Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan launches, available online

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Purdue University’s Campus Planning and Sustainability Department today (April 22) is launching a Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan for the West Lafayette campus.

The master plan aligns with the 2018 Giant Leaps Campus Master Plan and creates a clear, measurable vision for the next five years of sustainability efforts.

“Our organization is proud to unveil a focused Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan,” said Jay Wasson, associate vice president of Physical Facilities. “We are dedicated to the persistent pursuit of sustainability efforts within Physical Facilities, and this new master plan provides the framework for us to keep working toward a more sustainable future in a manner that is aspirational but still achievable.”

Based on lessons learned over the past decade and best practices implemented by both peers and the private sector, the plan addresses the following key issues:

• Simplifies the message.
• Makes measurable, metric-based goals.
• Focuses the scope on Physical Facilities initiatives.
• Aligns with the fiscal calendar; considers funding strategies and costs of projects.
• Sets up a framework to report on progress annually.
• Builds in an update; this is a five-year plan (FY20-24).

The plan outlines 13 goals in five categories:

• Energy.

          Cut carbon emission in half.

          No net gain.

          Pursue 500 kilowatt of renewable energy.

• Water.

          Reduce water consumption by 30%.

          Develop a strategy to eliminate combined sewer overflow.

• Materials/waste.

          Recycle half of waste.

          Recycle 75%-plus of construction waste.

          Recycle 100% of institutional e-waste.

• Buildings

          LEED Silver certification for large projects.

          High performance for small projects.

• Grounds.

          Plant one tree per day.

          Sustainable landscapes for all of Purdue University.

          Double bicycle infrastructure.

“It was important for us to identify goals that are achievable, but also practical,” said Michael Gulich, director of campus planning and sustainability and university architect. “We are excited to launch our master plan and believe that pursuing these steps now will lead to more innovation and opportunities in the future.”

More information about the Sustainability Master Plan, including specific goal parameters, can be found on the new Physical Facilities Sustainability website at www.purdue.edu/physicalfacilities/sustainability.

Media contact: Rebecca Terry, communications director, Administrative Operations,  rlterry@purdue.edu