Sustainability @ UNC

November 2, 2017

Sustainability @ UNC distributes a periodic newsletter containing our recent news stories along with information about upcoming events and sustainability job and internship opportunities. To receive this newsletter, join our listserv.

Green Tip

The weather is finally starting to cool down! Keep warm with a comfy blanket and warm sweaters, instead of a space heater. Personal heaters are discouraged on campus, not only because they can be safety hazards, but because they use a lot of energy. Our campus energy policy sets building temperatures at 69 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. If your office is a lot colder than that, submit a service request through UNC Facilities Services or call their customer service line at 919-962-3456 to put in a service request. The HVAC team will visit your office to ensure that the system is working properly.

Campus Sustainability Events

America Recycles Day & Three Zeros Scavenger Hunt

Check out the online sustainability events calendar for other great sustainability events happening this month.

Three Zeros Scavenger Hunt

Start mapping: Nov. 8! Deadline: Nov. 15

Help develop a crowd-sourced map of sustainability features on campus. Participants will look for places on campus that illustrate the Three Zeros Environmental Initiative: zero waste to landfills, net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and net zero water use. Identified features will be tracked on a map as part of UNC’s GIS Day. Prizes will be awarded to all contributors on Nov. 15 during the America Recycles Day Celebration in the Student Union Lobby from 11-2pm and at the GIS Day Map Competition Awards from 3-4pm at the Research Hub, 2nd floor of Davis Library!

UNC Celebrates America Recycles Day

Plus, a Plastic Bag Recycling Drive!

November 15 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Student Union Lobby

This year, OWRR is celebrating America Recycles by holding a plastic bag recycling drive from 11a-2p. So, if you’ve had some plastic bags piling up that you’d like to recycle, bring those out and we’ll also show you where you can recycle them on a regular basis at the Union!

Watch now to learn about plastic film and plastic bag recycling at UNC Chapel Hill! This quick and informative video will tell you how to recycle plastic film, what types are recyclable, and where to recycle it!

Stop by for free info, prizes and fun. And, be sure to come out to the Student Union on Wednesday 11/15 to claim your Three Zeros Scavenger Hunt prize!

Sustainability on Campus

Cross-disciplinary Sustainability Classes Offered Spring 2018

As students think about registering for spring 2018 courses, the Sustainability Office has made it easier to find courses that incorporate sustainability concepts. The inventory includes courses offered across multiple disciplines. The opportunity to learn about sustainability exists in many fields of study.

“Taking a course that teaches the concepts of sustainability can help you land a job after graduation,” said Amy Armbruster, research and outreach manager of the sustainability office. “As businesses and government focus more on the importance of sustainability, employers are increasingly emphasizing an understanding of the concepts of sustainability, even for jobs that are not explicitly focused on sustainability.”

Dr. Hee's class on a sustainability tour

Did You Know? The Sustainability Office Offers Campus Sustainability Tours!

UNC is a living laboratory, showcasing innovative examples of sustainability at work. Faculty can take advantage of this educational tool by partnering with the Sustainability Office to include a campus sustainability tour in their courses. Tours offer a broad overview of sustainability, such as stormwater management, district heating and cooling, and environmental planning. Specific strategies on view are green roofs, solar panels, sustainable buildings and building materials, and integrated waste management.

Contact the Sustainability Office to discuss how we can help bring sustainability into your syllabus.

Carolina in the News

UNC Creates UNC Institute for Convergent Science

On October 6, the University announced the Institute for Convergent Science when it launched its multiyear fundraising campaign, “For All Kind: The Campaign for Carolina.” The institute will bring together experts from a variety of scientific disciplines to make a difference in the world. This new institute aims to foster innovative ideas and transform them into real-world applications seamlessly by having a physical location for experts across multiple disciplines.