Arizona State University Sustainability Operations Fiscal Year 2021 Review

Sustainability Operations Arizona State University Fiscal Year 2021 Review leading-edge “ ASU’s sustainable operations are driven by our charter and our university-wide commitment to global impact.

”

Michael M. Crow ASU President

First in Sierra Magazine Coolest Schools rankings Rated Platinum in AASHE STARS v2.2

Outdoor classroom at the ASU Polytechnic campus

Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings No. 1 in the U.S., No. 9 Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review 1 in the world

“We are a global leader in sustainability for a purpose.”

Morgan R. Olsen ASU Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

The Arizona State University community continued to accelerate its commitment to sustainability in 2021 and achieved:

• No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 9 in the world in the University Impact Rankings from Times Higher Education for work supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

• No. 1 in Sierra Magazine’s Coolest School rankings • A Platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

Solar panels on the Student Pavilion roof

These recognitions reflect ASU’s comprehensive approach to sustainability across operations, academics, research and community engagement that stems from an ingrained and expanding culture of sustainability and a focus on innovation and solutions to the world’s economic, environmental and social challenges.

“ASU was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 9 in the world by Times Higher Education for our work supporting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals,” said Morgan R. Olsen, ASU executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. “We remain a global leader in developing sustainable communities, clean water and energy solutions and more as we help create a healthy, positive future for the planet.”

This annual review summarizes ASU’s continued efforts in fiscal year 2021, from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, to achieve its operational sustainability goals: circular resource system, climate positive, collaborative action, community success, food reconnection, optimized water, personal action, and resilience and regeneration.

Circular resource system A circular resource system achieves zero waste by adapting which goods we purchase and maximizing their use before sending them back into the economy for the most productive subsequent use possible.

ASU waste diversion rate FY 2021

ASU continues to make progress in landfill waste reduction. ASU’s diversion rate was 41.3%, a minor decrease from last fiscal year. ASU’s aversion rate rose significantly from 22% to 38% over its FY 2008 baseline.

While overall waste was reduced, diverted material fell more than landfilled waste, especially at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix and West campuses and the ASU@Lake Havasu site. The ASU Polytechnic and Tempe campuses experienced less variance.

Increased diversion of motor oil, electronic waste, green waste and lightbulbs led to the overall decline in diverted materials. This underscores the pivotal role of centralization and operational partnerships.

These trends indicate that while fewer people were on our campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic to generate waste, they chose disposables for those activities.

Their behavior is consistent with a social trend that believes disposables are safer.

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Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

Landfilled 4,038 tons 58.7%

Diverted 2,843 tons 41.3%

ASU waste diversion rate and on-campus students (FTE) 50%

90,000

45%

80,000

40%

70,000

Diversion rate

35%

60,000

30%

50,000

25% 40,000

20%

30,000

15% 10%

20,000

5%

10,000

0%

On-campus students

FY 2007 – FY 2021

0 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020

Total diversion rate

FY2021

On-campus students

ASU waste composition FY 2007 – FY 2021

12,000

10,000

Tons

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021

Diverted

Landfill

Milestones:

• Adapt: In response to COVID-19, Sun Devil Dining offered a to-go service using

compostable and reusable containers. The Zero Waste department installed 18 newly designed compost-recycle dual-litter containers around the Memorial Union and Hassayampa dining halls for the fall 2020 semester.

• Donate: 34 tons of donations were collected during FY 2021 through residence hall donation bins, the Treasures for Teachers program and the students’ move-out Ditch the Dumpster program.

• Green waste: Green waste increased by 20% to an all-time high, with 1,261 tons diverted across the ASU Polytechnic, Tempe and West campuses.

• Serve: The Zero Waste department refurbished, replaced or installed 143 dual-litter Compost and recycle bins on campus

bins, or about 25% of all bins.

Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

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Climate positive Since FY 2019, ASU has maintained climate neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions1.

This was implemented several years before ASU’s 2025 commitment date to recognize the increasing severity of the climate crisis. However, this action does not represent an endpoint. ASU will continue to reduce its gross emissions from all scopes. Compared to FY 2007, ASU has reduced net emissions (Scopes 1, 2 and 32) by 94% per 1,000 gross square feet of building space and 93% per student.

Tree canopy on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus

ASU accomplished climate neutrality through a portfolio approach, including:

• Carbon offsets coupled with local tree plantings, in partnership with the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

• Purchase of renewable energy and renewable-energy certificates from large-scale off-site generation facilities.

• Renewable energy with on-site solar generation.

• Sustainable building design and construction.

1

ASU's Scope 1 emissions result primarily from combusting natural gas to generate heat and electricity for university buildings and vehicles. Scope 2 emissions come from external utility providers that supply electricity and chilled water to ASU.

2

Scope 3 emissions primarily occur in third-party commuting and air travel associated with ASU operations.

ASU net greenhouse gas emissions and building space FY 2007 – FY 2021 30

25

20

20 15 15 10 10 5

5

0

0 FY2007

FY2008

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

Net emissions / 1,000 GSF

4

Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

FY2014

FY2015

FY2016

FY2017

FY2018

Total building space GSF

FY2019

FY2020

FY2021

Gross square footage (in millions)

Net GHG (MTCDE) per 1,000 GSF

25

Hayden Library

Climate positive Milestones:

• Hayden Library’s renovation earned a LEED Platinum

• Realized $3 million in utility savings in FY 2021

• The Wexford Phoenix Biosciences Core

• Received 202,481 MWh of electricity through

certification. The project involved careful reuse of the existing building, allowing the library to retain its original character. Upgraded glazing, lighting and HVAC systems enabled the library to reduce energy expenses by nearly 50%.

Building 1 was completed and earned LEED Gold certification. The saguaro cactus inspired the building’s innovative design with geometric ribs that shade the structure to mitigate solar radiation.

through investments in campus energy efficiency made through the Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund.

Additionally, SIRF has invested $1.8 million in new energy efficiency and campus engagement projects during FY 2021. large-scale solar and wind renewable-energy purchase agreements, enough to power approximately 17,000 Arizona homes for a year.

• Installed 90 on-site solar arrays on ASU campuses since 2004, with a 24.2 MWdc-equivalent rated power output.

Wexford design inspired by nature

Percent change in total building space, on-campus students and total net emissions FY 2021 vs. FY 2007 60% 40%

Percemt chamge

20% 0% -20% -40% -60% -80% Total building space

On-campus students

Total net emissions MTCDE

Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

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Collaborative action Collaborative action involves multiple departments’ interdisciplinary efforts to advance ASU’s operational sustainability progress and integrate operational sustainability with its research, education and public service missions. ASU embeds sustainability into departments’ daily activities through initiatives, personnel, programs, policies and procedures.

Purchasing Toolkit for

Sustainable Promotional Materials

Successful examples of collaborative action include:

Produced by ASU Staff Council

Campus activities

• The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory was launched with an audacious goal of transforming the world for a better future. The lab comprises a new college with three individual schools — the School of Sustainability, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the new School of Complex Adaptive Systems — and a major research institute and practice arm devoted to solutions. The lab will work to keep our planet habitable and enhance the options for future generations to thrive.

• The Novus Innovation Corridor earned Arizona’s first LEED Gold for

Neighborhood Developments certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The corridor will feature walkable streets, proximity to public transit and compact development.

• Installed 22 electric vehicle charging ports. There now are 98 charging ports available for use across ASU’s four campuses in metropolitan Phoenix.

• Multiple departments on the ASU Fleet Electrification Task Force worked to

continue the transition of ASU’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles by purchasing five plug-in electric vehicles.

The Staff Council Sustainability Committee developed a Sustainable Promotional Materials Brochure that assists staff members in purchasing swag and promotional items more sustainably.

• 30 Sustainable Staff Event Planners were trained in FY 2021, representing 24 departments and offices throughout ASU.

• The Restore the Earth Festival celebrated Earth Day 2021 with 16 student organizations and departments, 130 hours of planning and 160 attendees.

Community efforts

• Sustainable Cities Network’s Project Cities program partnered with the city

of Peoria and the town of Clarkdale on 20 applied projects with 307 graduate and undergraduate students. The projects promoted research and recommendations on various topics, such as strategic planning for sustainability, affordable housing and sustainable waste management.

• ASU launched a long-term partnership with

Salt River Project on Communities of the Future to advance education and workforce and create sustainability and technology innovation.

ASU paper use in recycled content FY 2021

• A partnership between College of Integrative Sciences

and Arts students, faculty, staff and alumni, Facilities Development and Management staff and Wild at Heart raptor rescue relocated four burrowing owls. The owls were rescued and relocated from construction sites in the region and brought to the ASU Polytechnic campus.

This project creates a living conservation laboratory so that students can add to the field’s understanding of behavior, biology and habitat needs.

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Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

26%

0% Recycled content 10% Recycled content

63%

30% Recycled content

9%

100% Recycled content

2%

Community success ASU measures its success not by whom it excludes but by whom it includes and how they succeed. Community success examples include:

• During FY 2021, ASU’s total spending of $1.47 billion included 14.25% toward

federally recognized small businesses. The university also spent 6.88% with Arizona-defined small businesses.

• ASU administered nearly 200,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses at ASU’s Phoenix Municipal Stadium and Desert Financial Arena.

• ASU developed the state’s first saliva-based COVID-19 test and operated multiple testing sites across Arizona with a capacity to process 16,000 tests per week.

• ASU’s in-state student population demographics continue to reflect the economic

Students promoting sustainable activities

diversity of Arizona’s population.

First-year student enrollment has grown across all populations First-year enrollment by race/ethnicity — fall 2002 to fall 2021 18,000 16,000

Unknown

14,000

International

12,000

Two or More

10,000

Pacific Islander

8,000

American Indian

6,000

Black Asian

4,000

Hispanic

2,000 2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

White

2002

0

Food reconnection ASU seeks to ensure the community is connected with the need for food equity, access and sustainable food choices, such as plant-forward, organic and Fair Trade-certified options.

Starting with Sun Devil Dining and incorporated across the enterprise, ASU offers many programs and tools to achieve food system sustainability.

ASU Arboretum Campus Harvest

• Fertilized 138 date palms at the ASU Polytechnic campus with 2,400 pounds of organic fertilizer made on campus by ASU researcher Zhihao Chen using local food waste.

• Harvested 860 pounds of dates and donated them to student events, the Iskashitaa Refugee Network, the Free Farm Stand event and the ASU United Way fundraiser.

• Hosted three harvesting and date sales events at the ASU Polytechnic Date Grove.

Dates ready for harvesting

• Organized 265 volunteers and 894 volunteer hours.

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Garden Commons The Garden Commons is a multifunctional outdoor classroom that embraces sustainable design and focuses on local food systems and community gardening. The garden features 18 raised garden beds, a resource room, a compost area, a citrus orchard and an outdoor pavilion. This space promotes the value of holistic food systems for all students through shared learning, cultural inclusion and personal connections.

The garden has:

• Donated 356 pounds of organic produce to local food banks and students.

• Hosted three hybrid-learning courses that used the garden as an outdoor classroom for hands-on learning.

• Logged 586 volunteer hours with 120 participants.

• Managed 10 events with 258 participants totaling 506 hours of engagement.

• Trained three Student Ambassadors who contributed 39 hours of volunteer work in all aspects of the garden.

Pitchfork Pantry

• Served 2,100 students with weekend pop-up pantries.

Sun Devil Dining

• Produced eight sustainability displays in the dining halls for Campus Sustainability Month and Earth Month and hosted five events.

• The Daily Root station at residential dining halls featured creative recipes with products from plant-based food companies, such as Daiya, Field Roast and Sweet Earth, to encourage students to try plant-forward meals.

• The Engrained Café earned a 2 Star certification from the Green Restaurant® Association, reflecting achievements in education, energy, food, water and waste.

Optimized water Optimizing ASU’s water use involves applying a systems approach to use the correct quantity and quality of water for the proper purpose at the right time.

Access to clean water is an increasingly critical global and Southwest regional issue.

ASU conducts research, education and engagement in the water domain and works to optimize operational water use.

Milestones:

• Completed the installation of 75 building-level water meters on most of the ASU

Tempe campus. Data from these meters will enable ASU to identify possible leaks and unusual water-use levels and verify the impact of efficiency measures. The meters will establish individual building water-use baselines and add water data to the Campus Metabolism public building information system.

• Collaborated with the city of Tempe and the town of Guadalupe to measure the community spread of COVID-19. An ASU Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering team used portable sampling techniques. The team also used stations on the ASU Tempe campus and other city locations, reporting data through a community health monitoring dashboard.

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Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

The latest ASU outdoor classroom was constructed at the ASU Polytechnic campus as a collaborative effort among The Design School, Facilities Development and Management, and University Sustainability Practices. The pavilion was designed and built as part of a design and build course within the School of Architecture and is part of the Garden Commons.

This outdoor pavilion space is open to all and available to reserve for classes and meetings.

Optimized water

• Completed the first full year of ASU and the city of Phoenix’s partnership with the

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to pilot a hydrogel polymer injection into athletic fields on the ASU West campus. The hydrogel and injection technique resulted in a 20% weather-adjusted reduction in water use by summer season turf.

Analysis of water use will continue for the functional life of the hydrogel, which is estimated at seven years. Additional reductions may be possible.

• Completed a pilot project to replace showerheads in a residence hall on the Tempe Athletic fields at the ASU West campus

campus with more efficient fixtures. The project will be expanded to other residence halls if the pilot can reduce water use while maintaining resident satisfaction.

ASU wastewater and on-campus students (FTE) FY 2007 – FY 2021 1,200

90,000 80,000

1,000

800

60,000 50,000

600 40,000 30,000

400

20,000 200

On-campus students

Wastewater (gallons in millions)

70,000

10,000 0

0 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021

Total wastewater gallons

On-campus students

ASU total water use and on-campus students (FTE) FY 2007 – FY 2021 1,400

90,000 80,000 70,000

1,000

60,000

800

50,000

600

40,000 30,000

400

On-campus students

Water use (gallons in millions)

1,200

20,000 200

10,000

0

0 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021

Total water gallons

On-campus students

Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

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Personal Action ASU’s success in sustainability requires individual actions from the entire ASU community. The daily decisions of Sun Devils around food, waste and transportation underpin ASU’s successes in these areas.

Programs and milestones:

• ASU Educational Outreach and Student Services supported

94 sustainability-aligned student organizations to develop leadership skills and advance sustainability projects on campus.

• Sun Devils embraced sustainable commuting more broadly in 2021: | 145,484 trips were taken by Sun Devils on the intercampus shuttles,

a decrease from 2020 due to COVID-19 | 1,155 people purchased transit passes | 210 bicycles were registered

• 11,348 students and staff have completed the voluntary Seeds of Sustainability literacy program since 2016 and earned their "Seedling" certification.

Winning Earth Month design

• Over 3,000 students and staff participated in Earth Month Trivia via the Sun Devil Rewards program.

• 500 students and staff voted for their favorite design in the Earth Month Design Contest. A first-year ASU Online student created the winning design.

• 108 students and staff received a Sustainability Certification for their events, housing and office spaces.

Resilience and Regeneration ASU will adapt, sustain, thrive and regenerate its environment and communities in the face of current and future climate change impacts.

Milestones:

• ASU installed four outdoor rooms, 1,088 chairs, 272 tables and 113 benches across its four Valley campuses to use outdoor spaces better.

• ASU’s Sustainable Cities Network convenes a Climate and Resilience

Workgroup to educate cities and towns on climate action planning, resilience, adaptation and mitigation strategies. The city of Flagstaff and the city of Tempe cochair this workgroup.

• The Arizona Heat Resilience Workgroup is co-convened by the Sustainable

Cities Network and ASU’s Healthy Urban Environments initiative. The AHRW assembles stakeholder organizations from around Arizona to monitor heat forecasts and warnings from the National Weather Service, shares heat response and relief best practices and encourages collaboration, coordination and development of novel responses to preparedness and resilience to extreme heat.

• University Sustainability Practices students and staff published “A Roadmap for

Building Climate Resilience at Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study of Arizona State University.”

Visit cfo.asu.edu/sustainability for more information

10 Sustainability Operations | FY 2021 Review

Arizona State University Sustainability Operations PO Box 877505 Tempe AZ 85287-7505 ©2022 Arizona Board of Regents for Arizona State University.

Data in this document reflect reporting through June 30, 2021.

Photography by: Jim Brophy, Maddison Harris, John Herrera, Jarod Opperman, Emmanuel Padilla, Elaine Rettger, Matt Winquist.