| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 63.89 |
| Liaison | Christa Rieck |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2022 |
University of Houston
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Yes
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Yes
1st campaign
Cougar First Impressions
A brief description of the 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.
Starting Fall 2015 and continuing each semester, 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 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.
Starting Fall 2015 and continuing each semester, 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.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:
BYOBottle has continued to shape Cougar First Impressions into 2020. In addition to the below impact, BYOBottle had its largest year yet in Fall 2019 with a 100% increase in campaign tags and participation.
At the beginning of each semester, people participate 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.
At the beginning of each semester, people participate 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.
if reporting an additional campaign, provide:
2nd campaign
RecycleMania
A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
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.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
In 2021, the Office began tracking the same metrics from Recyclemania in an ongoing manner resulting in the "Recycling Balanced Score Card" which is shown to Facilities Executive leadership monthly. This card tracks our diversion rate month by month to spot trends and inform more nuanced recycling rate improvement initiatives.
Optional Fields
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 Services and the Office of Sustainability beautify the campus.
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://uh.edu/sustainability/outreach-and-events/byobottle/
https://uh.edu/sustainability/outreach-and-events/recyclemania/
https://uh.edu/sustainability/outreach-and-events/e-waste-drive/
https://uh.edu/sustainability/outreach-and-events/recyclemania/
https://uh.edu/sustainability/outreach-and-events/e-waste-drive/
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