Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.91
Liaison Nathan King
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

Virginia Tech
OP-T2-22: Snow and Ice Removal

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.25 / 0.25 Anthony Watson
Associate Director of Building Services & Grounds
Facilities Operations
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution implemented technologies or strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal?:
Yes

A brief description of the snow and ice removal program, policy, or practice:

The Buildings & Grounds Department recently acquired a truck mounted brine tank that will allow them to pre-treat specific roadways and sidewalks with the expectation that immediate removal activities may be held off or eliminated altogether. Depending on the temperature and the consistency of the snow, plowing operations may be suspended by as many as much as six to twelve hours, thereby eliminating multiple snow route passes as well the need for tons of road salt. The reduction in snow route passes will lower our carbon foot print by reducing vehicle emissions and the potential reduction in the use of road salt will also lessen the environmental impact. It is also believed these practices will enhance the safety of campus pedestrians and motorists in the long-run.

Educating and reminding employees to be sparing and not over-use hand applied chemicals is also a major factor in Virginia Tech’s efforts to avoid runoff and to protect campus plant material.


The website URL where information about the program, policy, or practice is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.