I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
The quote above provides a powerful viewpoint which relates to the work we must all undertake to promote an environmentally sustainable society. Fitchburg State is making efforts to curb our climate causing emissions and are striving to meet the sustainability goals outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order No. 484 which charges state universities and agencies to lessen their environmental impact and to educate the public through the Leading-By-Example program, for which the university was awarded in December 2020 in the higher education category. We look forward to continuing to the meet the charge set forth by the state as we draft our own vision for sustainability at Fitchburg State. Our sustainability goals:
- A campus culture which values and takes pride in sustainable practices. This means that sustainability initiatives are publicized, included in the curriculum, and upheld in the core values of the University. Educational materials are available to students, staff, and faculty who seek to develop habits which reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainability.
- Increase the proportion of waste that is recycled on campus to exceed the national average of approximately 33%.
- Install systems and building appliances which conserve electricity, energy, and water. This means that everything from a building’s HVAC system to the refrigerator in the staff break room should be energy/fuel/water efficient.
- Address greenhouse gas emissions associated with commuter vehicles by promoting and improving access to mass transit, installing electrical vehicle charging stations, in addition to other initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of commuters.
- A carbon-neutral campus in which all electricity and heating fuels are derived from sustainable (non-fossil fuel) sources. Necessary emissions would be offset through contributions toward carbon offsets (Renewable Energy Credits, for example).
Achieving sustainability cannot be done solely through building projects and renovations, but requires active participation from all members of our campus community. Fitchburg State is taking charge with: renovations designed to improve energy efficiency, greener construction projects, and spreading the word with student and staff involvement. Please see our events page and links (below) for ways to engage. If you have an interest in sustainability, and have a suggestion or comment, we value input and would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
Our Carbon Footprint
The campus is becoming more energy efficient thanks to building modernization efforts and onsite electricity generation. The CO2 emitted by the university in fiscal year 2024 totaled 11,310 metric tons. Since 2007, we have decreased our CO2 footprint by approximately 7,000 metric tons, or 39%.Thus, the campus is becoming more carbon efficient thanks to building modernization efforts as well as carbon reductions in electricity generation.
Heating
Did you know that the iconic smokestack on our campus is for a series of boilers which burn natural gas to provide heat for campus? The heated water produces steam which is sent to campus buildings through underground pipes to be used as a heating source during cold weather.
In September of 2018, the university switched from fuel oil-burning boilers to ones that use natural gas. This switch allows the campus to avoid burning some 80,000 gallons of fuel oil and will reduce our carbon footprint by roughly 500 tons of CO2/yr. While an important milestone, fully sustainable fuels, such as biogas from anaerobic digesters should be sought after to replace fossil sourced natural gas. Alternatively, switching to electric heat pumps could help in realizing our fully sustainable vision
Fitchburg State already utilizes alternative, renewable sources of building heat. For example, the Exercise and Sports Science Building is temperature controlled by a geothermal heat pump which makes use of the stable temperatures underground to cool the building in the summer and heat it in the winter. Expanding the use of such systems while conserving heat with better insulated building envelopes will play an important role in meeting our emissions reduction targets.
Electricity
The university relies mostly on state and regional efforts to “green the grid” in order to reduce our carbon footprint associated with electricity use. Fortunately, New England ranks among the most carbon efficient regions of the grid in the U.S., but we look toward a continuation of carbon reductions as more renewable electricity generation comes online. Reducing the amount of electricity we consume (or waste) is a priority at Fitchburg State and we are implemented a host of projects aimed at just that:
- Two buildings have wiring upgrades to reduce waste from AC to DC conversions
- Campus-wide building efficiency upgrades (HVAC, lighting, envelope/window upgrades)
- Two LEED certified silver buildings in 2016 and 2017
As far as onsite renewable energy generation goes, Fitchburg State took early strides by installing rooftop photovoltaic panels (PVs) with a combined 89k@ capacity in 2011.
During the winter of 2024, the university started installing a 350kW capacity system on the roof of the Recreation Center. This system will be fully installed in the Spring of 2025. The system will provide green electricity for the campus and the Recreation Center. Fitchburg State's plan for sustainability includes an increase of onsite electricity generation via the installation of both rooftop and parking canopy PV systems throughout campus.
Transportation
As a 50% commuter campus, the university is faced with a challenge in addressing emissions from vehicles. The vast majority of faculty, staff, and students commute alone based on a 2018 survey. We encourage the community to check out carpools, mass transit, or a carbon-free means of getting to campus. Use of carpools and mass transit has and will continue to help reduce emissions and traffic to campus.
In order to promote reduced carbon commuting, the campus installed two EV charging stations and two carpool parking spots behind the Conlon Fine Arts Building in 2020.
Transit Authority Feedback Solicitation
Fitchburg State University is soliciting feedback on behalf of our local transit authorities (MART/MBTA) regarding transit improvements on and off campus. Please use this Google form to share your comments, concerns or suggestions.
Waste
Did you know that a bag of garbage bound for a landfill costs the University three times more to dispose of than a bag of recyclables? The value of the raw materials in recyclables are a resource for recycling facilities meaning that they charge less to haul it away. So do you know what is recyclable and what is not? Here’s the single-stream recycling guide. Data show that the percentage of campus waste that is recycled is chronically low (less than 10% of waste is recycled!).
The university diverts many other forms of waste into the recyclable market: electronics, lightbulbs, batteries, refrigerators, metal waste, and mattresses (200 per year). However, recycling collected from campus bins is notoriously contaminated by food waste or other trash that contaminates an entire recycling bin. The university is beginning to address the low recycling rate for traditional materials by improving signage, increasing the number of bins in both facilities, residence halls, and in outdoor areas with the goal of increasing the traditional recycling rate from 10 to 30%.
Remember: plastic bags and containers with food waste cannot be recycled. Please make sure plastic and metal containers are empty of food or drink before putting them in the recycling bin!
On the bright side, Fitchburg State has a commendable record of composting both landscaping waste and food scraps from the dining hall(which are taken to a local pig farm). Composting diverts more than one quarter of the university’s waste out of landfills.
Check out images of our food waste removal and tracking resources.
Water Use
When you add up the water that each individual on campus uses, it adds up to a lot. The cost also adds up – leaving the university with an annual water bill of over $150,000. Please be conscious of your water use by limiting the length of your showers, sink use, etc. The campus is installing lots of low-flow fixtures and re-fillable water bottle stations on campus to aid in the effort. Please make use of the refillable water bottle stations because it reduces waste and environmental costs associated with bottled water. Bottled water use on campus has gone down by 50% based on data from vending machines thanks to this effort.
Updated plumbing work (replacing faucets, toilets, etc.) in the summer of 2019 made a huge impact on water conservation – saving 3 million gallons between 2017 and 2019. In 2017, most students began using tray free dining, saving on water use. This upgrade allows dishes to be washed without trays (see picture, above) which reduces the volume of items washed while saving on food waste generated from instances of "eyes bigger than your stomach" that comes with using trays.
Where You Come In
We need you to join our efforts. In a 2018 campus survey, 82% of respondents stated that it was important or very important for Fitchburg State to reduce its carbon footprint. It will take a collective will and collective action to meet our sustainability goals. So let us know what you’d like to see done on campus.
Sustainability on Campus
Single Stream Recycling at Fitchburg State University began in January 2008. Since the start of the program, more than 689 tons of post-consumer waste has been diverted from landfills! This is about 25% of campus trash output. This effort helps reduce our carbon footprint.
Single stream recycling is truly recycling made simple. All types of recyclable material can be deposited into a single blue bin. These bins are placed all around campus. Every classroom, office, and lounge now has a smaller blue recycling bin and a trash receptacle. Residence halls received their bins in the fall of 2008. Different style event barrels for recycling are used at outside events.
To encourage use, informative posters are placed at strategic locations around campus to remind people what is recyclable (Single Stream Recycling guide (PDF)). Many materials are recyclable but some, including Styrofoam and any containers with food waste, are not.
Once the mixed materials are in the can, university maintainers dump the contents of the entire small bin into larger hauling totes. These totes are emptied by a lifting truck into a large compactor.
The campus carbon footprint and trash disposal expense are reduced through this process. Fewer trucks need to come on campus to haul waste away. Until December 2007, dumpsters at each building were emptied daily. Now, with recycling and trash compacting, a truck empties the centralized trash compactors weekly and the recycling compactor once every two weeks.
Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor
The pilot installation of a Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor was completed in Summer 2009. The compactor is located on North Street outside the Bistro. The Big Belly is a trash bin with a solar-powered compactor. The 32-gallon Big Belly holds 150 to 200 gallons of trash and automatically compacts the trash when the bin is full. There is also an attached unit for collection of recyclables (including cans, bottles, paper, and plastic). The introduction of the Big Belly helps Fitchburg State make a small step toward reducing its carbon footprint by requiring fewer trash pick-ups by the Grounds Staff, reducing visits from several times daily to once or twice a week and resulting in less gasoline emissions. Staff attention has also been redirected to other critical activities!
As the University continues to improve campus facilities and infrastructure, the renovations being made include strategies that improve energy efficiency and sustainability. Sustainable solutions are incorporated into the improvements occurring all around campus. From simple solutions, such as switching to:
- Low flow automatic faucets
- Dual flush toilets
- Occupancy sensors for lighting
...to major improvements, such as:
- Replacing 30 year old heating
- Ventilation
- Air conditioning
- Controls systems
- Comprehensive approaches that include LEED certifications
Renewable Energy
The first renewable energy installation was completed in 2011 with the addition of solar panels at the Sanders Administration and Anthony Student Service Buildings. The systems combine to produce clean power for the buildings and include a monitoring system that allows members of the campus community to view ongoing performance and energy production. 348 panels were used for a combined 89kw system, generating more than 109,000kwh annually… or enough to power 10 homes for year!
In addition to the solar energy system, the University also installed a geo-thermal heating and cooling system at 155 North Street, which is home to the Exercise and Sports Science department. The system relies on a stable ground temperature, drawn into the building through water circulated through a 1000-foot deep well. The system uses equipment that can take advantage of the difference between the water and outside air temperatures. This process produces heating and cooling without the need to burn fossil fuels.
Energy Use Monitoring
Targeting State facilities, more than $10 million was invested by the State through the use of ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds. This investment was intended to help facilities, including the Fitchburg State University campus, monitor energy use. The goal is to identify opportunities for conservation and improved energy efficiency. This system provides near real-time information on energy use by each building on campus to managers on the campus. The information is used to identify short-term issues with equipment performance and operation, as well as provide data necessary to prioritize efficiency projects. Completed in 2011, the system monitors electric, natural gas, and steam use in 40 buildings on campus.
Energy Efficient Lighting
Starting with a pilot project that converted 200 fixtures to LED lighting at Hammond Hall, the University is making the transition to one of the most energy efficient lighting options available. LED lights are longer lasting (up to 5 years) and more energy efficient than both incandescent and fluorescent. LED light is whiter and brighter, resulting in better visibility. Other light fixtures around campus are being converted to LED fixtures, such as the exterior wall-pack lights at Aubuchon Hall and the under-canopy lights at Sanders Administration.
Resources
The Sustainability Advisory Committee sustainability@fitchburgstate.edu is charged with creating institutional structures to guide and develop Fitchburg State University's plan to achieve climate neutrality. Members include students, staff, and faculty.
- Dr. Jannette McMenamy
Interim Dean, School of Business and Technology and School of Health and Natural Sciences - JD Head, jhead2@fitchburgstate.edu
Capital Planning and Maintenance
Phone: 978.665.4614 - Reid Parsons, rparson4@fitchburgstate.edu
Earth and Geographic Sciences
Phone: 978.665.3613 - Chris Picone, cpicone@fitchburgstate.edu
Chemistry and Biology
Phone: 978.665.3079 - Daniel Welsh, dwelsh3@fitchburgstate.edu
Biology/Chemistry
Phone: 978.665.3510