Sustainability

• Housing supports residents in using public and green transportation, especially the free 80 route offered on campus and the nearby Lakeshore Path
• Bicycles are available for staff to use
• Zipcars are accessible to University Apartments residents
• Bicycle parking and maintenance stations are available to residents and staff
• Efficient and low-speed vehicles are prioritized when purchasing new staff vehicles
• Dining delivery vehicles operate on bio-fuel and follow a no-idling policy

• Individual temperature controls in resident rooms allow residents to heat and cool space as needed. Energy efficiency guidelines are shared at move in.
• Buildings are monitored by a computerized system to efficiently address heating and cooling issues that arise in buildings
• Rooftop solar panels assist with hot water heating at Dejope and Leopold
• Natural ventilation, fan coil units, and energy recovery wheels enhance efficiency and comfort in Chadbourne, Dejope, and Leopold
• Resident room refrigerators are Energy Star rated with an estimated 207 kWh annual electricity demand
• 90% of the boilers in University Apartments have been replaced with Energy Star boilers with 96% efficiency
• Ventilation systems use MERV 13 or better filters (IAQ) which improve air quality and increase HVAC efficiency

Bike, take the bus, or carpool when you travel

When driving home for breaks, share a ride

Use a community ZipCar

Use energy efficient lighting

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) consume less energy and have longer lifetimes than Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and incandescent light bulbs.

Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use, especially when leaving for a long weekend or break. Appliances can still draw phantom energy if plugged in when not in use. Use outlet power strips for TVs, consoles, chargers, and other electronics to easily turn off several items at once.

Only wash full loads of laundry or combine loads with a friend

Use cold cycles and hang dry clothes instead of using the dryer.

Have an idea on how to improve energy efficiency in Housing buildings? Submit a proposal to the Green Fund. Many of the Housing energy saving projects mentioned (Gordon solar, LED lighting upgrades, and the Leopold evaporative cooling system) have been student-driven and supported financially by the Green Fund.

• Our Upholstery Shop repairs furniture to repurpose items rather than landfilling them. Reupholstering furniture from Cole and Slichter dens saved an estimated $96,400 by repurposing instead of buying new.
• Anything that no longer has a purpose in Housing locations is repurposed through UW–Madison’s Solid Waste Alternatives Project (SWAP) or donated to our list of 200+ partner non-profit organizations in the greater Madison area. This accounts for about 250,000 pounds of material diverted from landfill annually.
• In 2017, Housing developed a website to streamline our furniture reallocation process, making it easier for staff and student to make requests. Housing now processes approximately 20 furniture requests each month to avoid purchasing new items.
• Housing purchases flooring that uses sustainable dye methods, resulting in 2,087,360 gallons of water saved

University Housing follows green cleaning practices in all buildings maintained by University Housing as an ongoing commitment to the health of its residents, staff, and environment. Our goal is to use only cleaning products that are sustainable and meet EPA standards.

• Our Lotus Pro water-based cleaning system is EPA registered and uses aqueous ozone to thoroughly sanitize and clean surfaces. Aqueous Ozone is Green Seal certified and helped Housing win a green cleaning award in 2013
• Housing saves $30,000 year through the elimination of traditional chemicals from our cleaning practices
• Other sustainable cleaning and operational products include
  • Ecos Pro Laundry & Dish soap
  • Seventh Generation products
  • Major Bathroom Cleaner (organic salts specifically created by Housing)
  • C.L.E.A.R. bowl cleaner (developed by Housing)
  • Eco-friendly Ice Melt
• Housing purchases paper towels, toilet paper, and plastic bags made with recycled materials
• Microfiber cloths and mops are used for cleaning instead of cotton or polyester products

With their close proximity to the campus natural areas and Lake Mendota, University Apartments supports and respects the environment.

• No chemicals are used in lawn care unless mandated
• No use of VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints to protect human and environmental health
• No Mow/Low Mow areas are in place to recover natural prairie grasses
• One of the largest and oldest community gardens in the country, the University Apartment Community Gardens hosts 500 plots for residents to plant and harvest vegetables and flower as well as compost. Many residents replenish their gardens with their own compost.
• Tree removal occurs only when absolutely needed. If a tree has to be removed, two are planted in its place.
• Eagle’s Wing childcare center integrates sustainability into their curriculum

• Make your own cleaning solutions using natural ingredients
• Instead of cleaning with paper towels, cut up old t-shirts and make reusable rags.
• Use plants to purify your air and deodorize your room.
• Upcycle materials to decorate your room

• Submit maintenance requests (residence halls or University Apartments) when you see leaky faucets, showerheads, and toilets (Housing residents and staff only).
• Only wash full loads of laundry and use the cold cycle. Hang dry items.
• Turn off the sink when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Do not let the faucet run while washing vegetables or rinsing dishes.
• Avoid using the toilet as a trash can (e.g. flushing tissues or other garbage).
• Ditch disposables! Refill rather than buying bottled water.