Green Rovers 12

1. Green Rovers 12 Developed Topics Theme Days Green Rovers (Patrollers) Green Supply Chain Local Composting Facility Sustainable Living Community Reduce Commuting

2. Green Rovers 12 IdeaTHEME DAYS Description Designated days twice a month that call attention to sustainable movements on campus. The themes can be generated by the Sustainability Center or can be sponsored by campus groups or local businesses. Examples: Blackout Day, Carry Your Trash Day, NV (Natural Ventilation) Day Stakeholders Every living thing Impact Environmental Increase in awareness and initiative to take action Cultural Community feel, interaction among students and locals Economic Low impact, but if successful, would save money (electricity, waste, etc.) Implementation HowStudent involvement WhoStudent-run organization or task force CostLow PaybackN/A

3. Green Rovers 12 IdeaGREEN ROVERS Description Work study program where groups of 2-3 students patrol the campus to exemplify sustainable behavior, turn off lights, turn down heat, close/open windows, and report overlooked maintenance issues. They could reward students with coupons from local merchants and provide a weekly status report about the Institute’s sustainability. Stakeholders Every living thing Impact Environmental Less waste, increase in recycling, energy conservation Cultural Provide good examples of sustainable habits Economic Low impact, but if successful, would save money (electricity, waste, etc.) Implementation HowStudent involvement, Work Study WhoStudent-run organization or task force CostLow PaybackMedium

5. Green Rovers 12 IdeaGREEN SUPPLY CHAIN Description Adopt a policy to consider the carbon footprint and environmental impact of each purchasing decision. Stakeholders Everything that breathes Impact Environmental Less waste, energy conservation, choice of sustainable materials, the greening of support businesses Cultural Provide good examples of sustainable habits Economic Low financial investment, moderate time investment, large environmental payback Implementation HowRPI procurement department with student research and assistance WhoAll responsible for purchasing descisions CostLow PaybackN/A

7. Green Rovers 12 Idea LOCAL COMPOSTING FACILITY Description The facility would collect all organic waste (landscaping, food preparation, regular garbage) from RPI and local communities to compost it at a local facility. Decomposed waste will be processed with an anerobic digester to create: Solids to use as fertilizer by RPI or local farmers Methane to run a motor/generator system with resulting electricity sold back to utility via net metering Leachate that is biologically remediated before being released to the sewer. Stakeholders Entire campus Sodexho City of Troy National Grid Local Farms Impact Environmental Eliminates organic waste currently going to landfills Produces electricity for the grid made by renewable resource Eliminates methane gas emissions from anaerobic decomposition Cultural Changes campus mindset regarding organic waste disposal. Economic Revenue from electricity and fertilizer Eliminate cost of landfilling. Implementation How Facility would be located on purchased land within a 5-mile radius of campus. WhoFacility construction would be overseen by Campus Planning & Facilities Design, and its operation would be the responsibility of Envriomentaland Site Services or a private company. CostMedium Payback Calculated revenue from electrical generation is $500-$1000 day. Estimated savings in not having to landfill is $50,000-$100,000

9. Green Rovers 12 Idea SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMMUNITY Description A neighborhood of small off-grid single family homes designed by interdisciplinary design studios (perhaps in conjunction with a Solar Decathlon studio) , built by students (perhaps a summer session activity for credit), built in walkable distance to campus, owned by staff and faculty, or by the institute for grad student or married student housing, utilizing and showcasing current RPI research efforts. Stakeholders Everything that breathes. Impact Environmental Reduces energy use per capita in our community. Reduce staff-fac commute. Cultural Demonstrates the feasibility of low impact sustainable living especially in an urban setting. Improves Campus Edges and gateways. Establishes an interesting, attractive and engaging approach to campus. Economic Develop new housing in our community. Prototype homes could be produced and sold to owners in other neighborhoods and communities. Implementation How research examples , develop a curriculum, establish courses, identify buyers/clients, locate land WhoSchool of Architecture as lead, other schools interdisciplinary, CPFD, some outside contractors needed Cost some research funding, faculty cost, building materials, Payback client/owner pays for the house so some cost is recovered immediately. RPI has less expense for mowing of open.

11. Green Rovers 12 Idea REDUCE COMMUTING IMPACTS Description Reduce the length of commute by staff and faculty Reduce the need to commute by staff and faculty Reduce the environmental and financial cost of commuting by staff and faculty Stakeholders Everything that breathes Impact Environmental Conserves natural resources Cultural Less time spent commuting means more time spent on career and family and recreation. Economic Less money spent on commute means more money for investment in meaningful endeavor. Less money spent on road repairs. Implementation How incentives to purchase local homes, incentives to rent locally, promote local business development and local schools to make neighborhoods more livable, incentives to carpool Who Institute Administration HR, CPFD, Transportation Cost housing incentives - $250,000 per year Promotional Materials and training – low cost, Payback economic impacts described above, less parking lots to maintain on campus, building of local Intellectual Community surrounding campus.

12. Conceptual Ideas Resource Usage Feedback Visual displays that indicate energy use within the building Sustainability Technology Showcasing Fosters interdepartmental collaboration Windmill / Windmill Farm One large windmill on top of the hill – energy producing and visual reminder Series of smaller windmill installations in overly windy areas (i.e., DCC wind tunnel) Sustainable Community Develop on-campus living community for student or faculty that encourages local and sustainable living Reduce commuting footprint. Incentives for faculty/staff to live close to campus Hudson River Water Turbines Generating electric power from the river flow Promote Human Power Encourage walking and bicycling as alternative means of transportation Sustainability Competitions Participation in events such as Solar Decathlon and the EcoHall Challenge