What UCLA is doing
Over the past 75 years, UCLA has evolved from being a campus of some four buildings to one now encompassing over 190 buildings and parking structures, and yet has preserved a garden-like atmosphere. Today UCLA accommodates the largest campus population (almost 60,000 people on the average week day) on the smallest general campus area (419 acres) in the UC system. For nearly two decades UCLA has been diverting wastes and becoming more energy efficient. In 2005, UCLA took campus greening to the next level by establishing the UCLA Sustainability Committee.
UCLA is a living laboratory for climate and sustainability research. Undergraduate and graduate students engage with staff and faculty to pilot new technologies and policies on the university campus. With over 25 research centers focused on sustainability, UCLA is creating the technology and training the leaders of tomorrow, while leading by example in our own operations. For a snapshot of our progress and an overview of our programs click here. Explore below to learn more about all the different sustainability initiatives at UCLA and click here to find out how you can get involved.
Student Initiatives
Operations
Academics
Quick Facts
- A least 20% of the department's purchases of janitorial paper and trash bag products, cleaning products, disinfectant, and hand soaps are certified sustainable cleaning products and materials.
- The Green Cleaning policy covers purchase, use, and disposal of cleaning materials to ensure sustainable use of our resources.
- UCLA is switching to only environmentally preferable cleaning products (Green Seal certified, Environmental Choice, and/or items made from renewable-resources).
- UCLA's Bruin Green Cleaning program includes policies that address sustainability in three areas: cleaning, purchasing, and equipment.
- Vacuum cleaners must be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute "Green Label" Testing Program.d/
- UCLA Software Central coordinates a campus-wide initiative to recycle old CD, CD-ROM and DVD disks. Visit www.softwarecentral.ucla.edu for more information.
- UCLA has purchased recycling distillation equipment and is recycling alcohol from the clinical labs. In 2006, 2,424 gallons of alcohol were recycled.
- UCLA Health System has eliminated all mercury-based instruments, which helps prevent mercury from getting into waterways, contaminating the food chain, and posing a threat to human health.
- UCLA's hospital cafeterias replaced all Styrofoam cups with biodegradable, paper-insulated cups, which will save hundreds of thousands of pounds of waste material every year.
- The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) raises $200,000 per year for UCLA sustainability projects. Visit usac.ucla.edu/tgif for more information
- 1.9 million vehicle trips are saved each year from UCLAs investment in transportation which equals nearly 5,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions
- 38% of UCLA's fleet are alternative fuel vehicles
- 4 high-rise residential buildings on campus have solar water heating
- A significant portion of new dormitory furniture has Forest Stewardship Council certified wood
- All of UCLA's computers are Energy Star rated and standard configurations for desktop computers and notebooks/monitors are EPEAT certified gold and silver respectively
- New Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Modernization will reduce UCLA's carbon footprint by 17,000 tons/year
- Over the last 6 months, UCLA's purchases of copier paper with post-consumer product has increased from 26% to 80%
- Starting in 2009 all new construction and major renovations will be certified LEED Silver or higher.
- UCLA has installed over 600,000 energy efficent bulbs and 3,600 low energy exit signs
- UCLA's energy consumption per sq. ft. has continued to drop over the last 8 years
- UCLA's staff and faculty drive-alone rate has reduced from 69% in 1990 to 53% in 2009 (compared to 74% in Los Angeles, overall)
