Environmental sustainability is not a new concept at East Carolina University (ECU).  We have been emphasizing recycling, energy conservation, green space improvement, chemical minimization and other sustainability techniques for over a decade.  However, it is only recently that East Carolina University has begun to embrace environmental sustainability as an institutional value.  In 1997, the Environmental Health & Safety Office developed an environmental management program and hired a full-time environmental manager.  

In March 2000, ECU’s Environmental Sustainability Team was formed.  Based on increased utility costs caused by the sudden increase in the cost of crude oil, the initial mission of the group has been energy conservation.  Over the next year, we plan to conduct a comprehensive audit of our current environmental sustainability programs, while defining areas where we can improve.

ECU is pursuing sustainability initiatives in the following arenas:

• Sustainable development

• Waste minimization and recycling

• Energy management

Contact:  William "Bill" Koch