Sustainability

The biannual campus cleanup, tree banding, a transportation fair and a social are among the events planned for the University’s Sustainability Week Oct. 5-9.

The UNC Charlotte Staff Community Garden, an initiative of the Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Employee Health and Wellness, was relocated from behind the Facilities Management/PPS Building to the backyard of the Niner House, near the Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts.

With funding from facilities management, and a little sweat equity from staff and student employees, the 14 new, raised-bed plots were constructed and readied for planting. After some initial setup, plants at the new location are taking off.

UNC Charlotte is committed to becoming a regional model of sustainable stewardship, and toward that goal, the University recently earned two Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project grants totaling $64,000. 

Before leaving for holiday break, employees are encouraged by facilities management to take these energy conservation steps:

Lights – Lighting is the second-largest use of energy in most commercial spaces. Turning them off is a simple and effective way to conserve resources. Don’t forget about desk lamps, overhead lights and those in common spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.

The UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture will receive a $10,000 National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) Challenge America grant to support programming by the Projective Eye Gallery for the “KEEPING WATCH on WATER: City of Creeks” project. The NEA received 347 eligible Challenge America applications and will award 163 grants for a total of $1.63 million.

UNC Charlotte’s “Zero Waste Initiative” for Richardson Stadium was named the 2014 Wells Fargo Green Award winner at the annual Charlotte Chamber Energy Summit. The University was recognized in the large business category for “its impressive efforts” to eliminate waste in the 16,000-seat stadium.

The 2014 Wells Fargo Green Awards are presented to “member companies who have incorporated innovative, sustainable practices in the products they produce, the services they provide and within the culture of their company.”

Faculty, staff and students can enjoy the fall weather while assisting with this semester’s campus cleanup, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22. As part of this effort, tree banding to protect against canker worms will be from 10 a.m. to noon.

UNC Charlotte is one of four “large category” finalists for the 2014 Wells Fargo Green Awards for its zero-waste initiative in Richardson Stadium, and the public can vote for the winner.

The Wells Fargo Green Awards recognize member companies who have incorporated innovative, sustainable practices in the products they produce, the services they provide and within the culture of their company.

The Charlotte 49ers football team is into its second season, which means for home games in Richardson Stadium, the focus is on zero waste.
Last year’s efforts resulted in new initiatives for 2014, according to Brad Green, director of catering and special services for Chartwells, the University’s contracted food vendor.

UNC Charlotte is the recipient of the inaugural Air Compliance Excellence Award from the Mecklenburg County Air Quality (MCAQ); the honor is for local industry air quality permit compliance, pollution reduction and air quality improvement.