Sustainability

Committing to Environmental and Economic Health

In an effort to become more environmentally healthy and economically conservative, John Brown University is committed to being a sustainable institution, by reducing the volume of usable energy and used material.

JBU also believes that reducing JBU’s carbon footprint and using resources well are just a few ways that JBU can be stewards of God’s Kingdom. Because of that deeply held belief, JBU and generous donors have contributed over $10 million to sustainability projects on campus over the last 15 years.

"The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it." - Ps. 24:1

Since 2012, JBU has become the first and only zero landfill campus in Arkansas.

45% of JBU's waste is recycled, and the rest is compacted and incinerated.

Sustainable Initiatives

Hydration Stations

JBU's hydration stations are located in a variety of locations on campus with bottle fillers in addition to bubblers that have taken the place of traditional water fountains. Each bottle filler has a counter to show how many plastic bottles have been saved from a landfill.

Removing Dumpsters

During move-out days on campus, instead of having students dump unwanted items in a dumpster, the workers from the Salvation Army come and take away items that can be reused. Reducing the use of dumpsters saves the university over $60,000 annually.

Individual Recycle Bins

JBU got rid of all the dumpsters on campus and provided individual recycling bins and trash cans to each dorm room, classroom, common area, office, and meeting room across campus. JBU recycles almost 100 percent of recyclable material from offices on campus.

LED Interior Lighting in Buildings

30% of building interior lighting is LED. In the last 3 years, 100 percent of new construction projects (Mayfield Residence Hall, Peer-Andrus Studio and Project Barn and Health Education Building) are LED. Townhomes are 98%; Murray Sells Gym are 95%; Hutcheson Hall are 80%; and Walton Lifetime Health Complex are 85%. Balzer Technology Center is LEED certified. Outdoor lighting is 100% LED.

White Roofs on Buildings

White roofs save 10-40% on energy costs by reflecting heat and utilizing less air conditioning. The following buildings have white roofs: Berry Performing Arts Center, Balzer Technology Center, Health Education Building, Simmons Great Hall, Learning Resource Center, J. Alvin Brown Hall, Windgate Visual Arts West & East, Walker Student Center and Murray Sells Gym.

Cafeteria Waste

Cafeteria waste is taken to the Gentry Safari Zoo in Gentry, Arkansas. Kitchen grease is converted to biodiesel and used to power lawnmowers.

Incineration & Compaction

Non-food items are incinerated in a power plant that reduces no harmful emissions into the environment. JBU compacts non-recyclable material on campus.

Building Air Conditioning

JBU has also removed inefficient air cooled chillers in all buildings and have installed high efficiency gas boilers in five buildings, which include Balzer Technology Center, Mabee/Chapman, Health Education Building, Bill George Arena and Mayfield Residence Hall.

JBU Fleet Cars

JBU's gas mileage of university cars has increased by 37 percent in last 10 years.

As of 2016, $756,000 savings per year due to sustainability initiatives.

In 2015, JBU achieved Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Community Partnerships

JBU partners with several local waste management authorities and local businesses to recycle everything possible and convert the rest to energy. The university recycles materials in the following ways:

City of Siloam Springs

All paper, cardboard, #1 and #2 plastic, pallets and glass are given to the City of Siloam Springs in exchange for 20 yard containers used for collection of paper, cardboard, and plastics.

Local Recycling Companies

Metals are salvaged and sold to the local metal recycling companies in Siloam Springs. Plastic bags are taken to a local retail store that offers consumer recycling.

E-Waste is Recycled

E-Waste (electronic waste) are recycled by eSco. Rechargeable and non-lead batteries are taken to Lowes for recycling. Batteries and lead based materials are also recycled locally.

Since 2000, the university has increased by a total of 327,007 square feet but has decreased its electric/gas usage by $0.23/per square foot.

Estimated Savings from 2016

1

Natural Gas - $295,000

System Repair (Steam traps, leaks and insulation), Lower pressure in central distribution (35 PSI vs 55 PSI) & High efficiency boilers in some buildings

2

Fleet - $7,800

Increased MPG by 32.75%

3

Trash/Recycle - $59,400

Zero Landfill

4

Electrical - $285,000

HVAC scheduling, Lighting retrofits, Peak demand shaving & Absorbed a 22% increase from the city

5

Water - $109,000

Net metered, Low flow fixtures & Irrigation meters to avoid sewer/sludge charges

Sustainability