Resource use
VCU's utilities – including electricity, natural gas, water, sewage and fuel oil – are purchased and managed centrally by VCU Facilities Management, Engineering and Utilities. In an effort to conserve resources, VCU has implemented a variety of technologies and efforts to reduce natural resource consumption. VCU employees and students are also encouraged to incorporate these sustainable behaviors into their daily activities on campus to help reduce resource consumption.
Reducing energy consumption
VCU's building energy consumption accounts for nearly two-thirds of VCU's greenhouse gas emissions. To tackle this challenge, VCU plans to engage with outside experts to introduce a three-pronged strategy focusing on large, medium and small, historic buildings to reduce energy consumption. Beginning with a set of pilot projects in each building type, this approach will drive a wide range of benefits, including energy efficiency improvements, teaching and experiential learning opportunities for students, and the development of templates to facilitate acceleration of the work over time.
Water
VCU has implemented a variety of water conservation technologies to reduce water usage on both campuses and efforts to conserve and protect water quality in the local bodies of water such as the James River that ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
VCU Rice Rivers Center
VCU Rice Rivers Center, Virginia’s first U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certified building, features the following water conservation technologies:
- Urinals and water closets that use captured rainwater and grey water
- Dual-flush toilets that use 1.1 gallons per minute (gpm)
- 1.5 gpm shower heads
- 2 gpm kitchen sinks
- On-site wastewater treatment