1. Did you know? …that there are known records of over 24,000 trees and woody shrubs on campus… In 2010, Purdue was named “Tree Campus USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/buildings_grounds/trees/website/index.html
2. Did you know? …that a voluntary hour of powering down non-essential equipment on campus resulted in a noticeable decrease in power consumption… …individual actions have an impact! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability/energy.htm
3. Did you know? …that Purdue students, staff and faculty can use the City Bus system for free… City Bus has several loops around campus, and also connects to the greater Lafayette area with 16 hybrid buses in its fleet. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
6. Soy-based hydraulic oil used in elevators on campusFor more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
7. Did you know? …that a student group was responsible for bringing a green roof to campus… In 2009, Boiler Green Initiative (BGI) installed a green roof on Schleman Hall. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainabilityorwww.boilergreen.com
8. Did you know? … that Purdue implemented a Green Cleaning program in August 2009… The program improves indoor air quality by not using conventional chemicals and also reduces the amount of chemicals released into wastewater. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
9. Did you know? …that Purdue has constructed its first two LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings… The Roger B. Gatewood Wing of the Mechanical Engineering building is LEED Gold certified. Marriott Hall is awaiting official certification. There are 7 other campus buildings currently in design that will pursue green building certification. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
10. Did you know? …that University Residences increased recycling from 500 tons in 08-09 to 710 tons in 09-10… …which is a 43% increase! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
11. Did you know? …that Purdue participates in a friendly nationwide recycling challenge… Out of 362 colleges, Purdue ranked 64th... … and we beat IU (210th)! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/buildings_grounds/recyclemania/
12. Did you know? …that leftover food from the dining halls is sent to West Lafayette Wastewater Treatment Plant to create electricity for the plant… In the first full year of operation 178 tons of food waste helped power the plant!!! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
13. Did you know? …that Purdue has a diverse fleet of alternative vehicles…. 75% Flex fuel cars 25% Hybrid cars Plus two (2) smart cars! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/transportation
14. Did you know? …that by installing flow reduction devices in restroom facilities, water consumption was reduced by up to 1 gallon per flush... … This reduced sanitary waste by more than 2 million gallons in the first six months (a $11,000 utility savings!) . For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
15. Did you know? …that Wade Utility Plant avoids emitting 43,000 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere annually due to the fact that it is a combined heat and power facility. You can also see the energy outputs in real time online! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/utilityplant/plantoperation.htm
16. Did you know? …that due to a variety of successful programs our recycling rate on campus has increased from 48% to 65% in the past year… Additionally Purdue reduced the amount going to landfill by 4.6% (225 tons) even though we have more people on campus now. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
17.
18. I pledge to unplug all appliances I don't need.
19. I pledge to consider which appliances are most needed.
20. I pledge to use the stairs instead of the elevator when it is convenient.
21. I pledge to encourage all my peers to take this Pledge!Sign-up to take the pledge at: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
22. Did you know? … that frying oil from campus dining facilities is sold to produce biodiesel. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
23. Did you know? …that 59% of Purdue’s hazardous waste is used as fuel in a local cement manufacturing facility… The majority of the waste is from teaching and research labs on campus. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
24. Did you know? …that Purdue has recycled approximately 1,600 tons this year! That is equal to: 142 male African elephants…. Or nine blue whales… For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/buildings_grounds/recycling/
25. Did you know? …that Purdue is Green YEAR ROUND… In April 2010, the first Sustainability Strategic Plan was developed. To access the Strategic Plan: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
26. Did you know? …that IT@P recently implemented printing release stations that will decrease paper usage by 2 million sheets a year… … which is the equivalent to about 240 trees! For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
27. Did you know? … that Purdue is educating others to show how simple actions can make a difference. Closing chemical fume hoods in labs saves both energy and money. Each energy sticker is unique to a specific fume hood. This is a fume hood in Bindley Bioscience Center. For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
28. Did you know? … that overflow from the stadium parking lot and surrounding areas goes into an infiltration basin below the football practice fields… … allows 300,000 gallons to be diverted away from the sewers during major rain events… For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
29. Did you know? …that Purdue is looking at the efficiency of older buildings on campus to see what can be improved upon for energy, heat and cooling… Already have completed retro-commissioning in over 3.5 million ft2 For more information: http://www.purdue.edu/sustainability
30. Did you know? …that Purdue is using 684,000 less plastic bags this year… Last year Housing and Food Services spent $9,400 on single use plastic bags. This year all residents are provided with a reusable bag and drink container.