Green Living for You and the Environment
USC Housing is committed to meeting the practical living and lifestyle needs of
our residents while preserving the environment in everything we do. We use recycled
materials and low-energy lighting and appliances in many of the dorms and apartments
to reduce both our current and future impact on our most important resources.
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Recycled Carpet
USC Housing reduces waste by using new carpet that is at least partially made from
recycled materials and recycling old carpet.
Impact: USC Housing recycles 100% of its recyclable carpet stock. Recycling
all possible materials is a requirement in USC Housing standard job scope.
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Sustainable Furniture
USC Housing reduces waste by buying furniture from "green" manufacturers committed
to limiting their environmental impact by their choices in materials, transportation
and re-use of products.
Impact: 100% of USC Housing’s furniture purchases are from green manufacturers.
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Recycling
USC Housing recycles printer cartridges, bottles and cans, plastic and glass, batteries
and ballasts. To assist our residents in recycling, we have provided recycling bins
in convenient locations in all our buildings. Housing also recycles construction
and renovation waste.
Impact: USC Housing recycles 100% of the waste that residents put in their
recycle bins. Housing waste that goes into the regular trash is collected via USC’s
waste disposal system, which currently has a 51% landfill diversion rate. Housing
recycles 100% of the recyclable waste generated by its construction and renovation
projects.
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Low-Energy Lighting
USC Housing reduces energy use by: Replacing old fixtures with new low energy lighting
fixtures, Using CFL light bulbs, Using timers and motion sensors.
Impact: USC Housing is replacing all of its lighting with low energy replacements
per FMS schedule of replacement. All common areas and utility spaces in USC Housing
utilize timers and/or motions sensors on their lights.
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Sustainable Paint
USC Housing promotes indoor environmental quality by using only low VOC (Volatile
Organic Compounds)/low odor paints that meet or exceed the standards for the Green
Sure designation.
Impact: 100% of the paint used in USC Housing is low VOC/low odor paint.
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Reduced Water Use
To conserve water USC Housing has installed low flow shower heads and aerators,
replaced all toilets with 1.6 gallon (or less) per flush models and installed water-efficient
laundry machines.
Impact: The average total home water use for each person in the U.S. is about
50 gallons a day. More water is used in the bathroom than any other place in the
home. USC Housing works with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to ensure
that all available water reduction programs and upgrades are utilized.
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Green Transportation
USC Housing uses several small electric vehicles on campus resulting in zero emissions
and reduced noise.
Impact: Of USC Housing’s 38 vehicles, 10 are electric carts, 1 is a hybrid,
and the rest are non-diesel trucks and vans.