In an effort to bring the university up to par with the latest green technology, Cal State Long Beach is working on making the campus more sustainable and inspiring the community to join in.
“We are responsible for diverting 50 percent of the waste on campus away from land fills,” Manager of Integrated Waste Management and Moving Services Jon Root said.
CSULB’s waste management staff recycles furniture, computers, batteries, paper, automobile parts and much more. These recycling efforts lower the university’s disposal costs.
Associated Students Inc. has operated the on-campus recycling center since 1970. From educating kindergarteners to professionals, the recycling center gives informational tours to 1,500 people annually, Recycling Coordinator Lee Johnson said.
“Having a recycling center was educational in itself,” he said.
CSULB has also practiced self-sustainability by using renewable energy. The university has installed solar panels on the rooftops of Brotman Hall, the Vivian Engineering Center and the Facilities Management Corporation Yard.
“Solar panels supply a portion of energy at Brotman Hall to power items such as computers, air conditioning and lights,” Energy and Sustainability Manager Paul Wingco said.
Wingco said the university’s renewable energy provides 61 percent of Brotman Hall’s power.
For example, on May 7 between 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Brotman Hall consumes 247.1 kilowatts of power. During this time, the campus’ solar production supplies 152.8 kW and the city’s utilities supply 94.3 kW.
CSULB has adopted other sustainable practices including installing water-conserving faucets, urinals and irrigation pipes, using environmentally friendly cleaning products, driving electric-powered vehicles and constructing new buildings with U.S. Green Building LEED standards.
The campus provides several transportation alternatives, like new bike routes, bus and shuttle routes, carpool parking and Zimride, a free on-campus ride-sharing social network.
Some students are aware of the green movement and are volunteering to help the school. For example, members of the Environmental Science and Policy Club are working on getting a 20×20 square feet plot of land to grow and maintain a garden on campus, according to club member Tiffany Chen.
Chen said the garden would generate buzz on campus and make students more aware of where food comes from and how to sustain it.
“We live in an urban setting,” Chen said. “We want to educate students how to grow food in small spaces and be effective.”
Chen also volunteers for the Green Long Beach! Festival, a local event that will showcase the city’s latest green practices. Attendees will have the chance to learn about current solar technology, energy conservation, organic gardens and green jobs from various workshop booths at the event.
“Mom and pop shops are becoming greener,” festival coordinator Elliot Gonzales said. “The point of the festival is to get those groups together.”
The event will take place May 22 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on 3rd Street and Long Beach Boulevard in the East Village Arts District.
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