UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS NET IMPACT CHAPTER
Led by Greg Buzzell, Eva Dee Owens, Aaron James, and Zach Robin
Ross Net Impact Team
The Ross Net Impact chapter, led by Greg Buzzell, Eva Dee Owens, Aaron James, and Zach Robin, took on a campus greening project last year designed to have an impact on the campus long after they graduate. First, they led the charge to make all food scraps, utensils, cups, plates and bowls purchased at the Ross Cafeteria 100% compostable—diverting up to 50% of the waste that would have otherwise gone to a landfill. The second part of the greening project was to institute green building standards that will reduce the environmental footprint of all new building construction and major renovations going forward. In addition, they advocated for a permanent director of sustainability to be hired at the University to improve campus sustainability for years to come.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, KENAN FLAGLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS NET IMPACT CHAPTER
Led by Emily Martin
KFBS Greening Committee Leaders
The KFBS Greening Committee attacked the challenge of institutionalizing sustainability into daily life at KFBS. They focused on three areas: education, action, and outreach. The team worked to educate their classmates on recycling, energy conservation, paper use, and events-related waste. They then walked the talk by hosting green events, installing “turn off the lights” stickers in study rooms, and implementing default double-sided printing. Finally, the team worked with the administration and the central departments of the university to support green events practices, energy conservation, and sustainability benchmarking. The team's work resulted in thousands of dollars in savings on paper, increased electricity conservation, and an educational initiative focused on reducing environmental impacts on campus that will be integrated into new student orientation.
Employees at Yes! Communities, which consists of 18,571 manufactured homes in 67 communities across the US, began a venture to reduce utility costs and environmental impacts in its office and manufactured home communities. The team started by greening their offices with projects focused on waste reduction, energy conservation and The Green Commute to Work Challenge. The Commuter Challenge engaged 63% of their office and encouraged over 9,200 miles by alternative methods of transportation. Through a new paperless billing system, the company has saved 240,000 pieces of paper. The team then brought these practices to their communities through green events and education, which includes a new resident “move in kit” with several CFLs, faucet aerators, and simple tips to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Through these successful efforts, the team drastically increased awareness of sustainability actions in mobile home communities and generated over $340,000 in savings on utilities.
At Mohawk, Melissa Stevens and Michelle Carpenter led an environmental program to review all areas of the manufacturing process. The team developed and proposed several strategies, which included: participation in the Forest Stewardship Council, maximization of recycled fiber use, waste water reduction, and offsetting fleet mileage. These efforts helped place Mohawk as the lowest emitter of greenhouse gases in North America within its manufacturing category in a recent industry benchmarking study.
HONORABLE MENTION: Penn State University, Smeal College of Business
Led by Matthew Holtry, Kyle Goldschmidt, and Dr. Terry Harrison
The Smeal team developed a “Sustainability Scorecard” system, which the University procurement services could use to assess potential products. The “Sustainability Scorecard” led procurement services to request the Net Impact Chapter's consulting services for future product procurement on items such as carpeting, and they are currently developing a comprehensive "sustainable procurement" policy for the University.
HONORABLE MENTION: Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Business
Led by Katherine Chang
Environmental Sustainabilty Business Club Leaders
The Kellogg team focused on greening current lifestyles and helping students incorporate sustainability into their future careers. The team accomplished impressive results by developing the Kellogg Green Living Guide Presentation and Kellogg Green Week while engaging in waste reduction efforts with facilities, professors, and career services offices.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Jonathan Feinstein, Jessica Lommel, and Deanna Meyler at imc2
The imc² Commuter Challenge is pretty simple: ask employees to take one alternative commute a week – telecommute, carpool, ride public transit, bike, or walk. Participating employees log on to a government-created website (www.tryparkingit.com) and report how they get to and from work. One participant per week receives a $20 gift certificate, the team is updated on their collective impact, and awareness of commuting options is spread across the company.
Since the Challenge was issued on Earth Day in April, the team has saved more than 28,000 pounds of CO2 (over 12 tons). The program has been so successful that the North Texas Clean Air Coalition modeled a regional challenge after it. To date, this larger effort has 364 participating employers who have combined to save 433,000 road miles (equivalent to 17 trips around the planet) and 191 tons of CO2.
