- President Ann Weaver Hart

• In 2007, Temple recycled 1,660 tons, an increase of 45% from 2004
• In March 2006, a cardboard recycling compactor was installed at the Student Center.  By December, 52 tons of cardboard and mixed paper was recycled.
• New recycling signage was designed for Anderson and Gladfelter Halls.  These signs have improved the quantity and quality of recycled materials.
• It costs $150 per ton to dispose of waste.  It costs $30 per ton to recycle.  The cost advantage is driving investment in the recycling program to add new collection capacity.

• We recently added two hybrid Ford Escapes to our existing fleet of six natural gas vehicles and four electric vehicles
• A natural gas pump was installed for refueling compressed natural gas
• The installation of 13 diesel oxidation catalysts on the diesel fleet helps to clean the vehicle exhaust of harmful particles.  
• Three new boilers are being installed in the Steam Plant

• We match plants to site conditions to reduce the need for supplemental inputs of water, labor and landscape products

• Invasive exotic plants which produce seeds that move off campus and become problematic weeds in the surrounding neighborhoods have been eliminated from our planting list

• Automatic irrigation systems have been installed at various locations on campus.  An irrigated landscaped area requires fewer chemical inputs.  

• Annual flower displays need chemical fertilizer to achieve maximum growth in a single season.  Switching to a liquid compost tea or other organic product is being considered as an alternative. 

• Trees that have been planted can moderate the effects of the sun on adjacent buildings, thereby lessening the summer cooling costs

• Native plants are used to attract a diversity of songbird species and maintain a sizeable population of squirrels contributing to a familiar and comforting outdoor environment, especially for those students accustomed to suburban or rural living

• Temple University's Fact Book is issued electronically and available on our website
• Capital expenditure requests are distributed electronically
• Construction, bid drawings and specifications are issued on a DVD for all large projects.  The Medical School used DVD's to issue construction drawings to contractors, saving 23,000 pounds of paper or the equivalent of almost 200 trees
• Storm water management is required in all of our new projects.  We are reviewing the possibility for a campus wide storm water management plan
• An analysis of permeable versus non-permeable surfaces has been performed for the Main Campus.  This study gives us a better understanding of our grounds facilities
• We are researching alternative roofing materials that will reduce the solar heat effect on our buildings and infrastructure
• Our guide specifications identify low VOC limits in paints, sealants and carpet systems
• We have specified the use of a "heat recovery" wheel in the new School of Medicine
• We are members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) 

OUR DESIGN STANDARDS INCLUDE:

• Occupancy sensors are required for all renovations
• Direct Digital Controls (DDC) are required for all mechanical system installations or upgrades
• All DDC controls must be tied into the campus energy management system
• The standards are distributed electronically to all professional design firms
• Many sustainable and energy-conserving measures for both new construction and renovations
• Electronic ballasts and fixtures
• Non-CFC (no chlorofluorocarbons) building equipment
• Recycled content of building materials
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals as participants of project teams
• Energy star rated appliances

• Facilities Management was the first department to participate in Temple's paperless pilot programs, Workflow and I-Greentree.  Since inception, we processed over 5200 online purchase requisitions and over 290 online employee hiring requisitions