The University of North Carolina at Asheville, Facilities Management and Design and Construction departments have been actively practicing sustainability for the past 10 years – even when this has added program costs. With the advent of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the passage of the bond referendum, and the enthusiasm of a new student group called United Solar, sustainability efforts are being redoubled and a new campus-wide program planned.

What has the university accomplished to date, and where is it headed? To answer this question systematically, UNC Asheville's current and future efforts are presented in the same format as LEED. While imperfect (UNC-Asheville efforts surpass the scope of LEED), this affords a format known to many.

To summarize, the landscape architect and her grounds crew has employed sustainable practices for the past 10 years involving substantial grants, wetland development, and reuse of materials.
The HVAC department has been practicing energy and water efficiency practices for the past 12 years using everything from energy efficient design, to digital controls, to energy efficient lighting, to building envelopes, to other energy efficient products.

For the past six years, Central Stores has purchased and promoted recycled products. Now Facilities Management, Design & Construction, and a grass roots Student Group called United Solar are exploring how to reach the next level of “sustainability.”

Specifics of current and future efforts are herein.

• UNCA Existing Efforts

• UNCA Future Efforts