Facilities Operations

Facilities Operations is working toward incorporating sustainable practices in their operations to help facilitate a more sustainable campus at KU. Current and planned efforts at Facilities Operations include:

Housekeeping

• In a continuing effort, traditional cleaning products are being replaced with environmentally friendly products. A partnership with 3M has allowed the FO Housekeeping to install over 300 new cleaning supply dispensers which help reduce waste.
• By the end of the year, over 1000 traditional hand soap dispensers will be replaced with environmentally friendly dispensers and soap.
• Working with KU Recycling, FO Housekeeping is beginning a pilot program for desk-side recycling this fall. The program will focus on office pack materials in eight campus buildings.
• FO Housekeeping is working to incorporate energy conservation practices into employee training.

Business Operations

• All new workstation computer purchases are Energy Star certified. Serviceable used computers are reused throughout the department in a "cascade" style. Computers are recycled at the end of their lifecycle through KU Recycling.
• Employees carpool from the FO main office and from west campus shop areas to work sites in an effort to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
• FO vehicles use either a 10% ethanol blend or 5% soy diesel blend.
• Motor oil is now purchased in bulk to help reduce the amount of packaging waste created.
• The FO Garage recycles automotive batters, used oil, used antifreeze and used refrigerants. Some oil is burned in a waste oil heater during the winter, providing supplemental heat to the Garage facility. The FO storeroom recycles fluorescent light tubes. With the help of KU Recycling, Facilities Operations recycles metals, cell phones, cardboard, computers, office pack, and furniture.