Successes Since 2007

Leadership

Developed a sustainability vision statement to guide the Committee’s work and in the 2017-2025 YSPH Sustainability Action Plan
Common Ground High School Urban Farm Workdays
New Haven Land Trust Community Garden Clean-ups
New Haven Farms Community Service Days
Green prizes for BYOs at school-wide social events
International Coast Clean-up Days

Healthy Meeting Toolkit created 2016
Created a healthy food restaurant list for new YSPH students
Use and promotion of local (and preferably environmentally responsible) catering vendors
Healthy Pizza student project 2017, led to university-wide implementation
Installed water bottle fountains-hydration stations in common spaces
Water filtration dispensers have replaced most bottled water units
Conversion to water pitchers to replace single water bottles at school-wide events; replicated by most departments
Eliminated soda, pizza and sweets from Dean’s Office-hosted events
Advocated for (recent) healthier vending options; ongoing
Health Challenge 2016 – to encourage physical activity and reduce energy use
Tobacco-Free Yale/YSPH champion

Expanding the Yale Climate Change and Health Initiative (CCHI) as a means of addressing climate change and health on a global scale

Swaps programs: Supplies, Clothing, Holiday wrapping supplies
Community impact: Common Ground HS Urban Farm Workdays, New Haven Land Trust Community Garden Clean-ups, Community Carbon Fund fundraiser, International Coastal Clean-Up Days, New Haven Farms Day of Service, Massaro Farms Day of Service

Conducted night-time energy survey and audit in May of 2014
Yale Carbon Charge Pilot Project participant 2015-2016
Yale “Deep Dive” Energy Investigation participant 2018
LEED Certification was obtained for the 6th and 7th floors
The 7th floor received the CT Green Building Award
LEED Requirements for new labs have been met
Picnic tables installed to promote outdoor use
Plumbing and electrical upgrades requested in four high-traffic restrooms and common rooms

Additional bike racks installed
Promoting the Commuter Benefits Program, and use of Yale-sponsored mobility initiatives including ZipCar, Zagster and Yale Shuttle services (continuous)
Encouraging tele/video-conferencing to reduce carbon footprint from travel

Distributed BYO campaign giveaways; reusable food containers and utensils to entire YSPH community
SWAY student project gradually removing disposable utensils from seminars
Conducted a $5000 paper reduction competition and saw 38% reduction in paper usage in an 8-month period
Implemented PaperCut for paper waste minimization and monitoring
Administrative offices’ conversion to flash drives, file share software, and YSPH intranet to replace volumes of paper documents distributed annually
YSPH flash drive giveaways to all faculty and staff
Lab recycling program implemented on 3 floors
Green Lab Certification (highest level) achieved in 3 labs, and counting
Furniture re-use, repurpose practice
Green Purchasing promotion
Central toner recycling site
YSPH travel mug sale/education campaign to replace paper cups 2009
Office Supply Swaps held annually or semi-annually

Personal printers policy
A/V upgrades in conference rooms and classrooms to facilitate paperless meetings
Distance learning initiatives