Energy & Recycling at UND

We all can make a difference for our environment.

Conserving Energy

Before taking measures into your own hands, ask questions by requesting a maintenance request at 701.777.2591. Sometimes opening a window or bringing an appliance in to heat or cool may cause additional issues within the building and can reduce the overall performance of the building.

Recent Energy Saving Initiatives

Public-Private Partnership allows UND to replace an aging steam plant. From outdated coal fired boilers to efficient natural gas took a new approach for obtaining funding.

Creative Funding Approach

Nearly 40 UND buildings receive LED lighting upgrades to reduce the overall operating costs of our buildings while reducing our carbon footprint. Buildings are showing great results in efficiency. The High Performance Center will save nearly $20,000 annually in estimated electricity costs.

HPC Outcomes

Energy Savings Rankings

In a recent a benchmarking analysis performed byNavigant Research, UND ranks 10th amongst peer universities and 2nd among flaship universities assessed for sustainability commitments and progress.

Energy Saving Tips

Develop smart energy habits at home. By adopting some of the recommended habits below, you will become more conscious of your energy waste and begin to notice other ways you can be more responsible in your energy use:

Turn off the lights when you don't need them.
Use Energy Star certified bulbs, which use 70-90% less energy, last up to 15 times longer and can save an estimated $80 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
Unplug chargers when your devices are charged.
Turn down the thermostat when you are leaving.
Buy Energy Star certified products.

Do Not Use Screen Savers

Manage your computer energy use. Don't use screen savers, instead:

Activate power management on your computer
Turn off computers in on-campus computer centers and offices when closing for the day.

Minimize Your Commuting Footprint

Ride bike, walk or use buses instead of driving.

Recycling at UND

UND adopted the Single-Stream recycling methodology which allows for aluminum, glass, paper, cardboard, books, magazines and plastic to be collected in one container. Large volume cardboard, scrap metal and yard waste are recycled separately.

Individuals collect and place recyclables into conveniently located receptacles within the buildings. Containers are labeled and specifications are displayed.

What UND Recycles

Paper

Recyclable - White and colored paper, newspaper, phone books, junk mail, post-it-notes, magazines, brown paper bags, office paper, paper board boxes, remove metal or plastic spines and clips.
Non-Recyclable - Carbon paper, food wrappers, Paper towels, facial tissue. NO STYROFOAM.

Books, reports and more can be recycled simply by separating the dissimilar components.

Paperback books can be placed in the recycling bin as they are, as it is all paper.
Remove the front and backs of hardcover books, then place the pages as well as the covers into the recycling bin.
Reports can be separated from any plastic coverings and all pieces can be placed into the recycling bin.
All binders with metal bindings can be recycled by removing the metal from the cover and placing all pieces inside the recycling bin.

Plastic

Recyclable - Soda, water, and juice bottles. Plastic containers, screw on tops of bottles, yogurt cups, drink and food pouches, milk and orange juice jugs, peanut butter jars,
(small food residual is okay).
Non-Recyclable - NO PLASTIC BAGS, toys, plastic egg cartons, “to go” plastic containers, plastic plates, no six-pack ring holders.

Aluminum and Tin/Steel

Recyclable - Soda and food cans (do not crush), screw on lids, aerosol cans and paint cans (all cans must be empty). Labels are okay.
Non-Recyclable - Full containers or large amounts of food waste.

Glass

Recyclable - Clear, all colored bottles and jars.
Non-Recyclable - Light bulbs, drinking glasses, dishes windows, mirrors, etc.

Cardboard

Recyclable - Corrugated and paper board (i.e. cereal box) and paper bags. Remove packaging, flatten, and place in outdoor cardboard container or place behind hallway containers.
Non-Recyclable - Styrofoam or bubble packaging.

Printer Cartridges

Recyclable - Laser and ink jet printer cartridges.
Non-Recyclable - Toner tubes.

Send to Facilities Management Recycling Office, Stop 9032.

Batteries

Recyclable - Rechargeable batteries (look for recycling seal), Nickel Cadmium, button cell, lead acid, nickel hydride.
Non-Recyclable - Alkaline batteries not accepted.

Padded Mailing Envelopes

Padded mailing envelopes and Tyvek® Envelopes: 100% FLASHSPUN HDPE (HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE) makes a Tyvek® envelope recyclable. Do not put in paper recycling. Send to Facilities Recycling Office, Box 9032.

Large Recyling Quantities

Special arrangements can be made for unexpected large quantities. Please call Facilities Management Custodial Manager at 701.777.6341 to make arrangements. If at all possible, purge files periodically to avoid especially large loads.

Don't put sharp objects (needles, syringes, lancets,etc.) in anything that will be recycled or the regular waste. This will contaminate the recycling process. Contact Student Health Services for special medical waste containers.

Runoff Water Pollution

Did you know the water running of the streets and parking lots drains directly into the river? This runoff water can pollute our water source because it is not treated like water to the sanitary sewer system.

What can you do to reduce the chances of polluting our river and coulée?

Check for and repair vehicle leaks
Recycle your motor oil. Oil may be taken to Public Works facility.
Put litter into trash receptacles.
Join Adopt-a-Parking Lot or other service volunteer group.
Never dump anything into storm drains.
Take your car to the car wash instead of washing in the driveway.