Water Refill Stations

• ASI Student Government funded a campus-wide project to install 25 water bottle filling stations across campus.
• There are nine within ASI-managed facilities: seven in the Recreation Center and two in the University Union.

Plumbing

• All existing plumbing fixtures (i.e., toilets, urinals, sinks) are low flow.
• The Recreation Center showers have push button starters that release one gallon of water for each push.

Heating and Cooling

• Use of Siemens Control System in the University Union and Recreation Center HVAC system to conserve heating and cooling using Variable Frequency Drives.
  • Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor based on need. The Recreation Center and University Union air handlers have VFD’s to conserve energy daily.
• The Cal Poly Recreation Center uses an Indirect/Direct Evaporative Cooling (IDEC) system that provides all of the cooling.
• The University Union installed a new facility membrane roof to reflect solar radiation and conserve energy.

Electrical and Lighting

• The University Union Plaza and Doerr Family Field have automated and programmable outdoor lights.
• The Recreation Center and University Union Plaza have solar powered umbrellas with charging hubs for electronic devices.
• Recreation Center
  • Shaded glazing that floods the interior with natural light and helps regulate internal temperatures.
  • Main, North, South and Rec Gym retrofitted with LED lights.
• University Union
  • Solar panels will be installed on UU rooftops in 2021.
  • LED motion sensitive lights installed in 2018 within the UU hallways and ASI Craft Center. This technology is saving 11,000 watts annually with an anticipated savings of $10,000.
  • Installation of LED string and strip lights in 2019 over the UU Breezeway.

 Custodial

• ASI’s green cleaning program reduces the ecological impact of its products by reducing its overall cleaning chemical use and by purchasing products whose environmental impacts have been tested and proven to be minimal by Green Seal™ Standard 37.
  • ASI offers paper towel dispensers and hand dryers that have less harmful life cycle impacts than traditional folded paper towels and dispensers.
  • Usage of recycled content trash bags wherever possible.
  • Janitorial staff members are trained to reduce the number of trash liners used by emptying trash into larger bins without replacing liners, whenever possible.
  • Use of microfiber cleaning towels and mops, which creatae a greater electrical charge to attract dirt.

Landscaping, Irrigation, Wastewater

• 2015 Drought:
  • Poly Escapes Climbing Park: Replaced grass with drought resistant plants.
  • Eliminated the watering of the hillsides at the Cal Poly Sports Complex, saving 23 acre-feet in the 2015-2016 academic year.
  • Promoted the “Every Drop Counts” water conservation campaign in ASI facilities.
• Recreation Center has a green roof that provides a rainwater buffer, purifies the air, reduces the ambient temperature, regulates the indoor temperature, saves energy and encourages biodiversity.
• Pressure washing is limited to once per quarter or needs based to conserve water. All water used to pressure wash concrete is diverted from storm drains to sewer drains.
• Turf Field Installation
  • Upper Sports Complex (2009): 325,000 square feet of synthetic turf installed to replace existing grass fields.
  • Doerr Family Field (2018): 100,000 square feet of synthetic turf installed to replace existing grass fields.
  • Annual Water Conservation: 1 acre-foot of water = 326,000 gallons
    • Upper Sports Complex: 19.5 acre-feet of water
    • Doerr Family Field: 6 acre-feed of water
  • Turf uses recycled tires for fill.

Vehicles

• Hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Hybrid Toyota Highlander for off-campus commuting.
  • Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) that is 100% electrically powered for on-campus commuting.
  • Two John Deere electric utility vehicles for field maintenance and supervision.

 Waste Management

• Collaborative work with the university to support zero waste events in our facilities.
• Indoor and outdoor trash and recycle cans are labeled with Cal Poly approved landfill and recycle signage.
• University Union installed Bigbelly® solar powered trash compactors installed along Mustang Way in fall 2020.

Business Practices

• Use of electronic signature software and conversion of other processes to digital platforms and electronic methods to reduce paper waste.
  • Examples of this transition are ASI Human Resources paperwork, payroll information forms, recruitment requests, separation reports, and remote work agreements.
  • Examples of this transition are ASI Accounting paperwork, asset disposal, payment request forms, receiving confirmation, and sole source memos.

ASI Programs

• ASI Poly Escapes Incorporates ‘Leave No Trace’ principles into trip leader training. This includes sustainable and responsible ways to plan and prepare for a trip, travel and camp, dispose of waste properly, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.

To reduce waste, ASI Poly Escapes will reuse, repair, and recycle gear, including selling at a discounted price during the annual Used Gear Sale.