Throughout the year, the Office for Sustainability coordinates several initiatives to make Case Western Reserve University more “green.” From recycling competitions to investments in sustainable energy, the university has taken different approaches to reaching the university’s goal of being climate neutral. In honor of Earth Month, throughout April we will highlight some of the university’s sustainability efforts.
Case Western Reserve University seeks to incorporate sustainability into its construction projects.
One measure of the university’s efforts is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. LEED-certified buildings can reach one of several levels: platinum, gold, silver, bronze and basic certified level.
Though the university has a policy to reach at least silver on all building projects, it strives to attain gold.
LEED certification takes several factors into consideration, including energy usage and how much waste was sent to a landfill during construction.
Several buildings on campus are LEED-certified. The Village at 115th was the university’s first project to be certified, with a silver certification and House 5 reaching gold level.
Tinkham Veale University Center and Stephanie Tubbs Jones Residence Halls have both achieved gold certification. Tomlinson Hall and the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center each are silver certified.