Green technologies on Quinnipiac's York Hill and North Haven campuses have thrown a spotlight on the University's commitment to the environment.

At York Hill, wind turbines generate 32,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, while roof-top photovoltaic panels gather power from the sun, saving another 250,000 kilowatts. Watch the wind turbines in action and read about them in a New York Times article. Read more about York Hill's green initiatives.

On the North Haven Campus, environmentally-friendly features include: energy-efficient heating and cooling units and lighting fixtures; low VOC paint; Green Guard-certified carpeting and new windows with energy-saving thermal glazing.

The University's Sustainability Committee, which includes students, faculty and staff, meets regularly to share ideas and plan events.

These measures are just a glimpse into Quinnipiac's far-reaching campaign to go green. Fresh initiatives, and improved practices, are underway University-wide.

They include improvements in the following areas:

Power

• Quinnipiac purchases 100 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, placing it well above state and national minimum renewable energy purchase requirements.
• Lighting in all residence halls has been switched from T12 to more efficient T8 bulbs.
• The University's ongoing "Bobcat Bulb Swap" program allows students to trade up to six fluorescent bulbs for greener, high compact fluorescent models.
• The University's information technology department has installed a "deep freeze" feature, which automatically shuts down all computers in teaching classrooms at night.

Water

• Half of the campus' eight irrigation zones, which deliver water to the grounds and landscaping, are outfitted with automatic shut-off features to conserve water after heavy rain has saturated the soil.
• Water usage in residence hall toilets has been reduced from 3.5 to 1.6 gallons per flush, which saves 2-3 million gallons of water annually.
• "Hydration stations," which allow users to easily refill water bottles with fresh, cold drinking water, are replacing less sanitary, old-style water fountains in the Athletic Center and Tator Hall. The stations reduce plastic use.

Products and Practices

• Plastic, cans, paper and cardboard are recycled across campus.
• In 2009, the University launched an annual mattress recycling program, recycling 167 mattresses for the first time.
• Campus Copy shop offers double-sided copies printed on 100 percent recycled paper.
• Sixty-five percent of cleaning supplies used on campus are Green Seal-certified.
• The University uses only natural fertilizer products on its fields and landscaping
• Paper towel products used on campus are composed of at least 40 percent recycled fiber.
• The University Copy/Mail Center uses a digital package-tracking system, which notifies recipients via e-mail, rather than paper slip notices in mailboxes.
• Graduates at Commencement ceremonies wear gowns made of 100 percent recycled material.