Emory University
ER-2: Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign

Energy Awareness Campaign and Building Energy Reduction Competition: Campus-wide energy reduction campaigns are organized annually by the Office of Sustainability Initiatives. A prize goes to the greatest reduction of energy use in comparison with that month in the previous year. Outreach efforts include articles and posters, banners around campus, signs near elevators, etc. Recyclemania: Emory also participates annually in Recyclemania. Haiti Relief Conservation Challenge: In 2010, Emory participated in this challenge, which turned energy reduction savings into money to send two research teams to Haiti. All cost savings from reduced electricity usage from March of 2010 as compared to the same month in 2009 were redirected to a fund managed by the Global Health Institute to fund two cross-university student research projects in Haiti that will improve access to chlorinated water and assess mental health needs. Zero-Waste Commencement: At Emory's 2010 Graduation, all College and professional school Commencement events were organized as zero-waste events. Emory Recycles provided equipment for composting and recycling to help graduates, guests, faculty, and staff place their waste in the proper containers and keep it out of the landfill. A number of events had volunteers and balloons at their waste stations to help keep compostables and recyclables out of the landfill and educate guests about the zero-waste event. Don't Dump It, Donate It!: This event is coordinated by the Emory Recycles Program in coordination with several local Atlanta charities. This drive gives students an opportunity to donate items such as clothes, bedding, or furniture they no longer have use for to local Atlanta charities.

Energy Awareness Campaign: Emory's annual energy reduction competition resulted in a $30,500 drop in utility costs in the month of October 2010. Overall, the contest resulted in savings of 414,000 kWh, 317 tons of CO2 emissions, and 54,000 gallons of water compared to October 2009. Recyclemania: During the 2010 competition, Emory placed 8th out of 346 schools in the Gorilla Prize Competition. During the competition, Emory increased its weekly recycling tonnage from 86,051.0 lbs during Week 1 to 88,891.0 lbs during Week 10. Haiti Relief Conservation Challenge: Through the campaign, Emory saw a 4% energy reduction on top of ongoing energy reduction efforts and saved $32,940. This money was used to send two teams to Haiti to conduct relief projects. Zero-Waste Commencement: 14 Commencement events participated in the Zero-Waste Commencement efforts, including the graduation ceremonies for the graduate and professional schools, the College, as well as the Baccalaureate Brunch. 1.85 tons of waste were diverted from the landfill. Don't Dump It, Donate It!: During the 2010 drive, roughly 5,000 lbs of material, mostly clothing, were donated by students and diverted from the landfill.