(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - Boston, Massachusetts (August 24, 2009) - Boston University School of Management is taking several new steps to reduce waste and save energy.  In line with BU-wide sustainability initiatives, the School is adopting a number of new policies and procedures: 

• Defaulting all group/network printers to dual-sided printing (versus one image per page).
• Implementing monitor “sleep” states when the PC is not in use for greater than 20 minutes.  $14,500 will be saved and our carbon footprint will be reduced by 3.95 tons
• Reducing student print quotas in line with a BU-wide policy change effective at the start of the new academic year
• Providing free reusable water bottles to students
• Requesting students sign a sustainability pledge

These and future changes are designed to complement the University’s overall campaign to green itself, which spans energy management and resource conservation, solid waste management, purchasing, transportation and construction.  Some of the recent accomplishments reported by the Office of Sustainability at Boston University are:

• Completion of several energy efficiency and environmental footprint reduction programs resulting in a cost savings of over $3.5M/year.
• Continuation and expansion of “green sourcing” and socially responsible procurement practices, including the purchase of local produce, the hosting of a weekly farmers’ market, use of recycled paper and green chemicals as well as many fair trade items
• 600,000 pounds of food scraps and 40,000 pounds of cooking oil collected yearly for composting and recycling
• Participation in several local and national volunteer events, including Charles River Clean Up and the Green Team (at Fenway Park)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jennifer M. Ivers
617-358-0234
ivers@bu.edu