Sustainability Projects and Programs at the GSD

• Gund Hall has the first restaurant on campus to incorporate composting. Single stream recycling introduced as well as compostable utensils, cups and plates.
• The Graduate School of Design on average recycles 65% of it's waste stream including woodscraps from the Woodshop. Recycling has increased roughly 45% since 2004. (Based on data provided by the Harvard recycling office Spring 2012).
• In 2009 Dyson hand dryers were installed in Gund Hall bathrooms. Using Dyson hand dryers creates a 95% cost saving vs. using paper towels. They also use 80% less energy than conventional hand dryers.
• Chauhaus started the reusable mug program. The result: hundreds of cups are no longer thrown in the trash and mug owners receive a discount on coffee. 
• Implemented the GSD Freecycle program encouraging reuse through the donation of goods within the GSD community. Take an item. Leave an item.
• Switching from bottled water bubblers to filtered water. By doing so, there are no more truck deliveries and no more plastic bottles.
• Over 150 ft. of bike racks are installed outside of Gund Hall on Quincy St. and Cambridge St. promoting a more ecological means of transportation for members of the GSD community.
• Starting in 2006, roughly 40% of the Gund Hall roof has been converted to a Green Roof. 
• Updating and replacing 40 year old HVAC cooling and heating units within Gund Hall. As of 2012 we are in Phase 3 of this project.
• Lighting sensors introduced in the bathrooms and incorporating the use of low wattage light bulbs. (Wattage decreased from 32 watts per bulb to 26 watts)
• Year to date the GSD has reduced GHG Emissions by 14.1% (University Goal is 30% by 2016). 
• Commencement 2011 and Commencement 2012 were both no waste events using 100% compostable materials

• We have a new Cell Phone Recycle program! Harvard Recycling sends phones out for reuse with the help of special needs students of high school age from the LABBB program.   
• Learn how to Wipe Data from your cell before recycling 

Sustainability at Harvard connects people across the University with information, tools, and inspiration for the challenge at hand: making Harvard sustainable for the long term.