Awards

Music Building LEED Certification

The magnificent renovation of the Music department’s historic home, combined with the construction of new contemporary space, celebrates both the distinguished traditions and the promising future of one of the most honored academic programs of the School of Arts and Sciences and the University.

The facility marks an important milestone for Penn in its sustainability efforts, as it is expected to be the first University building project to achieve a Silver rating in the LEED certification framework, the system of internationally-recognized “green” building standards. Some 95% of construction waste was recycled; furnishings are made of recyclable and sustainable materials; water use will be minimized; and the building will be maintained using new “green” housekeeping procedures.

Green Fund Awards

The Green Fund Award is a University wide competition for projects which further the University’s sustainability efforts. Details and a link for how to apply can be found at http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/sustain_gfund.php.

GREEN FUND AWARD RECIPIENTS AT SAS

Spring 2010: Department of Chemistry – Laboratory Glass and Metal Recycling

  • Installation of one 20-yard recycling compactor and one 6-yard trash compactor in the Department of Chemistry loading dock in order to implement a department-wide lab glass and lab metal recycling program
  • The additional compactor will also increase the department’s capacity to recycle paper, cardboard and commingled materials while reducing the number of pickups from 10-12 to 2-3 per week

Project Leader: Matthew Lane, Executive Director, Department of Chemistry

Sponsor: Department of Chemistry

Spring 2012: Facilities, Planning and Operations – Electric Vehicle

A Green Fund Grant was received to purchase an electric Columbia ParCar Mega Van, SAS’s first electric vehicle. The Mega Van replaced a 1991 maintenance-intensive and highly polluting petro-fueled Daihatsu, and is currently being used by SAS computing to facilitate the pickup and delivery of computing equipment.

The Mega Van is a zero-emissions vehicle, whose use has by definition reduced the tailpipe and downstream carbon emissions compared to its predecessor. The now-retired Daihatsu required an average of 2.17 service visits per year over the last 6 years, with 2011 alone requiring 3 service visits. Since its employment, Mega Van has required zero service visits and harbors no indication of needing service.