Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.78
Liaison Amber Saxton
Submission Date Sept. 9, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

George Mason University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Giulia Manno
Outreach Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign directed at students within the previous three years that has yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Yes

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Has the institution held at least one sustainability-related outreach campaign directed at employees within the previous three years that has yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Yes

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The name of the campaign (1st campaign):
George Mason University Housing Recycling Program

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A brief description of the campaign (1st campaign):
In fall 2012, George Mason University (Mason) implemented a new recycling program in all of on-campus housing. This program provided new recycling bins for every dorm room or suite on campus, information on what was recyclable, and instructions on how to use and sort the bin. As part of this program, an educational campaign was launched to educate the resident advisors (RA) as well as the housekeeping staff on what was recyclable and how the new program functioned. The RAs were provided talking points as well as training on recycling that they could relay to the residents in their areas.

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A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (1st campaign):
Since the launch of the program we've seen a 55% decrease in recyclables being thrown away and seen reduction in costs associated with trash tipping fees.

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The website URL where information about the campaign is available (1st campaign):
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The name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
Green Office

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A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
The Green Office Program is a certification process that recognizes offices on Mason's campuses for reducing their environmental footprint. The program outlines a specific set of 'green' measures and actions (some of which are required, some of which are optional) that departments and offices can implement in their workspace to become Green Office Certified. The program outlines concrete actions and provides the resources necessary for implementing each action effectively.

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A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
There are currently over 200 Mason employees involved in the Green Office program. They have pledged to reduce their environmental footprint and implement sustainability initiatives in the workplace under the categories of energy, waste reduction, events, purchasing, transportation, participation, and innovation.

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The website URL where information about the campaign is available (2nd campaign):
None
A brief description of other outreach campaigns, including measured positive impacts:
In 2014 George Mason University hosted its first green basketball game and participated in Recyclemania's Game Day Challenge. There were over 7,700 attendees at the game. Recycling games were played during time-outs and sustainability messaging was displayed throughout the game. Additionally, with the help of 60 volunteers, Mason diverted 50% of the waste generated (1,500 lbs) from going to the landfill by directing attendees to recycling and composting bins. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2014/01/31/george-mason-conducts-massive-recycling-experiment-at-patriot-center-game/

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data accurate for FY14.

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