Montclair State University

We are determined to encourage and develop a responsible and responsive campus community that will foster positive behaviors and attitudes towards environmental stewardship for the sustainability of both the present and future generations. MSU is committed to developing community and global partnerships in our mission to assist with the attainment of sustainability at both national and international levels.

Montclair State University became the first educational institution in the nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) committing to utilize the latest green technologies and practices on its 246-acre campus. By signing the MOU, the University agreed to management and operational principles that will ensure that it meets high environmental standards and reduces its carbon footprint.

MSU purchases 100% recycled paper to use in their copy machines. The University also purchases roll paper towels and toilet paper that are made out of recycled materials. MSU also purchases green cleaning supplies. 80% of all cleaning products used on the campus are green cleaning supplies.

Montclair State University, under the leadership of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, joined the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network to build programs that will contribute to the global network of sustainability solutions.

Montclair State University's Dining Services has created two programs to reduce waste. From September 2017 to April 2018, residential dining have had 20,809 transactions of the reusable Green to Go containers. MSU also introduced a Refillable cup program, when a student uses there own mug for coffee,tea,fountain beverages they receive a .25 cent discount. Saving students so far $64.25 MONEY SAVED: $64

Value: 2,705 lbs

Saved: $64

E-waste is handled through environmental health and safety division. The e-waste is first donated to organizations and charities that can reuse/renew the devices. If the e-waste is not usable, a local hauler will take it and a certificate of the final destination is provided to ensure that the e-waste is not dumped.

Frying oil is picked up three times a week to be recycled. Each day that the oil is picked up from campus, it totals 225 pounds 250

Value: 20,250 lbs

RecycleMania is a 10 week program that ranks universities in different categories. Montclair State ranked 40th out of 229 and had a recycling rate of about 50%. Furniture from old buildings/dorms is donated to non-profits like churches in Newark/Paterson.

MSU has a co-generation plant to supply hot water and centralized cooling.The plant, which uses natural gas for electrical energy production, continuously produces 5.7 megawatts of power. The construction of the plant indicates MSU’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and reducing its environmental impact. The plant provides 86% of schools electricity, Saving on average $2.2 million annually on energy, over 30 years it will be a $66 million cost savings.

Saved: $220,000

MSU is home to a 285 kwh Solar Field. The solar arrays were constructed on top of car ports in a commuter student parking lot. The solar field supplies power to 7% of the campuses total square footage (On average a 285kwdc solar field in the NJ area can produce 450,000 kwh per year).

Value: 450,000 kWh

MSU encourages employees and students to use bicycles. There is 25 bike rack locations throughout campus. Student Rec center has a free bike rental program renting on average 500 bikes a semester. MSU campus is located in between 2 NJ train stations that give direct access to New York City and other major cities in New Jersey. Montclair State has on-campus stops for several major bus lines bus stops located near Normal Ave.

MSU’s shuttle fleet runs on low sulfur diesel fuel. The University also uses electric vehicles for staff to use on campus as an alternative to diesel powered golf carts. These vehicles are used by various shops/departments within Facilities and Dining Services.

To promote the use of public transportation and reduce the number of single occupant vehicles driven to campus, MSU and NJ Transit have partnered to offer full-time undergraduate and graduate students a 25% discount on a rail, bus, or light rail monthly pass when they enroll online through NJ TRANSIT’s Quik-Tik program.

Montclair State has installed waterless urinals that has saved 45k gallons of water each year per urinal. There is also an increased effort to use native plants on campus. All new buildings have drought tolerant plants (about 91/4 of the entire campus).

The Center for Environmental and Life Science on campus features a rain garden and a green roof. The University refrains from using fertilizer and uses Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) which has low toxicity and biodegradable, about as corrosive as tap water.

CELS is LEED Gold and at several other building being constructed with LEED certifications

Dining Services takes part in several food waste reduction programs. The Red Hawk Food Pantry was established in 2016 with the goal to combat food insecurity for students on campus. The food pantry serves about 30-50 students biweekly. About 5% of total produce purchased has been through the Imperfectly Delicious Program which pushes for the University to buy produce that would usually be thrown out due to visual reasons at a lower price. The Food Recovery Network gives students at MSU the ability to recover perishable food that would otherwise go to waste while fighting hunger in the local community.Students each week recover leftover food from dining halls and all recovered food is donated to Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless. 660

Value: 2,660 lbs

MSU has several student organizations that promote sustainability on campus and throughout the local community such as: USGBC, Environemental Club, MSU Animal Activists, Food Recovery Network, Montclair State Dietetics Org, Center for Student Involvement, and so many more.

All buildings are equipped with HVAC systems

As of the fall semester of 2017, Montclair State began to fix any damaged handicap accessible ramps and all building are wheelchair accessible.

MSU is a partner advisor in the Montclair Community Farms coalition. The Montclair Community Farms serve as hands-on resources that engage and educate the community and youth farmers in urban farming, sustainable agriculture, affordable food access, and healthy food and lifestyle choices.

Montclair State Dining Services buys 70% of their food from local vendors within a 150 mile radius.

Montclair State Dining offers several plant based food options on campus and is the only university to have an A+ Dean’s list grade on their Peta2 Vegan Report Card. Dining services have also worked hard to incorporate rBGH free milk and yogurt,Reduced Antibiotics Poultry, Cage Free Eggs, and Sustainably Sourced Seafood.

MSU's PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies offers a summer Green Team program that allows transdisciplinary students to work together to address sustainability issues presented by corporations,local business, or government agency. In 2017 students produced work such as a competitor analysis, waste diversion analysis, developed employee engagement initiatives, and much more. https://www.montclair.edu/pseg-sustainability-institute/green-teams/