The Center for Latin American StudiesThe Center for Latin American StudiesThe staff at Berkeley’s Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) has been making an effort to practice what they preach in their “Alternative Energy and the Americas” program. CLAS has taken signifi cant steps toward greater sustainability in the past few years, most recently by hiring a student intern from Building Sustainability at Cal (BS@C) to help achieve the goals outlined in the university’s Climate Action Plan. The Center’s efforts provide an example of what it takes to make an existing campus building more environmentally friendly.

The timeline below shows the Center’s journey toward sustainability, progressing from a typical offi ce to a resource effi cient building.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A SUSTAINABLE DEPARTMENT ON CAMPUS?

For further information on hiring Building Sustainability at Cal to make your building or department more eco-friendly, please contact Claire Evans at clairemevans@gmail.com or visit the BS@C website at: http://buildingsustainabilityatcal.com/

January 2009Smart Lights Program: CLAS works with Smart Lights to assess and improve lighting effi ciency. Energy saving T-8 fl uorescent lights are substituted for the old T-12s, and CFLs take the place of incandescent light bulbs. Replacing ineffi cient lighting helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.

May 2009Xeriscaping and Bike Rack: Goodbye thirsty landscaping; hello drought-tolerant native plants! CLAS works with Capital Projects to install low maintenance, low water land-scaping; a bike rack; and a wheelchair ramp, making their front yard beautiful while also promoting alternative transportation.

September 2009Water Audit: The BS@C intern inspects all plumbing fi xtures to determine fl ow rates and theoretical water consumption rates. Results indicate that 1920s faucets and fi xtures should be fi tted with faucet aerators or upgraded with low fl ow devices.

August 2009Building Sustainability at Cal (BS@C): CLAS hires intern McCall Wood from BS@C, a student group dedicated to making campus buildings more sustainable. Wood has been essential in completing small projects and informing the staff about sustainable behaviors.

September 2009Lighting Audit: The BS@C intern inspects all lighting fi xtures to determine where upgrades can be made. Her fi ndings indicate that CLAS could increase sustainability by using CFLs in desk lamps and by taking advantage of the building’s many windows to practice daylighting.

October 2009Waste Audit: The BS@C intern examines and weighs the contents of the Center’s waste trail to determine annual waste production. She fi nds that the staff does very well at recycling mixed paper and bottles and cans but can improve practices by buying in bulk and establishing a composting program.

October 2009Building Walk-Through and Survey: The BS@C intern conducts a walk-through and survey to evaluate the CLAS staff ’s sustainable behaviors. The survey provides information that guides future projects and results in a personalized action plan for each staff member.

November 2009ReUSE Station: In an effort to reduce the amount of waste going to landfi lls, CLAS establishes an offi cial ReUSE station stocked with used binders, clips, folders, and other offi ce supplies. ReUSE is a campus-wide program that creates spaces where students, faculty, and staff can freely exchange reusable goods.

November 2009One Side Clean Paper Bins: According to the EPA, the average offi ce worker uses seven reams of paper each year! CLAS staff members make an effort to reduce their waste and carbon emissions by reusing paper. Two OSC bins were installed near frequently used printers.

January 2010Green Event: A private fi lm screening and reception is certifi ed as a Green Event by the Offi ce of Sustainability. The function is catered by a local service which provides vegetarian options, alternatives to bottled water, compostable plates, paperless invitations, reusable nametags, and sustainable centerpieces. The Green Event shows the Center’s dedication to practicing sustainability outside the offi ce.

January 2010Elimination of Bottled Water: After months of educating staff members, researching alternatives, and testing water quality, CLAS cancels its contract for two fi ve-gallon bottled water dispensers, thereby reducing its carbon footprint, promoting better health, and saving money.

February 2010I Heart Tap Water Campaign: Posters, stickers, and buttons are distributed in an effort to remind staff, students, and visitors that CLAS is a tap water drink-ing department. The “I Heart Tap Water” campaign is a campus-wide initiative run by Health*Matters.

February 2010Reduced Electrical Consumption: Hard work pays off! As a resultof eliminating unnecessary appliances and bottled water dispensers, practicing daylighting, and turning off computers, CLAS is able to reduce its electrical consumption rates by 30 percent when compared to the last three years. (Figures provided by Physical Plant and Campus Services.)

March 2010Energy Effi cient LCD and LED Monitors: CLAS upgrades its most-used computer monitors with Energy Star models which are halogen-free and made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, some of the most energy effi cient models on the market. The new monitors further reduce the Center’s carbon footprint.

March 2010Green Department Certifi cationCLAS becomes a Blue Certifi ed Green Department. CLAS is the ninth department on the Berkeley campus to become certifi ed by the Offi ce of Sustainability. Certifi cation means CLAS has made a signifi cant effort to make their offi ce as energy and resource effi cient as possible practicing double sided printing, battery and ink toner recycling, and using reusable cups and plates among other actions.

April 2010 and BeyondContinued Commitment: CLAS staff members hope to establish a composting program, host more Green Events, and continue their daily commitment to sustainable practices. In the future, CLAS plans on registering to become a LEED-certifi ed building. As the Center’s experience shows, becoming a sustainable department is an ongoing process that requires commitment from the entire staff.

University of California, Berkeley

The G een Initiative Fund

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