College and University Sector Strategy Efforts

The Work Group developed a database tool to gather four years of retrospective data on energy use, hazardous waste, solid waste/recycling, and water consumption as key environmental indicators. The goal of this effort has been to explore the challenges of data collection and the potential value of the information. If this database is successful, the group may continue adding data on an annual basis. Schools can use the database tool to identify and analyze trends in their data in an easy-to-use format. The database also allows colleges and universities to track and benchmark their environmental indicators against aggregated data from other schools of similar size and type. School names are kept confidential. All colleges and universities are invited to input data and provide suggestions for improvement of this tool. Environmental indicators (or metrics) can help track performance, manage compliance, shape the future, and inspire action. They can measure outputs or impacts, such as pounds of trash or gallons of water used. Other indicators measure proactive efforts, such as the number of training classes. Others may include waste generation or utility usage, which are items central to continuous improvement efforts. Condition indicators measure water or soil quality, which are factors important to the community.