Davidson is implementing many sustainability initiatives in an effort to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The programs we are working on now or have recently implemented are outlined below. Previous sustainability initiatives can be found here.

Recycled Content Paper Policy

As of May 4, 2009 all paper purchases will be at least 50% post consumer recycled content.
In the 2007-2008 fiscal year, less than 30% of Davidson's paper was recycled content. In the 2008-2009 fiscal year about 70% of paper was recycled content. This new policy will allow the 2009-2010 to reach 100% recycled paper.

Food and Yard Waste Composting

The composter is up and running (April 1), about 90% of waste from Vail Commons is being composted.
In the summer of 2009 a facility will be built to house the composter and allow for more product inputs and therefore greater output. Additionally, a pulper (cuts waste into tiny pieces) will be installed in the Union Cafe to allow the compostable plates, cups, and cutlery to be composted.

Paper Reduction

Davidson has reduced paper consumption all over campus!

• Business Services no longer prints monthly budget reports, saving 10,000 sheets of paper per month.
•  Plant prints only a monthly summary page for work orders, instead of printing every work order.
• ITS implemented PawPrint, a print management system, in Belk Student Computing Lab, the E.H. Little Library, and the Alvarez College Union to help control student printing. This program has saved over 25,000 sheets of paper since November.

Recycling

Davidson's recycling program has made major improvements.

• The Office of Sustainability teamed up with RLO to provide individual recycling bins for each dorm room on campus, and larger bins for Martin Court apartments.
• Athletic events now have recycling bins, sponsored by Coca-Cola.
• Additional outdoor recycling bins have been added around Patterson Court.