There are a number of ongoing projects specific to the JHSI.  Please check back for updated descriptions. 

More generally, Johns Hopkins University has undertaken many steps to make the University more sustainable and environmentally responsible.  The following describes four general categories of sustainability activities at Johns Hopkins.

Green Buildings
Energy
Food Services
Broader Sustainability

Green building features in construction projects

The Johns Hopkins University incorporates green building features in its new construction and renovation efforts, with special attention to measures that  improve our energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and work environment (such as increasing natural daylighting and reducing VOCs).  Because of our location within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the University is in the process of undertaking a number of aggressive measures to reduce storm water runoff, including the addition of storm water bio-swales, the construction of a green “living” roof deck, a rainwater capture system for reuse in cage washing in laboratories, and an underground parking garage that will replace a water-impervious asphalt blacktop with an expanded green space.  We are currently experimenting with waterless urinals, low-flow showerheads, and other water conserving products.  In 2004 one campus completed a water conservation retrofit that annually saves over eight million gallons of water. 

From an energy perspective, the University typically designs for high efficiency in new construction and renovations, and has an energy engineer on retainer to evaluate our energy systems and perform ongoing commissioning. 

The University is currently pursuing LEED certification for several new and existing buildings, and typically considers the feasibility of LEED NC or EB programs for all new projects that involve upgrades of existing buildings or new construction.  For minor renovations, the University looks towards LEED principals as guideposts for moving forward.  The University is also considering renovating one of our oldest and most visible buildings into a showcase for sustainable design by enclosing its courtyard with a glass atrium to bring natural light into all areas of the building.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Sources

The University is currently undertaking a carbon emissions inventory, and will have the first phase (focusing on the main undergraduate campus) completed by the Fall of 2006. 

The University continues to upgrade equipment, lighting, and appliances for energy efficiency benefits.  The Bloomberg School of Public Health has upgraded all fluorescent lighting from T-12s to T-8s, and more recently to “Super T-8s,” reducing their overall lighting load by over 40%.  Similar lighting retrofits are underway at all other campuses.  Energy retrofits in certain buildings at the Homewood campus have resulted in energy gains of over 50%. 

The University is now evaluating several renewable energy opportunities.  On campus, the University is developing a plan to install solar thermal panels on the roof of the recreation center in order to provide renewable heating and hot water needs.  The University also received a grant from the USDA Forest Service to conduct a feasibility study on converting specific heating systems from oil to wood biomass.  Off campus, the University has taken steps to work with wind power developers to secure a percentage of green electricity, and is working with a local dairy farm to convert food and farm wastes into green electricity through anaerobic digestion.

In the transportation sector, the University owns a fleet of small electric vehicles that are used for operations, parking services, and for student and visitor mobility.  The University is also in the process of converting the fuel used for its shuttle buses from petroleum diesel to biodiesel.

Food Services Sustainability Priorities

The managers of food services at Johns Hopkins place a high priority on sustainability, and have made significant strides in integrating locally grown and/or organic food into the menus.  The undergraduate campus recently switched its dining services providers from Sodexo to Aramark largely based on the ability of Aramark to provide better environmental service.  University food services managers prioritize the purchase of locally sourced produce and seafood.  The dining areas also demonstrate the commitment to sustainability by using rapidly renewable materials – such as bamboo tables – and flooring products that guarantee a minimum percentage of recycled post consumer waste.

At one graduate campus the food service providers have agreed to change their menus to support a school initiative called “Meatless Mondays.”  The smaller coffee cafes, scattered around the campus, are now selling exclusively organic shade-grown coffees (many of which are also Free Trade certified).  There is currently a small pilot composting program on the undergraduate campus.

All dining services contribute to the recycling programs, and the recycling programs are supported student groups and student-centered activities, such as the ECO-Reps program.  

Broad Sustainability Initiatives

As a major formal step towards sustainability, Johns Hopkins University hired its first Manager of Energy and Environmental Stewardship in the Spring of 2006.  The position was the result of over six years of work on sustainability from members of various divisions at the University, which included the formation of an “Ad Hoc Greening Committee,” a recycling program, sustainability curriculum development, and a national conference on Greening the University in 2001.

In the summer of 2006 the University launched the Johns Hopkins Sustainability Initiative to develop new programs that help reduce the University’s environmental impact, to coordinate sustainability activities on different campuses, and to work with students and faculty to integrate a greater vision of sustainability within educational activities. 

The University has been active in promoting alternatives to single occupancy vehicle commuting.  The University sponsors bike commuting workshops, bike tune-ups, and incentives (such as free lockers and towel service at the recreation center) for participating.  The University shuttle busses make stops at Penn Station to pick up commuters who arrive by train, and are expanding stops in residential neighborhoods as a service to staff who choose not to drive.  The University participates in a pre-tax deduction program for mass transit passes, and will soon be offering incentives for carpooling.

Inside our buildings, the University is implementing a green cleaning policy at its undergraduate campus that will require that all cleaning products meet Green Seal’s GS-37 standard regarding general purpose cleaners.  This policy will ensure all cleaners are fully biodegradable and do not contain any ozone depleting compounds.

The University adheres to an integrated pest management (IPM) philosophy for reducing pests on campus.  The program is an environmentally sensitive approach that emphasizes reducing hazards to people, property, and the environment.  This approach is utilized inside buildings and also by the grounds crews who utilize biologically friendly materials and supplements to control pests and enhance lawn and garden appearances.  The technique includes the use of compost, organic fertilizers, and other methods for maintaining healthy soil structure.