Sierra Magazine, a bi-monthly publication of the environmental organization Sierra Club, recently named Drexel 84th on its 2010 list of “Cool Schools.” The “Cool Schools” survey was Sierra’s way of determining the greenest college campuses in the United States.

Highlights from the University’s current sustainability efforts include:

• 30 percent of Drexel’s electricity is generated by wind power
• 90 percent of the University’s light fixtures are energy-efficient
• 78 percent of paper used on campus is at least 30 percent postconsumer recycled content
• Drexel’s shuttle busses provide transportation to students across three campuses, use biodiesel fuel with a 20 percent soy blend and transported 343,634 passengers in 2009.
• 30 percent of campus waste is diverted from landfills
• More than 1,802,087 pounds of CO2 is avoided annually through reductions in electric consumption utilizing building automation systems and upgrades to building equipment
• Reduced flow fixtures in all residence halls and restroom facilities across campus reduced water consumption by more than 47 percent

Drexel is committed to integrating sustainability with academics as 40 percent of academic departments offer environmental- and sustainability-related classes. The University also offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorial degrees in environmental engineering and environmental sciences, including a master of public health in environmental health, master’s and doctorial degrees in environmental policy and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Environmental Studies.

The Constantine Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, under construction at 33rd and Chestnut Streets, will be the University’s first LEED-certified building when it opens in 2011. All new construction projects on campus are certified using Green Globes, an environmental design and management tool.

Sierra Magazine ranked 162 schools’ campuses on 10 criteria including purchasing, academics, food and administration. The rankings were based on survey responses completed by each institution and reviewed and examined by impartial evaluators. Other schools ranked in the Philadelphia region include the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.

For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201009/coolschools/.

Source: Drexel Daily Digest

New trash bin has been seen in the Drexel Main Building, this unit very nicely has recycling, paper, and trash right next to each other!  Drexel’s recycling program is not a single stream system which means that it must be split this way and having three bins in each room does not work well. This new unit helps solve some of the problems associated with having multiple bins and people not wanting to walk across the room to recycle when the trash bin is so close.  Good job Drexel Green.

#9 Pennsylvania

http://www.cnbc.com/id/31611489?slide=3

Beauty. Performance. Sustainability

Sustainable Clothting startup Nau.inc has long been a supplier of high quality eco friendly activewear. They are also a supplier of many very interesting  and forward thinking ideas about corporations and the environment and what we as consumers can do to lead towards a more sustainable economy.

Main web site->www.nau.com

Read the whole story and plan

Policies for building, energy, food, investment, procurement, and transportation; curriculum; environmental activism; waste management; and overall commitment to sustainability.

Read through this report and be critical of what has been stated but also think about how much has been done over the last year that you may not have known about.

Every change at Drexel has been influenced through the students’ efforts.  Just think about everything that we can still accomplish.

Questionnaire PDF: drexeluniversity_coolschools20091

Cool Schools Homepage Link

Drexel University’s Sierra Club took 35 undergraduate and graduate students to the Power Shift 2009 Conference in Washington, D.C., from which they brought back recommendations on making Drexel a more environmentally friendly campus.

The last day of the conference was Lobby Day, where 10 Drexel students had the opportunity to meet their state legislators and learn to lobby for green legislation.

Our next step is to create a report of our suggestions that will be distributed throughout the University.

The latest in advertising from Drexel Sierra for Valentines Day.  Reducing the use of natural resources through population control.

Drexel Sierra Club has obtained the first batch of our brand new t-shirts!  This is a very large step for our club; these shirts give a look and a more official look to our growing organization.  These shirts will be worn at all possible events and in every day fashion.  Join our club and be sure not to miss out on the next batch of these great t-shirts.