Campus energy conservation competition begins Sept. 16

Phoenix Cup, a contest aimed at reducing Elon University’s ecological footprint, begins this month when teams of students, faculty and staff will compete to see who cuts back the most power they use across campus.

The fall component of the competition focuses on energy reduction while a springtime component focuses on landfill waste reduction. The fall contest draws attention to the ways building occupant behavior impacts energy use and helps reinforce energy saving habits early in the semester.

“Phoenix Cup: Energy” runs Sept. 16 – Oct. 7. Teams must register by Sept. 16.

The Office of Sustainability will award the Phoenix Cup, a trophy for the two-step contest, and other prizes to individuals, teams and entire buildings that compete. Any student who completes the Sustainability Pledge during the contest or commits to an action on a team’s checklist is placed into a raffle for $25 in Phoenix Cash.

Teams of 3 to 10 people can register with their Eco-Rep or, if taking part as faculty and staff, with the Office of Sustainability. Teammates complete tasks from a checklist to earn points. Student teams that complete the competition are also eligible for a prize raffle. The student team with the most points per person will win solar chargers or a hammock and other prizes.   

Buildings with the most energy reduction can have a donation made in their name to one of several charitable causes including the World Wildlife Fund’s Adopt an Animal program. Checklists, prize details and additional information about the Phoenix Cup can be found on the Office of Sustainability’s website.

“Hopefully the Phoenix Cup will provide a fun way for people to become more aware of their own behaviors and provide tools for creating energy saving habits, because we can’t achieve Elon’s sustainability goals without participation of the campus community,” said Jessica Bilecki, the university’s sustainability education and outreach coordinator.