University of Arkansas Sustainability Council Update

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Individuals can register at Ecological Communities to track household energy use.

Some 1,100 households in Northwest Arkansas have begun tracking their utility use through Ecological Communities. People are encouraged to make a New Year's energy resolution by signing up online.

The University of Arkansas is 80 percent of the way complete with its submission for the STARS rating system and it appears that we'll earn a bronze rating based on the materials collected so far.

Carbon Disclosure Project - The University of Arkansas will be among the 3,000 entities worldwide currently participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project, a global climate change reporting system utilizing a rating system. There is no charge to participate and it will allow the university to benchmark greenhouse gas data.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education meets in early February. On their agenda is a proposal to approve the campus' sustainability minor.

RecycleMania is in the practice phase and the competition is set to end April 2. We're looking to be competitive in reducing waste per person and recycling per person. The goal of recycling is to divert material that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Razorback Recycling is proposing a desk-side recycling program, to encourage more recycling on campus. Purdue University has implemented a similar program to what was proposed. A pilot program will be implemented in Walton College to test the feasibility of desk-side recycling.

The council's land use and development committee is studying ways to improve the biodiversity on campus. A subcommittee will inventory invasive species and make recommendations for appropriate plantings on campus.

Plans for restoration of the Mullins Creek stream bed are close to being finalized including an agreement of responsibility. The goal is to improve the riparian zone. Five species of fish have been identified living in the creek. A water quality monitor will be installed at Leroy Pond.

Full Circle Campus Food Pantry is set to open Feb. 2. A campuswide food drive is under way. Items may be delivered to the pantry in Bud Walton Hall.

March 31 is the institution's deadline to report greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA.

Feb. 7, is the date for the start of digging on a food waste to compost location, just north of campus on the University of Arkansas Farm. The Northwest Quad dining facility will be the first facility to have its food waste composted due to its proximity to farm.

A free electronic waste pickup will be scheduled on campus later this spring.

The next Sustainability Council meeting will be held March 29.

Contact Nick Brown, director for campus sustainability, for more information.