"Charting the Path to Sustainability: Princeton University's Environmental Commitments. Vol2"

 Cultivate Healthy and Resilient Habitats

Objective

Apply a restorative ecosystem approach in landscape management to regenerate healthy habitats across campus and invite engagement with nature.

Short and long-term objective

The Princeton campus is expanding, prompting a heightened focus on fostering healthy habitats that seamlessly blend with the campus environment and are better equipped to withstand the challenges of climate change. Initially, our attention will be on enhancing the connectivity and quality of forested areas on campus, aligning with statewide initiatives aimed at facilitating wildlife movement across landscapes in search of essential resources such as shelter, food, and mates. Our intention is to gradually extend this approach to encompass other types of habitats.

Princeton's progress to date

In the past ten years, Princeton has adopted an ecosystem-centered approach to managing its landscape. Our efforts have centered on preserving soil integrity, restoring ecological balance, minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals, promoting natural filtration of stormwater, prioritizing native plant species, and conserving water resources. Since 2008, we have expanded or improved forested habitats by 12 acres, effectively extending the woodlands surrounding Lake Carnegie onto campus along stream corridors. This expansion has contributed to ecological harmony by linking previously fragmented natural areas. Key to this endeavor was the restoration of meanders and pools in sections of the deteriorated Washington Road stream, along with the removal of invasive species. Additionally, we have reduced the use of pesticides in landscape management by 48 percent since 2008.

                                                  Washington Road Stream Restoration

Campus Action Items

Build in a more compact manner and engage in habitat preservation, restoration and enhancement, while integrating other land-use priorities (stormwater management, recreation, etc.).

Invite engagement with nature and the outdoors through building and landscape design strategies, communications during key orientation programs, and coordination with various campus health and wellness programs.

Develop and implement a forest stewardship plan.

Continue to develop and refine the Princeton Index for Land-use and Ecological Assessment (PILEA) habitat quality assessment tool.

Continue to develop and implement an integrative pest management plan across campus.

Advance evidence-based sustainable habitat and landscape management solutions by actively encouraging students, faculty and staff to develop studies and recommendations as well as rigorous tracking and assessment tools.

Scale action beyond Princeton through information-sharing and collaboration with, for example, organizations including the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ) program.

Increase Commuters Using Alternatives to Single-Occupancy Vehicles

Objective

Nearly double the percentage of alternative commuters by mid-century and expand the use of campus as an incubator for lifelong sustainable transportation habits.

Short and Long Term Objectives

Princeton’s strategies support commuters in transitioning toward more sustainable transportation modes through an expanded transportation demand management (TDM) program called Revise Your Ride. The University also is expanding access to on-campus and regional transportation services and supporting more widespread availability and use of electric vehicles.

Princeton’s Progress To Date

Princeton’s efforts to date to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) commuters to campus through its TDM incentive program have exceeded expectations. Since 2008, the program has contributed to shifting the behavior of hundreds of former SOV drivers toward alternative modes, including rail and bus transit, carpools, vanpools, and biking or walking.

As of 2021, 593 faculty and staff members and graduate students— or 6 percent of all eligible commuters — use more sustainable alternatives to SOVs, contributing to improved regional air quality, reduced traffic congestion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Princeton also offers affordable car share programs that are increasing in popularity

Campus Action Items

Expand transportation demand management strategies, including increased access to on-campus and regional transit services, and enhanced on-campus and regional cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

Track and reduce, where possible, greenhouse gas emissions from all campus transportation and fleet operations.

Advance evidence-based transportation solutions by encouraging students, faculty and staff experts to engage as advisors and researchers using the campus as a lab.

Encourage lifelong sustainable transportation habits by promoting walking, biking, videoconferencing, vehicle sharing, consolidated trips and other alternatives.

Scale action beyond Princeton through information-sharing and partnerships with, for example, local municipalities, regional transit authorities, and peer networks.

Reduce Waste and Expand Sustainable Purchasing

Objective

Strive for zero waste through behavioral and operational strategies that include reduction, reuse and recycling criteria in purchasing decisions, and expand these criteria to encourage social and environmental benefits in the full life cycle of purchased goods and services.

Short and Long-Term Objectives

Given the pressing need for a culture of responsible consumption, the objective is to set ambitious waste reduction and recycling targets, while linking what they purchase with what is reusable and/or recyclable.

Part of responsible consumption also includes ensuring diversity in the vendor pool and addressing social and environmental justice dimensions of products and services. Such concerns can encompass resource extraction, manufacturing, labor and/or disposal practices.

To advance planning, their strategies include a new baseline campus waste study to inform short- and long-term targets.

Princeton’s Progress To Date

Since 2008, the results of Princeton’s efforts to reduce waste and move toward an ethos of conscious consumption have been mixed. The challenges that remain require full community engagement to overcome.

While the overall campus landfill waste volume has decreased by 46 percent since 2008, a significant portion of the reduction can be attributed to COVID-19, given partially remote employee schedules. At the same time,  recycling rate for consumer items (including mixed paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic) as of 2020 dropped to 14 percent, which is below the rate it was in 2008. Increasing the rate has been challenging due to contamination of our recycling stream with food scraps and items that are not recyclable in today’s global markets, as well as inconsistencies in messaging and containers. Given the behavior and infrastructure challenges, general consumption and disposal norms have proven stubbornly tough to shift.

At the same time, they have increased the diversion rate of construction and demolition debris, one of their largest waste streams, from approximately 25 percent in 2008 to 98.2 percent as of 2021. They now are aiming to substantially increase reuse of soil on campus from construction projects.

The Greening Move-Out program collects unwanted dorm items from end of year move-out and donates them to local organizations or sells them in the fall to new and returning students.

Campus Action Items

Conduct a campus-wide waste audit, with focused studies of Move-out and Reunions, to develop informed waste diversion and reduction targets and strategies.

Study the feasibility of a materials-sorting facility on campus.

Advance sustainable procurement through University policies and practices, with the potential to catalyze environmental and social change in supply chains, from producer to consumer.

Encourage responsible campus events by consistently applying sustainable event guidelines that include preferred caterers, menus and waste-reduction strategies.

Increase our recycling rate of consumer items through education, standardizing receptacles and labeling, and by returning to multi-stream recycling to reduce contamination.

Reduce recycling contamination by expanding the collection of food scraps beyond the current dining hall composting program to other strategic locations on campus.

Increase reuse of a broader range of items on campus through expanding what is collected by the Resource Recovery Program, and optimizing the student Move-out and Resale program, among other efforts.

Increase reuse of soil from construction projects by expanding the soil reuse yard, minimizing the environmental burden of transporting soil off campus and importing new soil.

Continue to divert edible food to the community in the efforts to reduce food waste.

Continue award-winning construction and demolition debris recycling program.

Continue to expand resource conservation strategies, including composting all leaves and trimmings on-site; reducing unnecessary paper usage; responsibly recycling electronics and accessories; and extending the lifespan of textiles through clothing swaps, repair options and donations, among many others.

Align effective sustainable purchasing and waste management practices across campus through coordinated departmental action plans.

Advance evidence-based sustainable purchasing and waste solutions by actively encouraging students, faculty and staff to use the campus as a living lab.

Reinforce Princeton’s purchasing and waste goals during key programs, including orientation for all students, faculty and staff; Move-in and Move-out; Princeton Preview for undergraduates; visiting weekends for graduate students; residential life opportunities; athletic events; vendor supply fairs and other events.

Scale action beyond Princeton through engagement with various organizations such as the National Waste & Recycling Association, the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, the Post-Landfill Action Network, and the Stockholm Resilience Center, among others.

Summary and Conclusion

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of New Jersey, Princeton University emerges not only as a bastion of academic brilliance but also as a trailblazer in sustainable practices. From the towering spires of its historic buildings to the lush expanses of its campus greenery, sustainability is woven into the very fabric of Princeton's identity. The university's commitment to environmental stewardship is evident in its multifaceted approach, which encompasses a diverse array of initiatives aimed at minimizing its ecological footprint and nurturing a harmonious relationship with nature. Through cutting-edge research endeavors, collaborative partnerships, and hands-on engagement with the local community, Princeton is leading the charge towards a greener, more sustainable future. From pioneering energy-saving technologies to championing eco-friendly transportation options, the university stands as a beacon of innovation and inspiration in the realm of sustainability. With every initiative and policy, Princeton reaffirms its dedication to preserving the planet for future generations, setting a high standard of excellence for institutions worldwide to follow.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Princeton University's unwavering dedication to sustainability paints a vivid picture of hope and possibility in an increasingly environmentally conscious world. As we reflect on the university's remarkable achievements and pioneering spirit, we are reminded of the transformative power of collective action and visionary leadership. Moving forward, let us draw inspiration from Princeton's exemplary practices and join hands in cultivating a more sustainable future for our planet. With determination, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility, we can follow in Princeton's footsteps and pave the way towards a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.