Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.66
Liaison Enid Cardinal
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Rochester Institute of Technology
IN-26: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Enid Cardinal
Senior Sustainability Advisor to the President
Office of the President
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
electric grounds keeping equipment

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

The housing grounds department purchased two Mean Green mowers in the fall of 2017, a switch from gas to electric. They also have switched to electric trimmers.
Benefits to the operation include:
• Low Noise – most gas powered mowers run at 95 to 100 decibels, our new equipment runs at 80!
• Zero Emissions – according to the EPA each horse power from a lawnmower equals 3.67 cars at 55mph emissions. Our previous mowers were equal to 88 cars at 55mph or 4,840 car miles per hour!
• Zero Gas – Mean Green boasts 90% efficiency compared to gas at about 5% of the cost of gas. We expect to save around $6.00 per hour of use!
• Low Maintenance – with no spark plugs or carburetors to clean, no engine oil or filters to replace, no belts, no pulleys and no hydraulics our maintenance costs will drop dramatically!

For off campus locations, the department employs a company called Carbon Cutters (http://organiclawncarerochester.com/), which uses all electric equipment that is charged using solar power.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Energy
Grounds

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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