Three things to know about sustainability on campus

The Elon University’s Office of Sustainability hopes to debunk misconceptions about campus sustainability to help everyone make better choices and do their part in keeping the campus green.

Myth 1: The lakes and irrigation are campus wastewater.
The automatic irrigation system at many campus locations uses collected stormwater from the lakes, not potable water. Lakes are strategically placed at the lowest points on campus to maximize the collection of stormwater. This water is non-potable (not for human consumption) and is repurposed for irrigation. Also, these lakes play an important role in preventing water runoff from carrying harmful chemicals and pollutants into local waterways.

Myth 2: Everything in the recycling bin and compost ends up in the landfill.
Recycling only ends up in the landfill if it’s contaminated with non-recyclable materials, which is why it is important to understand what can be recycled and what should be thrown in the trash. The only plastics that belong in the recycling are bottles, tubs, jugs and jars. Campus dining halls, Winter Garden, Fountain Market and Daniel Commons compost pre-consumer kitchen waste (kitchen prep) and post-consumer food waste (whatever is left on the plate). Since January 2021, Elon Dining diverted 231.5 tons of organic material from the landfill and created 23 tons of compost!

Myth 3: The solar flower is just for looks.
The SmartFlower outside of the Innovation Hall is not just a decorative structure. It’s an inventive solar energy system designed to mimic the movement of sunflowers. By following the sun throughout the day, it increases solar energy production by 40% compared to regular fixed solar panels. This system supplies clean energy to Founders Hall and Innovation Hall. It isn’t strong enough to power the whole building, but it does create 4,000 to 6,000 kilowatt hours of solar energy per year.