Warren Wilson College                  Case Studies

Institution:

Background:

Warren Wilson College is a four-year college that focuses on liberal arts, the environment, and community service.  The campus has a total of 1100 acres comprised of more than 28 buildings and houses.  Students are involved with on-going projects on campus and participate in parts of the implementation of the approved options and recommendations.  The college is focusing on areas of waste, recycling, heating, water conservation, and electrical use.  This case study results from an assessment done at Warren Wilson College by the Waste Reduction Technology Transfer (WRATT) staff in 1996.

Waste Reduction Activities

• Replaced showerheads and added aerators to sinks in each of the buildings.

• Let contract to replace all incandescent bulbs and T12 tubes with T8 tubes and electronic ballasts.

• Increased cardboard recycling by over 40% since 1991 level.

• Increased paper recycling by more than 50% (over 25 tons/month diverted from landfills).

• Increased insulation and caulking in five buildings.

• Heating in seven buildings has been converted from steam to independent heating and cooling units (inefficient steam heating at distant locations being reduced across campus).

Waste Reduction Annual Savings:  ($119,547)

• A contract has been let by Warren Wilson College to change lighting in 28 buildings with results in savings of $50,617 and an average simple return 2.79 years.

• An additional 50 tons per year of cardboard is being recycled with an annual savings of $2,500.  Additional paper per year is being recycled with an annual savings of $15,000.

• A reduction of 540 therms/yr. Of energy has been saved by adding insulation and recaulking.

• Five additional buildings have been converted to gas heat, which will save about 3,000 therms of energy per year.

• Water saving shower heads and faucet aerators have been added to all dorms which will have the estimated savings of $29,800.