WOHESC

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Our Sustainable Practices

Oregon State University – WOHESC 2023 Host Campus

• The self-guided sustainability tour provides an overview of OSU’s sustainability innovations, features, and accomplishments.
• OSU’s sustainability practices overview can be found in their Annual Sustainability Report (all reports available here), which is in part based on our STARS dataset. OSU was the first school in Oregon to submit a report and was nationally recognized in AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index as the first institution ever to ever reach a 10-report milestone in 2020. Each year since 2011, OSU has earned gold-level STARS rating.

Waste

• Since 2005-06, OSU has seen a 56.48 percent reduction in total waste generated per campus user. Much of this success is the result of OSU’s waste reduction and diversion initiatives, including Waste Watchers, Repair Fairs, Grads Give Back, community Master Recycler classes, and the OSUsed store. In 2022, OSU was recognized as a top performer in the Sustainable Campus Index for waste-related practices.
• Click here for more information about waste at OSU.

Food

• University Housing & Dining Services is part of the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, a working group of experts launched by the Culinary Institute of America, the Harvard School of Public Health, and Stanford University. The vision of Menus of Change is to collaborate on research, create evidence-based food systems, and work toward healthier, more sustainable, plant-forward diets.
• Leftover, usable food is repurposed for the Food For Thought program or donated to the Linn-Benton Food Share.
• Numerous local and organic products, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, are available at any dining center and market.
• UHDS is a member of the Food Alliance, an organization which promotes environmental and social responsibility for the food system.
• Waste cooking oil is reused for biodiesel.
• Click here for more information about food at OSU.

Energy

• OSU has over 3 megawatts of photovoltaic equipment, mostly at five large ground mounted solar sites throughout the state. These five arrays cover more than twelve acres combined. The Sustainability Office also has a portable Solar Trailer, which provides quiet renewable energy to university and non-university events across the state.
• The Energy Dashboard has been developed by the Sustainability Office to enable members of the OSU community to access, view, and analyze energy consumption trends.

Water

• Rainwater is collected then organically & mechanically filtered, treated, and stored at Kelley Engineering, in a 16,500-gallon chemical-free cistern system. This system is used to flush toilets and urinals rather than using potable water.
• Bioswales help treat and retain stormwater from nearby roadways and parking lots. OSU has 11 bioswales and 5 rain gardens in various locations around campus, with the largest bioswale located at Reser Stadium.
• Learn more about water at OSU here.

Carbon Neutrality

• OSU aims to be carbon neutral by 2025. Most recently, the university has adopted a Path to Carbon Neutrality to guide our carbon reduction strategies moving forward. The plan includes a set of nine actions, including prioritizing energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and eliminating the use of natural gas.
• Click here to learn more about climate action at OSU.

Sustainable Transportation

• The Sustainable Transportation Strategy contains a set of 15 actions to achieve OSU’s goal of reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips to OSU's Corvallis campus to 20% by 2030.
• OSU uses Zipcar, a membership-based car sharing program for people who are looking for an alternative method of transportation with lower costs than traditional transportation. This program reduces daily reliance on single occupancy vehicles.
• OSU has 21 EV charging stations, one of which is a unique station on OSU's Solar Trailer.
• League of American Bicyclists has recognized OSU as a Gold level Bicycle Friendly University.
• Learn more about transportation at OSU here.

Green Buildings

• During 2019, OSU implemented its new Requirements for Sustainable Development (RSD) that provided more rigorous pathways to improve sustainability in construction. Click here for a list of LEED and RSD-certified buildings on campus.
• Learn more about green buildings at OSU here.

OSU Community Engagement & Resources

• The Sustainability Engagement Program is a free two-part course that allows students to explore sustainability without committing to the time or expense of a for-credit class. This non-credit course is transcript-visible and offered every term.
• Eco-Reps are student employees who are responsible for encouraging a culture of sustainability in their residence halls by conducting outreach, planning events, managing their hall's composting program, and more.
• OSU-specific carbon footprint calculator.
• Click here for a list of sustainability-focused clubs and organizations at OSU.
• Sustainability tips for OSU community members can be found here.
• Green certifications help the OSU community further sustainability efforts and receive recognition for excellent work. Green Office, Lab, and Greek certifications utilize Qualtrics surveys to assess practices such as energy and water use, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and outreach. Once data entry and analysis are complete, the Sustainability Office will send a score and certification level, as well as customized recommendations for improvement to reach the next level.
• OSU Sustainability Advocates allow employees to serve as sustainability contacts within their campus units. Advocates share information and training opportunities, network with peers, and promote sustainability-related events to their units and to students.
• The Faculty Senate Carbon Committee (C3) works toward achieving the 2025 carbon neutrality goal in the areas of carbon pricing, conservation, efficiency, & transportation, education & curriculum, and reporting & communication.
• Sustainability Map
• Sustainability newsletter
• Sustainability social media

Registration

• WOHESC Registration process utilizes a 100% paperless ticket system
• Lanyards are recycled from past events and collected at the end of WOHESC for next year re-use
• Badges include attendee-selected pronouns

Printing and Signage

• Event signage is printed on DISPA - co-friendly paper boards for screen and digital printing made of FSC®‑certified paper (FSC® C127595) and are 100% recyclable.
• Greatly reduce print programs offering a digital program via event app and PDF program accessed by QR code

Marketing/Communications

• Messaging to attendees on how they can help make the event more sustainable - including bringing their own coffee mugs and water bottles

© 2022 | Event by Social Enterprises, Inc.

PO BOX 31039
Portland, OR 97231
Office | 503.226.2377
Toll Free | 1.855.740.8417