Facilities Management is committed to serving as a leader in sustainability and supporting UVA's 2030 Sustainability Plan. To support the University's goals, Facilities Management has developed this departmental Sustainability Plan encompassing areas where Facilities Management is a primary decision-maker or has its own operational impact across major areas — solid waste, building energy efficiency, energy supply, fleet vehicles and purchasing, and training and communications.
Increase sustainability innovation and role-specific knowledge across Facilities Management.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include the inclusion of sustainability in New Employee Orientation sessions; development of sustainability-related performance goals; creation of sustainability trainings specific for FM, other UVA departments and external audiences; and exploration of incentive opportunities.
Increase sustainability awareness and sustainability recognition among Facilities Management staff.
Increase the visibility of FM sustainability initiatives across external audiences and interested partners.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include the formation of an FM Sustainability Plan Communications Team within the FM Sustainability Council to share information through existing department communications channels. In addition, the team will increase marketing and advertising of the ReUSE Store and pursue new projects such as the creation of wall murals and FM Sustainability Heroes trading cards.
Reduce the amount of waste material generated across Facilities Management departments, in FM workplaces and project sites and increase the landfill diversion rate of these items.
Proactively seek and support opportunities to increase landfill diversion infrastructure (e.g., recycling and compost bins), in permanent locations, on construction sites and at events.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include the creation of waste management procedures that are tailored to specific locations; completion of the installation of centralized waste disposal stations in all buildings maintained by FM Custodial Services teams; continued expansion of compost collection; creation of a new Zero Waste Event request process; and development of standard processes and oversight of construction and demolition waste.
Minimize Facilities Management material disposal associated with purchasing of products and services for FM operations.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include reduction of packaging materials; consolidation of vendor deliveries; identification of low-environmental impact products to be prioritized; and research surrounding the recycling of construction and demolition waste.
Decarbonize Facilities Management's fleet while improving safety and reducing costs.
Develop best practices to apply to all University fleets.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include assessment of FM's fleet to determine decarbonization, safety and cost reduction opportunities; and research of electrical vehicle charging infrastructure.
Support and oversee compliance with the Green Building Standards.
Reduce building energy use by 20% across the Facilities Management complex and other FM-owned spaces.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include implementation of a Building Efficiency Program-funded project to address health, safety, and energy use in the buildings across the Facilities Management complex by Spring 2023; education efforts related to replacing end-of-life fossil-fuel boilers and other key infrastructure with electric options; and creation of tools and trainings to support implementation of Green Building Standards.
Evaluate, recommend, and implement projects and new technologies to help decarbonize UVA and to expand UVA's renewable energy portfolio.
Summary of strategic actions
Strategic actions include many initiatives that are currently underway such as conversion to low-temperature hot water, a transition away from coal as a back-up fuel and exploration of geoexchange technologies. Additional actions include expansion of rooftop solar and large-scale solar panel installations and exploration of the use of a food waste digester generating methane for use by a central utility plant.
