In a bid to reduce its environmental impact, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) has been actively promoting sustainability initiatives on its campus. Spearheaded by Facilities, Planning, Engineering, and Auxiliary Enterprises, the university's Sustainability Program has been making significant strides in energy conservation and cost reduction.
According to UTHealth Houston, the institution has earned the CenterPoint SCORE program award twice, resulting in over $400,000 in rebates. The university's Sustainability Policy, aligned with UT System Policy UTS169 Sustainability Practices, guides comprehensive sustainability measures within the institution.
One of the notable sustainability projects at UTHealth Houston is the reclamation of water from air conditioning systems at the Fayez S. and Susan K. Sarofim Research Building. Scott Patlovich, assistant vice president of EHS, highlighted the cost-effective nature of repurposing hazardous waste as fuel, stating, "It’s a lot cheaper for us to send the material off for fuel blending than it is if we just send it off and ask for it to be destroyed."
The university's sustainability efforts also extend to green chemistry practices, prohibition of drain disposal of chemicals, and various campus-wide initiatives such as LED light retrofits, occupancy sensors for lights and HVAC systems, and recycling programs.
Facilities at UTHealth Houston play a crucial role in overseeing sustainability efforts, with approximately 85% of the campus's sustainability initiatives falling under the department's responsibility. Moreover, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has been actively involved in managing hazardous waste generation and implementing processes like "bulking" to repurpose materials as fuel, reducing disposal costs and salvaging their BTU value.
The university's commitment to sustainability is further reinforced by ongoing projects like the construction of the Public Health Education and Research Building, designed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. UTHealth Houston's sustainability core group, consisting of key leaders within the institution, meets quarterly to drive sustainable operations and initiatives.
For more information on UTHealth Houston's sustainability initiatives, interested individuals can visit the SHERM sustainability website.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) continues to champion sustainability as it strives to create a greener and more environmentally conscious campus for the benefit of its students and the community.
