The image depicts a person's hands holding a green watering can, pouring water into a wooden raised garden bed. The soil appears moist, and there are small plants growing. In the background, other individuals are visible, suggesting this might be a community garden or outdoor activity. Gardening equipment, including a trowel, lies near the plants. The scene evokes themes of gardening, sustainability, and community engagement.

Sustainable Hilltop

Ornate door

New to St. Edward's? Or just want to learn more on how to live more sustainable & the work we are doing to make the Hilltop more green? 

Check out this guide! It's filled with information about the Sustainability Office and one of our largest student organizations on the Hilltop- Students for Sustainability

Transportation 

Bus Passes 

With just being a few miles from downtown Austin, sustainable transit options are important to take on your world. In partnership with Capital Metro, all residential students can receive a no-cost mobile bus pass upon request. Student who live off-campus can receive a discounted pass by visiting the Card Office in the 1st floor Operations Building. 

Composting 

On the Hilltop there's multiple ways for students, faculty and staff to compost their organic waste. The university has partnered with Break-it-down Austin to provide three collections bin close to residential areas. Two bins are located by buildings 1 & 6 of the Mary-Hill Apartment complex and the other is located in-between St. Andre and the Complex. For more information on all things composting- email us!

Grounds for Grounds Program  

Under the leadership of Students for Sustainability, all used coffee grounds from Jo's Coffee & Bon Appetite are composted in the campus garden (located behind Teresa Hall). A program started by our arborist-Roy Johnson. 

Compost Bin Rental Program

All St. Edward's students, faculty and staff can request a personal compost collection bin. This program is only active during the Fall & Spring semesters and will be returned at the end of April. 

Recycling 

In the inner and outer campus are single-stream recycling bins for materials #1-7. Specialty recycling bins will be available soon. 

Out-of norm items

  • Styrofoam- JBWN 
  • Batteries- Munday Library 
  • Plastic Bags - Can be thrown out at the local HEB or Walmart

More Information

Operations Building

  • Solar Panels (installed summer 2021) 
  • Occupancy Sensors 
  • LED Lighting 

Doyle Hall

  • Passive shading techniques were designed into the new building's architecture. The west facade incorporates a deep porch that incorporates aluminum louvers specifically designed to permit views while screening all direct solar gain. 
  • Highly reflective roofing was used on the addition to provide for lower solar absorption
  • High performance insulated glazing was used throughout, as well as tight-building techniques to prevent excessive air transfers
  • Lighting and devices are all low-power consumption type

Fleck Hall 

  • Features a longer overhang on the south side to block the sun's reach
  • Insulated, high-performance glazing on all windows
  • Read more about the history of Fleck Hall and see it in 1958 and today on our blog!

John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center - South

  • Water conserving plumbing fixtures result in nearly 25% reduction in indoor water use
  • Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems reduce peak energy demand by 27% and total energy use by 20%
  • Nearly 90% of the construction waste from the Alumni Gym and John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center was recycled or salvaged, diverting over 1,200 tons of waste from the landfill
  • Automatic daylight controls reduce lighting levels when sufficient daylight is present

Trustee Hall

  • A separate heating and cooling system for the computer tower reduces energy costs
  • A cast-in-place brise soleil on the south side absorbs much of the sun's rays

UFCU Alumni Gym 

  • Water conserving plumbing fixtures result in nearly 25% reduction in indoor water use
  • Rain gardens and native landscaping reduce outdoor water use by 65%
  • Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems reduce peak energy demand by 27% and total energy use by 20%
  • Nearly 90% of the construction waste from the Alumni Gym and John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center was recycled or salvaged, diverting over 1,200 tons of waste from the landfill

Moody Hall 

  • Reflective Roofing 
  • UV light technology for HVAC systems- installed summer of 2022. Will help eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air. 

All around campus we have bike racks, green re-fill fountains, compost bins and much more to help keep the hilltop sustainable. Check out this map to help you live more green at St. Edward's. 

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The image titled "Campus Sustainability Map" for St. Edward's University (dated August 2021) features various sustainability initiatives and features on the campus. Symbols represent composting toilets, bike racks, water bottle filling stations, solar panels, and more.