About Us

Achievements

2008  

  • For the second consecutive year, the University of Michigan Health System was honored with the Environment Environmental Leadership Circle Award by Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (Link). 
  • Greenride, a web-based ride matching system, was introduced and currently boasts over 2,500 registered, potential carpoolers (Link).

 

2007

  • The University of Michigan Health System was honored with the Environmental Leadership Circle Award, in its inaugural year, by Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (Link).
  • The U-M joined the Climate Savers program, a partnership involving Google and a number of computer manufacturers, designed to ensure that campus computers meet strict energy efficiency standards (Link).
  • The Michigan Recycling Coalition recognized the U-M as the 2007 Recycler of the Year for Outstanding Waste Reduction and Reuse for its “Student Move Out Donation and Office Supply Reuse Program" (Link).

 

2006

  • The University of Michigan Health System announced the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital would be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council when it opens in 2011 (Link). 
  • The University of Michigan Health System was honored by the Green Guide, National Geographic’s environmental awareness source, for being one of the top green hospitals in the United States and demonstrating outstanding achievement in waste reduction, recycling and reuse (Link).
  • Coalition recognized the U-M as the 2006 Recycler of the Year for Special Events Recycling (Link).
  • UHousing began the LeeDer Pledge Campaign that saw an inaugural class of 142 student pledges to incorporate environmentally friendly behavior into their daily lives (Link). 

 

2005

  • The Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute created two searchable databases containing all U-M sustainability-related courses and faculty members:

o        Course Database

o        Faculty/Researcher Database

 

2004

  • The renovation of the Samuel T. Dana Building, home to the School of Natural Resources and Environment, earned a Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The renovation process, called “The Greening of Dana,” involved students, staff, and faculty and documented here: (Link).
  • The U-M was awarded partnership in Washtenaw County's Waste Knot Program which recognizes Washtenaw County schools, businesses, government and non-profit agencies showing leadership in waste reduction and energy conservation; U-M remains a partner to this day (Link).
  • Awarded Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for Leadership in Energy Management by US EPA.

 

2003

  • U-M President Mary Sue Coleman formed the Environmental Stewardship Task Force to “develop a plan for the U-M to create a more sustainable future” (Link).

 

2002

  • University's Central Power Plant is awarded Energy Star's Combined Heat and Power Award in recognition of the significant fuel savings realized by the highly effecient plant.

 

 

2001

 

2000      

  • The U-M installed ethanol pumps in on-campus stations providing fuel for one of the largest alternative fuel fleets in the country (Link).  

 

1997      

  • The U-M launched its Energy Star program, in accord with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in an effort to complete the five Energy Start stages in all General Fund buildings (Link). 

 

1995          

  • The first annual Energy Fest was held at the U-M to educate the students, staff, and faculty about energy savings (Link). 

 

1994

  •  The Michigan Recycling Coalition recognized the U-M as the 1994 Recycler of the Year for Special Events Recycling (Link).

 

1991

  •  The U-M wins a Michigan Recycling Coalition award (Link). 

 

1989

  • The U-M launches it’s campus recycling program (Link).

 

1987

  • The Energy Conservation Project Account, a self-sustaining fund providing resources for energy improvements in U-M buildings, was created (Link). 

 

1970

  • University of Michigan Parking and Transportation Services Department began sponsoring vanpools for employee commuting (Link). 
  • The U-M celebrated the First Earth Day, a national event proposed by U-M Professor Emeritus and U.S. Senator, Gaylord Nelson (EPA History) (U-M News Services Article). 

 

This list of U-M sustainability achievements was compiled by a variety of U-M representatives, but is by no means exhaustive. If you would like to contribute an event or award to the written history of U-M sustainability efforts, please contact us. Your submission will be reviewed by the U-M Campus Sustainability Committee and, if applicable, will be included in this Web site.