Monthly Newsletter
December 2020
Campus Operational Highlights
Princeton Solar Expansion Supports Carbon Neutrality Goal

Princeton University is expanding its renewable energy generation on campus by installing eight new solar projects. The expansion supports the University’s ambitious goal to achieve net carbon neutrality 2046.

The solar arrays will be connected to the Princeton microgrid and will more than triple the University’s current solar photovoltaic (PV) generating capacity from about 5.5% to 19% of current electric energy use. The new solar PV arrays will be built above three large parking decks, one surface parking lot, three fields, and the roof of the High-Performance Computing Research Center (HPCRC). The field mounted solar arrays will be installed with bifacial solar modules that can collect energy on both sides of the solar cells, thereby increasing their efficiency and energy yield. ''

PV Expansion Over Parking Aerial View. Photo courtesy of the Facilities Organization.
Expanding Geo-exchange Technology at Princeton

As part of our goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2046, Princeton University is advancing our use of geo-exchange technology. Investing in geo-exchange projects, with enough capacity to serve the entire campus, will enable Princeton to phase out nonrenewable energy sources, including natural gas used today to produce steam heat. We are proud of these geo-exchange projects, excited to explain the technology, and what this means for the University.

Graphic courtesy of the Facilities Organization.
Building Services Pilots Plastic Pipette Recycling 

After several years of planning, Building Services has successfully recycled a trial load of plastic pipette boxes with the plastics recycler, VISH Group, in Flemington, NJ. The initial amount recycled totaled 990 pounds which is almost half a ton of pipette boxes kept out of the landfill.

“This pilot project demonstrates a strong commitment on the part of the University as a whole to reduce waste wherever possible. Hopefully, it will spur others to think about waste reduction in their areas,” said David Oettinger, Recycling and Waste Manager of Facilities’ Building Services.

Gaylord box filled with plastic pipette boxes. Photo courtesy of David Oettinger
Campus News & Announcements
Eric and Wendy Schmidt endow new professorship of Indigenous studies at Princeton
A new professorship of Indigenous studies, endowed by a $5 million gift from Wendy Schmidt and her husband, Eric Schmidt, a 1976 alumnus, will build on Princeton’s interdisciplinary strengths and expand its faculty expertise in an area of study that is critically important to the University.
Currie Barron and Tom Barron ’74 establish research fund to preserve biodiversity
Princeton University has established an endowed fund with a gift from Currie C. and Thomas A. Barron that will significantly increase support for environmental research related to biodiversity and build upon the University’s decades-long leadership in studying and protecting the rich variety of Earth’s ecosystems.

Photo by Aimee Giese
Student News
Apply Now to be an EcoReps Leader for 2021!
The Princeton University Ecology Representative Program (EcoReps) was founded in 2004 and is hosted by the Office of Sustainability (OOS). The mission of the EcoReps is to promote the integration of sustainability into life on campus in alignment with the Sustainability Action Plan. Through their efforts, the EcoReps aim to see every Princeton student adopt at least one aspect of sustainable living into their daily lives, and to understand the value of sustainability for themselves, their communities, and the environment. Applications are due by Friday, December 18
Explore our New Alumni Database!
The Office of Sustainability recently launched a Google spreadsheet of alumni working in sustainability and related environmental careers who have indicated their willingness to be contacted by students. Students can browse the database for companies/organizations they admire and connect with alumni, either in person or virtually. Students are encouraged to reach out to alumni on the list with any career-related questions. Think of it as a more easily searchable version of TigerNet!

Please note only current students with a valid princeton.edu email are able to request access to the spreadsheet. We will also make the spreadsheet available to Alumni upon request.
Tigers Go Green Blog Highlights
Sustainable Meals for Busy Students - series created by student group, Greening Dining

Composting at Home and Learn to Recycle Right by Claire Wayner '22

Studying Sustainably series by Lazarena Lazarova '21


Tigers Go Green is a sustainability news and information platform curated by the Office of Sustainability and Princeton’s EcoReps. TGG covers campus, local, national and global sustainability stories and shares information for readers to take action on any scale. Interested in contributing to Tigers Go Green? Contact the Blog Editors!
Your Favorite Spot
Welcome to “Your Favorite Spot,” the video series where Princeton University students, faculty and staff write about their favorite outdoor spot on campus and, through the magic of video, we transport you there. Watch our two latest videos:

Firestone Plaza
President Christopher Eisgruber wrote to us about Firestone Plaza's inspirational architecture and landscaping and described it as a place where one could "take a seat and admire the brilliant collection of people who make up our community.”

Vice President of Campus Life, Rochelle Calhoun who wrote about her connection to Powers Field: "We cheer as One, we lament as One, and here we understand that our fortune raises and falls together. We are One in those moments spent at Powers Field.... I think that Powers Field brings out the very best in us all."

This series is narrated by Claire Wayner '22 and videos are produced by Jared Flesher.
Events
Princeton Sustainability Committee Meeting
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM EDT
Virtual Zoom meeting

The third Princeton Sustainability Committee (PSC) meeting of the academic year will feature student updates and the student group, Mend will lead us in a fun Craftivism Circle where we will learn about and discuss fast fashion and then learn how to reuse items at home to sustainably wrap our holiday gifts. In preparation for the meeting, here are some everyday items we encourage you to gather (please don’t feel like you need to go out and buy something new!) and have on hand during the meeting:
  • Scissors, tape and/or glue
  • Paper bags
  • Newspapers
  • Old t-shirts or other clothing items that can be cut with scissors
  • Markers, crayons, colored pencils or paint
  • Stickers or other decorative flair
  • Ribbon or string scraps
  • Wrapping paper (or any other paper) scraps (to make bows!)
  • Any other scrap textiles, fabrics, or paper

PSC meetings are open to all Princeton students, faculty and staff and are hosted by the Office of Sustainability.

Advanced registration is required.
Event Archives
Due to the virtual nature of this semester, many events have been recorded and are available for public viewing. We invite you to catch up on any virtual events you may have missed! Below you will find video archives from The Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (C-PREE) and High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI).