University of Houston
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Cougar First Impressions (CFI) is sponsored by Staff Council and offers students a chance to receive campus maps, directions to class, and reusable water pouches from UH staff members stationed across campus during the first two days of the Fall semester. Though the event is targeted to students, it's an important event for employees to serve as leaders. In Fall 2014, Cougar First Impressions stopped handing out single-use water bottles to students and instead gave out reusable BPA-free collapsible water bottles. Employees were also directly impacted by the new efforts to eliminate plastic water bottles. All staff volunteers also used reusable bottles and faculty and staff stopped by the tents as well for water. In Fall 2015, the Office of Sustainability hosted a social engagement competition that coincided with CFI called #BYOBottle. Faculty, staff and students were encouraged to bring their reusable bottles to campus, take a photo, and post it to Twitter or Instagram with #BYOBottle.

In 2014, 15,000 reusable water bottles were given to staff volunteers and students. In 2015, over 50 people participated in the #BYOBottle social media campaign and posted photos with their reusable bottles. This campaign led to another campaign spearheaded by student government to partner with TDECU stadium management. As a result of their efforts, the stadium now allows reusable water bottles and additional water pouches left over CFI will be given away at the games to reduce waste.

Every Spring, the University of Houston participates in RecycleMania to encourage sustainable behavior, increase recycling rates on campus and reduce consumption of single use products. Students, faculty and staff participate in team competitions; past on-campus competitions have included actual weight recycled, awareness campaigns and outreach events. The full engagement efforts are listed at uh.edu/recyclemania.

In 2013, UH topped Texas in the gorilla category, which recognizes schools that recycle the highest combined gross tonnage of recycling collecting over 471,300 pounds of material. The overall recycling rate was 31% higher than any previous year for the University of Houston. In 2015, UH received recognition from InnerView for their engagement efforts during RecycleMania. Competitions were hosted and the Office of Sustainability is currently working with the competition winners in the College of Optometry to improve waste minimization.

Cleanup Day is a high-impact, low-cost volunteer event that brings the entire UH community together to refresh and renew our campus before the start of the fall semester. UH faculty, staff, students and alumni help Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability beautify the campus. http://www.uh.edu/af-auxiliary-services/sustainability/news/articles/2014/august/08142014-cleanupday.php