Annual Report FY15 - Wartburg College

Annual Report

Fiscal year 2014-‐2015 There is no doubt this is the busiest, craziest, and best year Wartburg College Sustainability has had thus far. In an effort to keep transparency with the college as well as report on impact, the department, and its advising body, the Energy & Environmental Sustainability Initiative, is releasing this annual report. In this report you will find a myriad of events and efforts supported by the sustainability office. Following is a report of spending and budget for the department and associated programs, as well as statistical reports for the waste management and energy reduction efforts.

Accomplishments Awards and Acknowledgements

The year started great in March when Wartburg College became the first private college in Iowa, second in the Midwest, and ninth in the nation to earn a Gold level rating in the current version of the Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System. STARS is a program of the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and recognized as the leading gauge of sustainability in higher education. STARS encompasses ranking in almost 75 categories spanning academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration. Completion of the STARS allowed us to comprehensively measure where we have grown, and what areas we have left to improve upon. The final report can be found at https://stars.aashe.org/institutions/wartburg-‐college-‐ia/report/.

Shortly after the school year ended, we were notified Wartburg College has been ranked by BestColleges.com America’s Greenest Universities listing, receiving 26th of the 240 institutions reviewed. The listing can be found at http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/greenest-‐universities/.

This fall we were notified of our ranking in the Sierra Club Cool Schools review. After several years of trying to work our way up this list, we are pleased to say we are ranked in the 50th percentile. The full listing can be found at http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2015-‐5-‐september-‐october/cool-‐schools-‐2015/full-‐ranking

Annual Sustainability Report FY 14-‐15

Purposeful Networks, formerly known as myActions, recognized Wartburg College with a Green Level Student Actions Award for the 2015 Spring Semester. This award honors undergraduate schools for demonstrated student leadership, momentum and engagement in activities that positively impact our communities and our planet. One hundred twenty-‐five schools were recognized for excellence during the Spring 2015 Semester -‐ the complete list of honorees is available at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/08/prweb12919313.htm. In addition to these press-‐worthy accomplishments, Wartburg College was included in the July issue of Buildings magazine. Wartburg College was selected as a case study as part of an article on food waste reduction. The full feature article can be found at http://www.buildings.com/article-‐details/articleid/19061/title/5-‐tactics-‐to-‐reduce-‐food-‐waste.aspx, with a direct link to the Wartburg case study http://www.buildings.com/article-‐details/articleid/19063/title/high-‐marks-‐for-‐composting-‐at-‐wartburg-‐college.aspx.

Waste Management Changes -‐ Working Towards 80% Diversion by 2020

The 2014-‐2015 year was largely focused on the finalization of an improved system for waste management. The previous system made it easier to throw items away than to divert waste away from the landfill. In May of 2014 we began implementation of a system with the primary goal of working towards 80% of waste diversion away from the landfill by 2020. The system included four main changes;

1. Pairing of recycle and waste containers unilaterally across campus to establish waste stations,

2. Addition of stations so as to have one within 50 feet of any workspaces, 3. Relabeling of desk side containers to convert large desk side waste cans to recycling and

add a small waste container hanging on its side, 4. Asking the user to empty their recycling and waste containers.

Financials

Our goal was a cost reduction of $8,327.53 per school year, based on FY14 rates. We were able to exceed this goal, with a savings of $10,080, normalized to the 2014 fees, reflecting a reduction of 50 cubic yards of collection per week. However, fees have risen every year. Had we made no change, we would be paying $12,168 more per school year on landfill fees. The total cost for implementation was $22,147. As you can see from the chart below, a majority was used to purchase new containers. At the onset of the retrofit the President’s office asked that recycling containers in main thoroughfares be improved so they match the high standards for campus ascetics. The President was willing to provide a match for the grant to help with the added aesthetics. The

$917.92 $146.52

$1,788.41

$2,198.33

$2,600.00 $14,496.16

Container Labels Marketing Material Desk-‐Side Bins Retrocits lifting tailgate New Containers

Recycling Upgrade Expenses


lifting tailgate purchased for recycling has proven to be very useful for the entire maintenance staff in moving large and heavy material.

The cost of the project was primarily funded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Alternatives Program. SWAP works to reduce the amount of solid waste generated and landfilled in Iowa by providing forgivable loans through a competitive application process. Following is a list of which funding sources were used.

SWAP = $16,609 President’s Office = $2,500 Sustainability = $2,000 Maintenance = $1,038

Our final report to the grant noted that we exceed our goal for diversion, and also spent less than budgeted. We were pleased that we could exceed the goals, and provide a positive report for our first experience with the SWAP program. It is our intent to request funds from SWAP in the future to help with food waste diversion efforts.

Changes from Pepsi

To help with communication, we try to use images of actual waste. We had to update the stickers when the college changed our beverage contract from Pepsi Co. to Cola-‐Cola. All signage on the redemption, and most of the singe-‐stream recycling signage had to be replaced, as well as the station posters. We used the opportunity to make signage changes to improve communication. The total cost is yet to be determined, but estimated to be around $200.

Waste Reports

RecycleMania

Wartburg College has been a participant in the international RecycleMania competition since 2012. Each year our goal is two-‐fold; improve our waste reduction and/or diversion efforts from the previous year, and establish our annual measurements for waste. We do not receive measurements of our waste unless requested, so this eight-‐week period serves as a concerted effort to measure waste. The volumes measured are used to establish our annual diversion rate. However, in fiscal year 17 the city of Waverly will receive a new trash truck with an axle scale, allowing us to receive regular and more accurate data. Below are the results of this years competition. This was our first real measurement after the waste related changes implemented in spring of 2014. As you can see, we have reason to be pleased. We obviously still have room to grow, and a ways to reach our goal of 80% diversion by 2020, but we are moving in the right direction.

8 week total recycling weight

8 week total landfill weight

8 week average diversion rate

2014 Results 50,352 lbs 336,864 lbs 10.57% 2015 Results 39,030 lbs 140,557 lbs 27.17% Change 14à15 q 11,322 lbs q 196,307 lbs p 16.60%


Utility Reports Following is a series of graphs to provide details on utility usage and costs.

The first graph shows the cost of utilities over the past five fiscal years. Overall, the total utility cost, including water, electricity, and natural gas, decreased $222,607.49 (12.7%) from FY11 to FY15. We will address some specifics leading to the lack of decrease in utilities later in this document, however we were surprised by such an increase. With the decrease in enrollment, we expected the utility costs to also decrease as well.

Each of our utilities fluctuate in usage levels based on season. To help you understand this seasonal change, we have taken the average of monthly usage over the past three fiscal years.

For the most part, water usage during the school year is rather steady. Each of the past three years February has spiked in usage. It is possible that this hike is due to seasonal breaks in pipes, but other than this we can not identify a reason for this usage. During the summer months the use will usually start low, then increase as precipitation decreased. Hertel Field is our primary user of water during the warmer seasons, averaging 29% of our campus water use during the warmer season (max use of 71% in July of 2012).

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Water. Cost $139,098.58 $122,767.89 $121,915.53 $146,157.63 $142,559.83 Elect. $ $1,118,581.46 $1,124,452.81 $1,022,020.96 $982,606.68 $1,003,677.75 Gas Cost 489,510 386,160 301,638 599,261 378,345

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3-‐year average monthly usage

Gas (BTU) Electric (100 kWh) Water (CY)


Natural gas is used throughout the year for our domestic hot water, however use increases in the winter months as it is our primary fuel source for building heating. Most of our buildings are heated through a boiler system, which used natural gas to heat tanks of water, then the hot water or steam travel through pipes in a building, radiating the heat. Our electric load stays fairly steady throughout the year. The peaks in the summer months are caused by air conditioning use. Thankfully the demand for cooling happens mostly while our residence halls are not in use. Also our buildings with air conditioning tend to be more efficient. The cost of our utilities is impacted by the annual change in unit costs; cost per cubic foot for water, kilowatt hours for electricity, or British thermal units for natural gas. To help understand this cost, we are providing the following graphs to show annual change from these charges over the past five fiscal years.

Seasonal changes, averaged over the year, can have a significant change in our annual utility usage. As an example, we can probably all remember how cold the past two winters had been, reflected by an increase in natural gas usage. The decrease in usage of water during the first few years are indicitive of the improvements the college made in decrease water use. As mentioned earlier, the heavy use of water at Hertel Field is a contributing factor to the increase in water use. For the most part, the electricy use has been consistent.

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Cost per Unit -‐ Annual Change by %

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Usage -‐ Annual Change by %

Gas (BTU) Electric (KwH) Water (CF)


Water The campus uses water for general public use, food preparation, cleaning, etc. We receive our water usage through the measurement of multiple meters across campus.

Electricity Electricity is used throughout campus to power everything electrical, from lights, to automated door openers, to the Campus Security’s shuttle. Monthly electrical costs are heavily impacted by demand use, the peak amount of use we have in a given moment. The best way to reduce electrical cost is to reduce peaks in energy use.

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Water. Cost $119,232.08 $127,047.45 $146,922.15 $133,225.38 $139,890.91 $139,098.58 $122,767.89 $121,915.53 $146,157.63 $142,559.83

Water Usage -‐ CF 2,200,016 2,163,663 2,357,720 2,125,740 2,098,130 2,067,720 1,634,151 2,196,613 2,207,180 2,233,928

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Water Use and Cost

Water. Cost Water Usage -‐ CF

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Elect. $ $760,289.74 $722,893.06 $931,747.27 $878,333.90 $927,823.46 $1,118,581.46 $1,124,452.81 $1,022,020.96 $982,606.68 $1,003,677.75

Elect. KwH 12,310,800 12,069,600 13,561,900 13,848,550 14,066,000 14,560,224 14,714,157 13,461,042 13,076,922 13,712,282

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Cost of Electricity Used

Kilowatt Hours of Electricity Used

Electrical Use and Cost

Elect. $ Elect. KwH


Natural Gas Natural gas is used to heat the domestic hot water and many of the buildings on campus. The use and cost of gas during the fiscal year 13/14 is directly connected to the cold winter. The months of January, February, and March showed increase use, while the cost per unit nearly doubled because of the high demand.

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Gas Cost $692,580.36 $633,623.06 $758,786.77 $813,435.23 654,883 489,510 386,160 301,638 599,261 378,345

Gas -‐ BTU 55,755 64,569 77,654 78,041 73,597 77,240 67,728 68,057 84,623 77,611

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Gas Use and Cost

Gas Cost Gas -‐ BTU


Outreach

Be Green Certification

The Be Green Certification began in 2011-‐2012 as a student designed and led effort to help other students learn more about their environmental footprint, and identify ways to reduce their footprint. This year a couple students are working hard to promote participation specifically to the student senators through extra trainings and group work nights where they can do this together.

Certification Level Class of 2014

Class of 2015

Class of 2016

Class of 2017

Class of 2018

Class of 2019

Faculty & Staff

Application/Pledge 20 22 12 10 7 1 2 Bronze 15 15 6 7 1 0 1 Silver 3 7 2 0 0 0 1 Gold 2 3 2 0 0 0 1

Platinum 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Graduation Pledge

Each year we communicate with graduating seniors to remind them of the sustainable related values we have been trying to teach them here at Wartburg, and ask them to make a sustainability graduation pledge. The pledge is:

"I pledge to take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work."

Of the 329 students graduating in May of 2015, 245 signed the pledge, a total of 74%. That is up from 64% in the May 2014 graduating class. During the graduation ceremony the Dean of Academic Affairs, or the President, speaks to the audience about the pledge, and ask all those who have signed to stand and be recognized. A copy of the pledge is also in printed in the program.

Bottle Fillers

Over the years we have continued to add bottle fillers around campus, in an effort to encourage students to utilize personal containers instead of disposal. We now have a total of eight fillers on campus; Information Desk, Library 2nd floor, Luther Hall 2nd floor, Science Center 1st floor, Fine Arts Center 1st floor, Hall of Champions, The W workout area, and Löhe hall 1st floor. Based on meters on the fillers, use of these fillers has already saved 400,000 plastic bottles.

Garden Moving

Since 2010 the Wartburg Garden has been a space of tilled land located next to N lot on the northeast corner of campus. Due to the work on the Dry Run Creek, the city of Waverly purchased an easement that covered the north end of the garden. We utilized the opportunity to relocate and redesign the garden. The new garden includes the equivalent of 14 -‐ 4ft x 8ft raised beds. The beds were built with student and staff volunteers, made of cedar wood for natural moisture and pest resistance. Although the land and soil has treated us well, this new garden will be easier to maintain, closer to campus for increased visibility, and near dining services for easy access for service and food needs.


Financials

The Sustainability Department was given the following budget for operations and student employment, which include office and recycling responsibilities. All student workers work at least one recycling shift a week to help them stay connected and be able to answer questions.

Fiscal Year 2013-‐2014 Awarded Expended Balance Student Wages $10,397.00 $10,182.79 $214.21 Department Budget $9,125.00 $8,702.99 $422.01 Totals $19,522.00 $18,885.78 $636.22 Fiscal Year 2014-‐2015 Awarded Expended Balance Student Wages $9,000.00 $6,577.90 $2,422.10 Department Budget $9,125.00 $9,301.45 -‐$176.45 Totals $18,125.00 $15,879.35 $2,245.65

Budget Categories Total Cost % of

Expenses Garden $2,315 24.89% Promotions $1,311 14.09% Membership $1,105 11.88% Events $910 9.78% Training $897 9.64% Bicycles $881 9.47% Travel $752 8.08% Operations $458 4.92% Outreach $371 3.99% ICAP $146 1.57% Recycling/Waste Reduction $106 1.14% Natural Resources $51 0.55% Grand Total $9,301 100.00% Notes:

1 The Garden expenses were very high this year as it was our special project focus. The garden operations costs usually run $50-‐100. This was the cost of cedar lumber to construct the raised garden beds. 2 A majority of this expense is for promotional items to increase participation or interest in sustainable activities.

Thank you to the following students for serving as student employees in the sustainability office during the 14-‐15 academic year (listed by seniority); Sarah Kielly ‘15, Kellie Solberg‘ 15, Kerri Golinghorst ’16, Ryan Shultz ‘15, Abigail Blake Bradshaw ’15, Cassandra Woodcock ’17, Claire Blake ’18, and Andrew Peeler ’16. Ms. Kielly and Mr. Shultz served as our first student supervisors. Best wishes to our graduates. Thank you to the following students who enrolled in, and successfully completed, a 300 hour service term in the Iowa College AmeriCorps Program; Zack Stanley ’15, Jamie Herrings ’16, Brooke Chapman ’18.

garden 25% 1

Promotions

14% 2

Membership 12%

Events 10%

Training 10%

Bicycles 9%

Travel 8%

Operations 5%

Outreach 4%

ICAP 2%

Recycling/Waste

Reduction 1%

Natural Resources

0%


Miscellaneous Data Points In an effort to monitor interest in and progression of sustainability in everyday living, we monitor a mix of metrics. Following are some grids that reflect a selection of these points.

Rental Bike Usage

The bicycle rental program began in the 2011-‐2012 school year. From the start, the program was run with reclaimed bicycles left behind by students. The quality of the bicycles made managing the program difficult, as they continued to break down regularly. After several years of steady participation in the program, we invested in a new fleet of bicycles, designed to handle the wear and tear of a rental program. The program kicked off in time for school to start in 2015, and has already seen 170 uses in the fall season.

Reuse(d) Usage

The REUSE(D) store is a small space in the sustainability office that takes donations from the community and provides free, gently used, school and office supplies to members of the Wartburg community to promote consumer awareness, cost savings, and waste reduction. Below is a chart showing the number of check-‐ins. Notice that 2015 is lower than 2014 and 2013 because 2015 has yet to be completed. With that being said, the usage for the REUSE(D) store has seen steady increase in interest since its beginning.

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Annual Report FY15 - Wartburg College

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