The University of Pennsylvania purchases total 4.2 million dollars per year. The University purchases 75% of its copy paper from a recycled grade, however, only 5% of other office products purchased have a recycled content. Energy efficient computers represent 85-90% of present University purchases. Yet, the University purchases no energy saving fax machines or copiers. Construction materials, janitorial supplies and other products are not known to contain environmentally friendly materials. By purchasing all copy paper from a recycled grade the University can save $5,600 per year. In addition, there are 17 other recycled office products whose prices are less than or equal to those of virgin equivalents. Improving the environmental sensitivity of other products could be achieved by: designing a decision framework, contacting suppliers to become aware of products, incorporating environmental criteria into requests for proposals, and working with Penn departments to find recycled products that meet current demand.
University of Pennsylvania employees come to campus by a variety of transportation modes. In 1995, 39% were solo drivers, 16% carpooled, 19% used mass transit, 4% bicycled, and 13% walked. Over the last 5 years, carpooling, bicycling & walking by Penn Employees has increased while use of mass transit has decreased. Yearly emissions from campus transportation are 212.6 tons of hydrocarbons, 84.4 tons of nitrous oxides, 1783.9 tons of carbon monoxide, and 28,026 tons of carbon dioxide. Penn currently has a small preferential carpooling program, mass transit program, and vanpool program. Decreasing Penn's emissions could be achieved by compressing work schedules, redistributing spaces visibly to carpoolers, designing flexible parking permits, designing a mechanism to encourage car and van pooling, and promoting mass transit.
Penn's yearly electricity usage is 330 million kWh per year. Electricity, supplied by PECO, is generated 59% from nuclear sources, 16% from coal, 5% from oil and 18% from other sources. Resulting emissions are 957 tons of sulfur dioxide, 412.5 tons of nitrous oxides, and 247,500 tons of carbon dioxide. Energy management at the University is aims to reduce electricity and steam demand. Energy initiatives include retrofits and a sophisticated chiller system. Steam is managed by trap maintenance and pressure controls. Reducing overall energy usage could be improved by closing building envelopes, retrofitting lights and working with employees as building conservation contacts. Resources are provided by EPA and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Penn is the number one institutional recycler in Pennsylvania. The University recycled 27.5% of its waste in 1995. Recycling decreased 6% in comparison to the 1994, while waste landfilled increased due to decreased disposal costs. The recycling program covers mixed paper, aluminum, glass and plastic. Penn composts all yard wastes and shreds woody wastes into mulch. Penn has undertaken two waste reduction initiatives: a reusable mug program and a food waste reduction program. Efforts to minimize environmental impacts could be achieved through source reduction and waste reuse efforts. The University could maximize paper reuse, purchase materials with less packaging, reduce junk mail, create a materials exchange, reuse packaging materials, and educate employees and staff about conservation measures.
Penn consumed approximately 1 billion ft3 of water in 1995. Water consumption has stayed constant over the last five years and is inspected to increase in the future due to new construction. The University has no comprehensive water conservation policy or approach, yet makes an effort to install efficient utilities when renovating buildings. A conservation program could be developed for the University that focus on engineering practices(i.e. changes based on plumbing, water fixtures, and water supply operating procedures) and behavioral practices(changes based on people's water habits).
Penn generated approximately 1 billion ft3 of wastewater that was treated at the Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant. The University's wasterwater production represents .315% of the plant's capacity. The University has no programs to reduce wastewater volume or toxicity. Stormwater runnoff occurs due to pesticides used on athletic fields and salt used for removing ice from campus walkways in the winter.
The University generates 112,400 lbs of hazardous waste. Forty six percent of the waste is generated by the School of Arts and Sciences while about forty five percent of the waste comes from the School of Medicine. Waste is disposed 50% by energy recovery, 5% by recycling and 45% by either wastewater treatment or incineration. Waste disposal costs have escalated 20% since 1990. Of wastes reported to comply with federal and state regulations, 89% posed immediate health risks, 44% were extremely hazardous substances, and 22% posed risk in case of a fire. Penn has one professor that practices microscale chemistry techniques while the rest use more traditional approaches. Penn has no formal system to track and inventory chemicals on campus, yet is designing one to be in place by 9/1/99. To reduce hazardous waste production the University should develop formal waste minimization policies and programs. The University can appoint a representative to manage source reduction and waste minimization efforts, develop a chemical redistribution program, create an on-line hazardous waste management program(before 9/1/99) and educate employees, staff and students. In addition, the University should take advantage of microscale chemistry techniques to reduce costs of waste disposal and chemical purchases.
The University has 51 air combustion units, 14 stacks and 1 permitted incinerator on campus. The most common pollutants are carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides. However, University emissions are do not exceed levels that will qualify Penn as a Òmajor facilityÓ under the Clean Air Act. The University has an unknown amount of ozone depleting chemicals on campus. Recently the University has installed a new non ozone depleting chiller system. In order to reduce ozone depleting substances on campus, alternative air condition, refrigerator, and chiller information is presented. Information is also presented to minimize potential effects of ozone depleting chemicals.
Overall the audit presents an understanding of how the University affects the environment and how to minimize impact. However, the audit is also an opportunity to improve performance and benchmark for further improvements. This requires an initial commitment by the University to environmental issues and performance. Then through a cycle of continous environmental audits, Penn could:
Back to the top of the page1Whereas this audit is intended to be conducted independent of the Medical School, radioactive waste is not examined.