MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University has released a list of more than 20 goals to improve sustainability and reduce their impact on the environment.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Sustainability Director Traci Knabenshue said the campus is very similar to a small city, and they are taking this step to set an example for the future.
“We’re a big power consumer; we have a fleet of vehicles that’s not dissimilar to municipalities,” Knabenshue said. “We’re also the flagship institution in the state, so we also want to make sure we’re being good stewards with our community.”
The 24 goals put the institution on the path to make significant emission and waste reductions across the campus by 2035. Some short-term goals include reducing printing on campus by 30 percent by 2028. recycling 30 percent of construction demolition materials and complying with sustainability certifications for newly purchased computers and laptops.
“We’re really excited today to publish a list of 24 goals we’ll be accomplishing over a ten-year time period,” Knabenshue said. “Those focus on the overarching areas of reducing waste, protecting land and water, and lowering our emissions.”
By 2029, composting will be available at all dining facilities as a key push to reduce the amount of waste that is taken to landfills. The plan sets a goal of recycling 50 percent of campus waste by 2035.
“Of everything the university throws away, how much of that is diverted away from landfills?” Knabenshue said. “So, while trying to get that goal, all the other goals in that category roll into that diversion rate.”
In some cases reducing waste will also lead to cost reductions, according to Knubenshue. She went on to say these principles have been developed over the last ten years, and WVU is catching up with other like-sized institutions that have already implemented sustainability plans.
“Using less energy or reducing the number of fleet vehicles we have has both a positive environmental impact and a positive impact on our bottom line,” Knabenshue said.