GEF Program receives record 15 applications
The Green Energy Fee Grant Program at Western Washington University received a record 15 grant applications during the 2014-15 school year. The project funded four student-led projects totaling $61,374, and seven other projects totaling $158,361 will be seeking funding over the summer and into the 2015-16 school year.
The recently-funded projects include:
Western SORTS (Structural Outdoor Refuse Transformation System): $54,372
This grant will replace the 16 stand-alone landfill and recycle bins in Red Square with four Big-Belly brand four-stream sorting stations with compost, mixed paper and plastic/can receptacles, in addition to a solar-powered compactor for landfill waste. Each station will wirelessly monitor the amount of waste, which will save an estimated 20 to 30 percent in labor costs by reducing the number of pick-ups by Facilities Management staff.
Campus to Compost: $4,934
In spring 2015, two large composting bins were built near Facilities Management to receive all the compostable organic debris accumulated from campus. Once the compost is ready, it will be applied to the landscaping on campus. The application sites will have signs posted stating that compost was from this project. The project is expecting to retain 100 cubic yards of compostable material per year, saving an estimated $3,500 per year.
Bringing Knowledge to Plastics: $1,049
On May 12, 2015, this project showed the documentary “Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” about plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean. The film's director, Angela Sun, led a live discussion. Zero Waste Western staff were present to educate attendees on proper waste sorting techniques, and reusable water bottles, containers and shopping bags were awarded so attendees could begin reducing plastic waste in their own lives.
Aquaponics: $1,019
This grant will build an aquaponic system on the fourth floor of the Environmental Studies building using a 150 gallon tank, several rainbow trout and lettuce plants. Food production of this type uses 90 percent less water than soil agriculture, can produce four times the yields in the same amount of space and reduces the wastes produced in traditional aquaculture.
The student-funded Green Energy Fee was established in 2005 through a student vote to purchase 100-percent renewable energy for Western. In 2010, the GEF was re-authorized by students to continue buying 100-percent renewable energy and to create a $300,000 grant program to fund sustainability projects on campus.
This year, students again re-authorized the fee, which will be known as the Sustainable Action Fund beginning fall quarter 2015. The program is managed by the Office of Sustainability with oversight by the Associated Students and a committee made up of students, faculty and staff.
The next round of grant applications will be accepted during fall quarter. Check the apply page on the GEF website at the beginning of fall quarter for application deadlines.