EH&S used sustainable methods to reduce, reuse, renew, and recycle, promoting balance between people, materials, energy, and the environment.

EH&S conserved enough energy to power the department’s overhead lights for three and one-half months by shutting down idle computers. EH&S staff reduced the department’s electrical use by fifteen percent and maintained that reduction through 2014. As an ISU van pool driver, one staff member demonstrated that small efforts can create meaningful results. That van pool saved a combined 127,500 road miles among the seven passengers traveling to and from work.

EH&S fosters green efforts through recycling

• Glass
• Cardboard, paper, and telephone books 
• Ferrous and non-ferrous metals
• Used oil
• Fluorescent lamps
• Ballasts

EH&S re-purposed solvent drums and totes from the Iowa Department of Corrections to manage laboratory waste disposal and cardboard recycling. EH&S also redistributed 545 containers of reagent-grade chemicals and solvents to research laboratories, diverting materials from commercial disposal.