ANN ARBOR, Mich—Utility reduction, transportation alternatives, waste reduction and green purchasing efforts at the University of Michigan are aimed at helping the environment. Terry Alexander, director of U-M’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Health department, stressed the need to maintain a balance between environmental, economic and social resources. Projects were highlighted in an annual environmental stewardship update to the Board of Regents in February. "Two years ago we had over 180 environmental stewardship projects underway at the University," Alexander said. "Though that number has fluctuated slightly as some projects have been completed and others added, we are still tracking close to 200. The success stories are the result of hundreds, if not thousands, of students, faculty and staff." Utility reduction efforts have included implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star programs and a competition in the residence halls. Energy Star upgrades, which began in 1997, are estimated to generate an annual savings of $9.7 million, Alexander said. "Or the energy equivalent to running 3,000 homes in the county. The positive impact on the environment is also tremendous, mitigating 475 tons of nitrogen oxides and 120,000 tons of carbon dioxide since 1998." Students in the residence halls helped reduce water use by 30 percent and energy use by 10 percent, while increasing the recyclables by 40 percent during a three-month competition last winter. "The challenge for this year is finding a way to implement this successful program across the campus," Alexander said. U-M operates the largest alternative-fueled fleet in the state with all 110 diesel-powered vehicles, including transit buses, burning ultra low sulfur bio-diesel fuel and more than 400 passenger cars burning ethanol fuel. "The bio-diesel and ethanol reduce emissions significantly when compared with traditional diesel or unleaded gasoline," Alexander said. Additional efforts continue to encourage faculty, staff and students to use alternate forms of transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on campus. "University bus ridership is up to 4.3 million passengers annually, 2,800 faculty and staff opted for free/subsidized AATA bus passes rather than drive cars, and van pool riders increased from 60 to 103," Alexander said. Recycling efforts at U-M capture approximately 30 percent of the solid waste stream. A new program to recycle acetone solvent used in washing glassware in the Chemistry Department will save $35,000 annually in waste costs and $6,000 in acetone purchases, Alexander reported. Low-level radioactive waste has dropped nearly 50 percent in the past four years through finding substitute materials, reducing the volume used and finding methods to segregate the materials for alternative disposal options. The various campus recycling efforts have received national attention. Sarah Archer, U-M’s recycling coordinator, presented the regents with the award the University received as the National Recycling Coalition’s 2001 Outstanding School Program. Through Prime Vendor contracts, environmentally friendly office products are easier for faculty and staff to obtain. "Last year, 12 percent of all office products purchased were considered ‘green’, and 16.3 percent of the paper used on campus had a recycled-material content," Alexander said. "Purchasing Services has set a goal of increasing green purchasing in these two categories to 30 percent over the next two years." Alexander explained that many other environmental stewardship efforts are in place on campus, including management of compliance with air emissions, storm water and sanitary discharges, hazardous materials and health and safety issues.