Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.65
Liaison Jennifer Bodine
Submission Date Feb. 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Weber State University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Jennifer Bodine
Sustainability Specialist
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution held at least one 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 at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Yes

Name of the campaign:
Clear the Air Challenge

A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged:

The Clear the Air Challenge is a month long competition that gives participants the chance to reduce their vehicle emissions by choosing alternative methods of transportation using TravelWise strategies. By driving less and driving smarter, participants ultimately help improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and conserve energy in Utah.

Weber State University participated in the statewide challenge last February (2018) and is currently in the process of gearing up for the 2019 challenge. WSU competes against other universities and organizations within Utah and also hosts an internal challenge between the five university divisions and students. Last year, students won the interal competition.

WSU's Environmental Ambassadors, Green Team leaders, and university Wellness Program are primarily responsible for advertising the challenge and recruiting participants. Advertising takes place via email, through WSU's Bulletins and Announcements page, social media, student newspaper, tabling, and fliers.


A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:

Impacts are measured using the TravelWise tracker, an online tool that helps individuals and teams track trips and miles saved. Per the TravelWise tracker, last year WSU traveled over 32,078 miles, logged 3,040 trips, saved 8.9 tons of CO2, saved $11,537 in avoided fuel costs, and burned 80,900 calories through active transportation.


The website URL where information about the campaign is available:
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
Cut Pollution - Mow Electric

A brief description of the campaign, including how students and/or employees were engaged (2nd campaign):

Weber State University’s sustainability offices, in partnership with the Weber-Morgan and Davis County Health Departments, hosted the Cut Pollution – Mow Electric program in spring, 2018 to promote cleaner air and healthier lives in Utah. This program was offered statewide.

Those who entered and were selected through an online lottery could turn in their operable gas-powered mower and receive a new Kobalt 40-volt cordless electric lawn mower with mulching capability for $100 (plus tax and a 3% credit card processing fee). Waivers of the $100 fee were available for those in need.

This program was advertised on and off campus via email, social media, local newspapers, and fliers.


A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):

The Cut Pollution – Mow Electric program was completed on April 21, 2018 when 837 gas-powered mowers were exchanged for electric mowers from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 433 of those mowers were distributed at the Weber State University Davis campus and 404 mowers were exchanged at the Weber State University Ogden campus.

Per the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, each hour spent mowing produces emissions equivalent to 160 vehicle miles traveled. The average homeowner mows their lawn about 30 times per year and spends about an hour each time mowing. Therefore, in one year, the 837 mowers distributed through this program will save emissions equivalent to 4,017,600 vehicle miles traveled.

Using the emissions factors developed by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (see attached) we calculate that these 837 electric mowers will save the following emissions annually:
CO Exhaust NOx Exhaust VOC Total PM10 Exhaust PM2.5 Exhaust CO2 Exhaust
14,609 lbs 198.74 lbs 1,329.14 lbs 22.55 lbs 20.75 lbs 91,230.11 lbs


The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
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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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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.