California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology

The Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) Program offers a coherent program of education and research spanning the large scales of global climate studies to the local scales of engineering solutions to environmental problems such as toxic waste remediation. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science and engineering, the ESE Program unites scientists from Caltech's Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences in studies of the functioning and coupling of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. 

In light of our dedication to building a sustainable campus, as of December 2007 we have made notable "Green" improvements in many departments campus-wide.

Procurement:

Among the "Green" items we have recently purchased are:

• 17 Energy Star copiers leased from Ricoh
• 12 GE Energy Star dishwashers purchased for Campus Life
• 26 LCD TVs purchased for the Athenaeum

 Facilities:Custodial changes:

We have established a "Green" cleaning program campus wide, and also instituted an incandescent-light-replacement program. Compact fluorescent bulbs are now being used throughout campus.

Recycling programs:

We have established an award-winning campus recycling program that also offers recycling support for the local community. Caltech Safety sponsors an e-waste round-up every first Wednesday of the month where campus staff can bring in their electronics to be properly and safely recycled.  Safety also maintains battery recycle drop-off points at all research stockrooms.

Grounds policies:

We have added water meters to all backflow devices, and have established an irrigation-watering benchmark for the campus. In addition we have allowed lawns to go dormant and have reduced lawn renovations, both conserving resources and reducing turf maintenance costs. The recently instituted campus mulching program has also been successful in diverting landscape waste that was previously sent to the landfill.

Utilities upgrades:

• 2002—We installed a micro turbine in IMSS to supply heating and power.
• 2003—A new 12.5 MW plant increased campus production capacity by more than 100% and reduced total emissions by almost 15%. This won a national award from DOE and EPA for its improved efficiency and emissions reductions.
• 2005/06—We upgraded lighting in 14 buildings to energy-efficient, T8 florescent lighting.
• Current—We are in the final phase of testing of an experimental ultra-low nox burner on our number 1 boiler. Also we are in the midst of installing a 200 KW facility on the Holliston Structure, which should be operational May 2008. Ongoing is our program to replace all old motors (as they fail) with new, high-efficiency motors.

Shops improvements:

We use low- or zero-VOC coatings, and purchase wood materials from Green Vendors that support the SFI (sustainable forest initiative and forest stewardship council). The carpentry shop currently recycles cardboard, paper, plastics, and solvents; and future efforts are working towards adding wood and MDF products to that list.

Currently we are in the process of installing waterless urinals in Facilities, in order to test various brands, maintenance procedures, and customer acceptance levels. Meanwhile we continue to replace old flush valves with auto-flush valves as we replace units.

We are deliberately limiting the purchase of gasoline powered carts; almost all current campus carts (125 out of 129) are now electric. In addition we currently have one propane-powered forklift in operation, and in 2007 purchased a hybrid chauffeur vehicle.

As roofs are rehabilitated, they are being covered with a reflective white coating to reflect heat from sunlight.

Projects currently under investigation involve re-funding the active-occupancy sensor program tested a few years ago, and the use of LED lights for other than emergency exit lighting.

Transportation initiatives:

In addition to establishing ride-share, carpool, and vanpool options for the campus (including setting aside parking spaces for and offering reduced parking rates to carpoolers and vanpoolers), we have committed to buying hybrid vehicles for our campus fleet.

Housing:

Caltech Housing was featured in the November 2006 Pasadena Water and Power newsletter for our green efforts and will be highlighted again in the July 2007 edition. We also received a plaque from Pasadena Water and Power recognizing our green efforts in April of 2007.

Among the improvements we have implemented in recent years:
 

• All of our off-campus properties (September 2006) and all of the Catalina properties (September 2007) have been switched to 100% green power provided by the City of Pasadena. Now, 100% of our portfolio uses green power.
• All washing machines (both coin-op and single family home) have been converted to high-efficiency front-loading models, reducing electricity and water consumption. These models also require less soap to clean a load of laundry, resulting in cleaner waste water. (As a side note, high efficiency washers also extend the life of clothes being washed.)
• To date we have switched 400 toilets to dual-flush models and are working to switch our shower and faucet heads to low-flow models, resulting in less water use. We are also installing tank-less water heaters (where necessary and appropriate). These are all ongoing improvement projects.
• Hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles will be purchased as replacements when the existing housing department vehicles reach the end of their life cycles; we have already purchased one Hybrid SUV.
• Where appropriate, we have switched to CF bulbs and motion-detecting lights. This is an ongoing project and future modifications are in order.
• Mirror decals and light switch stickers have been placed in our units to remind our tenants to conserve water and electricity when possible. We also offer our tenants the use of "Green" moving and packing companies.
• We are currently re-landscaping our properties with drought resistant and sustainable plants.

In addition to these current improvements, we are also actively investigating:

• The economic feasibility of issuing Smart Strips instead of standard power strips to incoming students. These will save passive energy from being wasted and reduce energy costs.
• The possibility of using solar power for the Catalina buildings and other single-family homes.
• The feasibility of composting at our single-family homes. (Along with Carol Carmichael. We will test this idea at 400 Hill due to the availability of composting material.)
• The use of a student-built, bio-fuel vehicle, which will require no gasoline.

In light of this progress and recognition, we will be creating a 'sample home' with the City of Pasadena to demonstrate our conservation techniques.

Dining Services

Caltech Dining Services turned its attention to minimizing their carbon footprint shortly after the arrival of Peter Daily as the new Senior Director. As sustainable products were not available through local vendors, initially "Green" products were ordered through internet sources. Sysco of Los Angeles has since begun to sell these products to Caltech, as well as to other local establishments. Caltech Dining Services was the leader in this effort.

Following is a list of specific Sustainability Practices which Caltech Dining Services (CDS) has enacted:

• Styrofoam to-go containers have been replaced with containers made of a 96% natural fiber, water, and biodegradable mixture. The same material is used in the "paper" plates which replaced the plastic disposable plates.
• Clear plastic to-go containers have been replaced with 100% compostable corn-based containers.
• Standard paper napkins have been replaced with non-bleached, recycled paper napkins.
• The Convenience Store’s plastic bags have been replaced with 100% compostable corn-based bags.
• Paper and foam soda cups have been replaced with compostable, corn-based cups.
• Coffee cups and soup containers are made from 100% biodegradable paper. Lids for these containers are 100% biodegradable corn-based.
• Coffee insulators (“java jackets”) are produced from 100% biodegradable sugar cane.
• Plastic cutlery has been replaced with 100% biodegradable potato-composite cutlery with a 200 degree temperature tolerance.
• Plastic trash bags have been replaced with 100% biodegradable, corn-based garbage bags.
• Currently trans-fat free fry oil is purchased in bags (instead of the standard plastic tubs). Plans are in place to make a similar change with other bulk items, such as salad dressing.
• Another strategy employed by Caltech Dining Services is selling re-usable coffee mugs. These mugs can be refilled at a discounted price to encourage customers to use a washable mug instead of non-sustainable cups.

Caltech Dining Service’s next major project is to find, or compel the opening of, a commercial compost facility. With such a large amount of compostable materials, it is necessary to find a place to put these materials so they can biodegrade. (It is important to note, all of these items will biodegrade in any land-fill, but they will compost more quickly--most products in 60 days--in a commercial facility.)