\nNearly all lighting fixtures in USC Housing residences have been replaced by light emitting diodes (LEDs). LED bulbs use 85% less electricity than a standard halogen lamp and last 10-15 times longer.<\/p>\n
Energy Monitoring<\/em><\/strong> Shower Timers<\/em><\/strong> Low Flow Fixtures <\/em><\/strong> Dual-Flush Toilets<\/em><\/strong> Hydration Stations <\/em><\/strong> Recycling<\/strong> <\/em> E-Waste<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n E-Waste pollution is a problem in the USC Community. Although there are provided bins for recycling the most common items in the housing buildings, please refer to the Environment Health and Safety page<\/a> for more details on additional universal waste disposal.<\/p>\n Move-Out Recycling<\/em><\/strong> Furniture Recycling with IRN<\/em><\/strong> Composting<\/em><\/strong> Battery and Ink Cartridge Recycling<\/em><\/strong> Sustainable Living Apartments<\/em><\/strong> Recycled Carpet<\/strong> <\/em> Sustainable Furnitur<\/strong>e <\/em> Low VOC Paint<\/strong> <\/em> Green Cleaning Products <\/em><\/strong> Residents can start living in university housing in a sustainable manner from the very beginning of their stay by following a few tips when moving in.<\/p>\n
\nWith USC Facilities Planning and Management (FPM), USC Housing monitors meter data for water and electricity usage in a number of the residential facilities on campus and at the USC Village.\u00a0 Comparative data is used to benchmark facilities and also to facilitate conservation competition among the residential communities.\u00a0 This usage data has been shown to drive awareness and action in residents, which can reduce energy usage by up to 25%.\u00a0 Snapshots of building utility consumption are shown on the digital media displays throughout USC Housing.<\/p>\nWater<\/h3>\n
\nFive-minute shower timers were provided to all students living in on-campus apartments and suite-style residence halls. Water usage in these buildings has decreased by 20-30% from 2014 levels.<\/p>\n
\nTo conserve water, USC Housing has installed low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, as well as high-efficiency washing machines. These low-flow fixtures use 25% less water than their regular-flow counterparts.<\/p>\n
\nDual-flush toilets have been installed in all eligible units – that\u2019s nearly 1,500 dual-flush toilets. This saves up to 139,000 gallons a year, or enough water to do 6,950 loads of laundry.<\/p>\n
\nThere are 71\u00a0water-bottle filling Hydration Stations throughout USC Housing residences.\u00a0 These have prevented the disposal of 915,634 plastic bottles in the 2014-15 academic year alone. This also saves 26,000 pounds of plastic, 6.5\u00a0million gallons of water and 274,000 gallons of oil.<\/p>\nWaste Management and Recycling<\/h3>\n
\nAbout 50-70% of household waste is recyclable. Recycling bins are provided in convenient locations in all Housing buildings, allowing residents to recycle aluminum, plastic, glass, paper, printer cartridges, batteries, and ballasts. Construction and renovation waste from Housing projects is also recycled. \u00a0Check out our recycling guidelines<\/a><\/strong> to see how you can help where you live.<\/p>\n
\nWith the help of several partners, outside donation bins are provided during move-out for residents to recycle their unwanted items. All unwanted articles are diverted from landfills and given back to the community.<\/p>\n
\nWorking with \u201cIRN: The Recycling Network\u201d, USC Housing has prevented 134,000 pounds of furniture, equivalent to the combined weight of 22 elephants, from being sent to landfill. \u00a0Instead these items have been donated to US and international charities.<\/p>\n
\nComposting bins are is now available for residents in in all housing buildings. About 30% of average household waste is compostable. Composting prevents organic waste from going to landfills and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.<\/p>\n
\nCollection bins can be found in the lobbies of all USC Housing Customer Service Centers for residents to recycle their batteries and ink cartridges. After collection, USC Housing disposes of these materials responsibly.<\/p>\n
\nCardinal ‘N Gold<\/a><\/strong> is\u00a0USC\u2019s first Sustainable Living Apartment building. \u00a0A special interest community, residents are encouraged to live lightly through conserving energy and water and diverting 90% of their waste through the extensive recycling and composting program in the building.<\/p>\nResponsible Purchasing<\/h3>\n
\nUSC Housing reduces waste by purchasing carpet that is at least partially made from recycled materials, and recycling old carpet when it is replaced. Furthermore, most of the carpet is tiled, making it easy to replace one square instead of an entire room of carpet.<\/p>\n
\nUSC Housing sources furniture from manufacturers committed to limiting their environmental impacts through their choices in materials, transportation methods, and recycling and re-use of resources.<\/p>\n
\nUSC Housing promotes indoor environmental quality by using 100% low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints. VOCs are chemicals that are released to the air as paint dries. Low VOC paints release much less of these harmful chemicals.<\/p>\n
\nCleaning products used by USC Housing staff are Green Seal or EPA certified. Green cleaning products limit exposure of both staff and students to toxic chemicals often found in standard cleaning products.<\/p>\n![\"green](\"https:\/\/housing.usc.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/2016_Green_initatives_inside_HRes-01-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\nMoving-In Sustainably<\/h3>\n