Sustainable Clark

Clark's long history of environmental engagement and our current initiatives are clear indicators of the University's commitment to sustainability. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about Sustainable Clark and how you, too, can make a difference at Clark.

News

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction on Track
As of the calendar reporting year 2010, Clark University is on track to meet and exceed its interim goal of a 20 percent reduction over 2005 emissions levels by 2015, and therefore closer to the ultimate goal of climate neutrality. Total GHG emissions in 2010 were 15,950.1 MT CO2e. This represents a 7.6% decrease from total 2009 GHG emissions of 17,258.9 MT CO2e, and continues the year-to-year trend that Clark has achieved since the baseline year of 2005. More >>

Clark's Bold Climate Action Plan—Net Neutral by 2030
Clark University released its Climate Action Plan in 2009, detailing mitigation strategies for the University to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening many of its existing sustainability practices. The plan sets two goals with respect to climate neutrality: First is an interim goal of reducing emissions to 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2015. The second goal is to achieve climate neutrality (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) by the year 2030.

Our strategy draws on Clark's excellence as a research university and upon the engagement, creativity and leadership of students, staff, faculty and all other members of our community,” said President John Bassett, who became a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment  in June 2007.

Read the press release

Clark plans a green future, Worcester Telegram & Gazette 12/16/2009

What's New

More Recycling Bins

Thanks to the generous support of the Clark University Student Council and the efforts of dedicated students in the Recycling Initiative of the CSC, Sustainable Clark was able to purchase additional recycling bins. The bins have been located in under-served areas throughout campus, where recycling was not as convenient as it could be. The addition of over 200 new recycling bins should make it much easier for Clarkies to recycle paper, all plastic #1-7, glass bottles and metal cans. The financial support from CUSC has been structured as a loan, so it is cost-neutral for Clark. This is because clean paper and cardboard are an income stream for the University; they are a valuable commodity that we sell at profit. By increasing our capacity to recycle with new bins, the increased income to the Recycling Center will repay CUSC over a period of 10 years. A win-win-win for Clark, CUSC, and the planet!

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Two sparkling new Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging stations on campus invite you to plug in your EV! The EV Charging Stations are the first in Worcester, and among the first west of Boston. A 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) grant from the U.S. Dept.of Energy administered by the Clark-based Institute for Energy and Sustainability awarded the stations to Clark University, and they were installed in December 2011. You can find the EV Charging Stations in the Maywood St. parking lot and at Lasry Bioscience parking lot. Both are on the 'Chargepoint America' online map, so that EV drivers can find charging stations across the country. These stations are only for plug-in EV's, not hybrids. Most plug-in vehicles require 3 hours or more for a full charge, and the Clark EV Charging Stations are available to everyone. Bring on the electric cars!

Clark Dining Services Brings Home the Gold

A collaborative effort by students Sharon Bort ('14) and Anthony Oduro (GSOM '12) netted Clark Dining Services the Dept. of Environmental Protection MassRecycle's first place 'Green Binnie' award for food establishments across the entire state. Over 54 applicants vied for the annual prize, awarded to the most sustainable food business. Clark's composting effort (over 205 tons in 2011), as well as recycling, from-scratch food prep, trayless dining and a host of other green features put Clark at the top!

Vending machines

Drink vending machines are new Energy Star models, which reduce energy use by up to 55%. In addition, they are on timers to shut down energy-hogging refrigeration coils at night. Machines may appear dark but they are still ON – just SLEEPING! And drinks will stay cold due to super insulation in the new Energy Star models.

Waste Audit 2011

Clark Eco Reps, members of the Recycling Crew, the Clark Sustaianbility Collaborative and Residential Advisors got down and dirty with your garbage this past November. You might have seen them out on Red Square, digging through a day's waste collected from all the residence halls? The volunteers sorted and weighed the garbage to identify what could have been recycled, composted or donated and how much was really and truely landfill. The surprising results? Clarkies in the halls generate over 650 pounds of waste EVERY DAY. Of that total, 22% by weight could have been recycled (clean paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and plastic #1-7); 41% by weight was compostable (food, soiled paper) and 36% was rightfully destined for landfill.(Of course, since Clark does not collect compost in the halls, that category says more about consumption and food waste patterns than anything else - but the Eco Reps are working on a hall composting program, too!) The protocol for waste audits requires that items are weighed rather than counted, so while an empty plastic bottle weighs very little, half a pizza weighs more. Consider that when thinking about the percentages from the 2011 audit. The good news? The volunteers also weighed what was collected from the recycling bins in the halls, and in one week, Clarkies in the halls recycled 556 pounds! Why not add that 22% to the recycle bins and get it out of landfills? For more information on the 2011 waste audit, ask an Eco Rep; contact.EcoReps@gmail.com.

Water efficient toilets

Water efficient showerheads and toilets have been installed across campus. This new technology will help Clark reduce its water consumption by 4 million gallons a year! Dual flush, low tank volume and other appropriate toilet models are in use; low flow showerheads provide the same shower experience while reducing flow from 2.5 gallons per minute to 1.75 GPM.

Sierra's Cool Schools 2011 ranks Clark University #17 in the US

Right up there with colleges and universities well-known for their sustainability features, Clark's green beating heart shines through! We might not have a giant solar array, but Clark has a long and strong tradition of stewardship and innovation, on and off campus. Our dozens of student-led initiatives and deep institutional committment to sustainability convinced the prestegious Sierra Club that Clark is a very Cool School. Read all about it here: http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201109/coolschools/all-schools.aspx