: 1. Research, analyze, and participate in data collection for the worldwide Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS). 2. Collaborate with students and faculty on research projects targeting campus water, energy, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. 3. Research and submit local, state, and federal grant proposals to secure funding for energy and sustainability projects. 4. Coordinate and participate in campus energy and sustainability meetings, tours, and events, both on and off campus. 5. Facilitate the campus Sustainability Committee and assist in developing and implementing sustainability policies. 6. Assist with the development of communication and marketing materials, including the Sustainability Department website, social media, and campus signage. 7. Plan, coordinate, and execute various sustainability events to promote awareness and engagement. 8. Prepare and conduct sustainability-related presentations to campus stakeholders. 9. Provide lead work direction to student assistants and interns, including training and supervision. 10. Facilitate an energy reduction team to audit and guide campus faculty and staff in energy reduction initiatives. 11. Assist with reconciling and submitting energy rebates and preparing monthly and annual energy and utilities reports. 12. Develop projected energy consumption and costs for buildings based on operating parameters. 13. Participate in system-wide Energy and Utility Managers Committee meetings to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices. 14. Integrate energy and sustainability into campus operations, student activities, and academic programs. 15. Analyze and monitor emerging energy and sustainability trends, issue recommendations, and disseminate information regarding energy policies and regulations.

Waste & Sustainability Analyst This position plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability efforts and waste reduction strategies across our campus. The person on this position is responsible for leading the campus zero waste efforts, as well as working with students and faculty on research projects targeting campus water, energy, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. Additionally, they assist in locating and submitting grant proposals, participate in campus energy and sustainability meetings and events, and prepare administrative reports. Some of the key responsibilities include: - Participate in data collection for worldwide Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System. - Work with students and faculty on research projects targeting campus water, energy, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. - Locate and assist with local, state, and federal grant submissions targeting funding for energy and sustainability projects. - Participate in campus energy and sustainability meetings, tours, and events on and off campus. - Assist with the preparation of administrative, operational, and statistical reports. - Assist with communication and marketing materials, including department website, campus signage, and biennial report. - Maintain all sustainability social media accounts. - Coordinate and execute various sustainability events. - Prepare and conduct sustainability-related presentations. - Support departmental purchasing and budget needs. - Train and provide lead work direction to student assistants and interns. - Stay informed about state-wide waste regulations and lead the creation of local policies, plans, and programs to ensure campus compliance. - Develop and implement waste plans and programs campus-wide, tracking participation and adjusting approaches to improve compliance and participation. - Track and report progress towards the campus 2030 zero-waste goal and create new programs to achieve it. - Analyze waste data and report progress toward waste reduction initiatives. - Lead the creation of campus waste policies to meet state and CSU system regulations. - Serve as a prime contact for on-campus, external, and system-wide waste relationships. - Manage monthly waste invoices and contracts, reviewing and approving charges. - Analyze waste data and maintain public dashboards to track progress towards zero waste goals. - Partner with students, faculty, and staff to create strategic solutions for waste management goals. - Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to integrate waste reduction and sustainability into campus operations. - Develop and maintain a campus-wide zero-waste plan. - Represent sustainability on community waste reduction committees. - Monitor emerging waste and sustainability trends, issuing recommendations. - Assist in tracking and reporting Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions. - Disseminate information regarding current and emerging waste policies and regulations.

Under the lead work direction of the Waste & Sustainability Analyst or other appropriate administrator, the primary duties are to collect and handle recyclable materials and trash on campus. Incumbent works cooperatively and effectively with the campus community and event sponsors. Some of the key responsibilities include: •Remove and haul waste and recyclables from areas of central aggregation, special events, and special clean-up sites. •Following a specified route or in an organized manner, collect materials from exterior campus recycling and refuse receptacles. •Deliver recycling and waste materials to proper collection points. •Organize and deliver recyclable materials to make ready for pick up. •Deliver recycling containers for special cleanups or events and remove bins as needed. •Collect and remove a variety of recyclable materials as needed including, but not limited to: paper, cardboard, bottles & cans, scrap metal, electronic waste, toner & ink cartridges, and EPS Foam. •Work with numerous customers, vendors, and campus entities in the operations of the campus recycling program. •Assists with campus event set-up for Recycling/Sustainability events including, but not limited to Earth Day, sporting events, waste audits, etc. This may include moving/unloading) heavy objects such as furniture, equipment, materials, and supplies.

Office of Sustainability Officers: Ryan Todd - Director of Energy & Sustainability Laura Gonzalez-Ospina - Waste & Sustainability Analyst Joshua Maddox - Energy & Sustainability Analyst Sari Smart - Energy & Sustainability Coordinator Arthur Rush - Metering & Sustainability Analyst Juan Marquez – Recycler Isidro Versola - Recycler