Facilities & Operations The UST Facilities Department underwent its largest energy-saving project in July 2014 to replace all the existing 175-watt metal halide bulbs in the Moran Center Parking Garage and Young Hall parking garage with 40-watt LED lights that use less energy. This project saves the campus over $40,000 per year on average. After the success of the Moran lighting project, the Facilities & Operations office embarked on an LED lighting retrofit project that will save thousands of dollars in electricity costs and reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions. Upcoming lighting projects include replacing lights in Link-Lee Mansion, Guinan Hall and outdoor fixtures. Other energy conservation projects include a high albedo—or reflection factor—and heat resistant roof installation on Young Hall to reduce energy used for heating and cooling. To reduce plastic waste and encourage bottle reuse, a water bottle refill station was installed in Jerabeck Center. A “Water Logic” campus irrigation system saves water by adjusting for local rainfall. Since installation, the system has reduced water use by 32% and saved more than 12 million gallons of water.  This reduction in water usage has also saved the University more than $70,000 in utility expenses.   Engagement Our campus has several student clubs, including Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students and the American Chemical Society, that are involved in sustainability initiatives around campus. These organizations also offer tips and resources to students about reducing their carbon footprint. Learn more about joining campus clubs and organizations.  Japhet Creek Conservancy is devoted to the restoration of the Japhet Creek Nature Park and to promote low impact outdoor recreation, conservation, and opportunities that are environmentally and socially responsible. UST is a strong partner of this effort and regularly provides student volunteers through field learning sessions and also has faculty involvement in long-range planning of the park. Contact Dr. Maury Harris, professor of Environmental Science and Studies, for more information on volunteering. At UST, we use Earth Day as an opportunity to inform students, faculty and staff about different ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint and protect the environment. Weeklong activities include the annual Eco-Fair, movie showings, lectures and giveaways. Stay tuned for more info on the next Earth Week in April. One of the most effective ways of reducing environmental impact is making your waste stream sustainable. At UST, we are continuously seeking ways to reduce the amount of materials we consume and increase the amount of campus waste that is recycled. Our efforts include conducting a campus-wide waste audit to understand our waste stream, expanding recycling locations around campus, and addressing paper usage.