Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.35
Liaison Gioia Thompson
Submission Date March 19, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Vermont
IN-3: Innovation 3

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Gioia Thompson
Sustainability Strategist
UVM Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

The University of Vermont’s newly renovated Aiken Center includes an Eco-Machine, an innovative way to treat wastewater. An Eco-Machine mimics the natural purifications processes found in wetland, groundwater, stream and pond ecosystems. The Eco-Machine is home to communities of aquatic micro-organisms, invertebrates and wetland plants working in concert to degrade pollutants and to transform the nutrients and energy in sewage into a profusion of life. The building’s wastewater is treated in the system and reused for non-potable use, reducing water consumption. Students are involved with lab work and research.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The Eco-Machine lives in the LEED Platinum Aiken Center, which houses the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. More about the building here: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=news&&storyID=13048


The Eco-Machine lives in the LEED Platinum Aiken Center, which houses the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. More about the building here: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/?Page=news&&storyID=13048

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.