Sodexo Partners With Ithaca College for Energy Reduction Study

May 8—Students at Ithaca College in New York recently partnered with Sodexo, the university’s foodservice provider, to investigate ways the campus could reduce energy costs by 30% and the kitchen’s carbon footprint by 25%.

To reach these goals, the team looked at the energy efficiency of all equipment and conducted a water and energy audit. What they found helped develop an estimate of dining services energy consumption and carbon emissions. The team then identified ways to reduce that estimate, including installing energy-efficient exhaust fans, making employees more aware of energy use and adding motion detectors for the lighting systems. The plan will cut the energy bill by nearly $140,000 per year. Investments in energy-efficient equipment will cost a little more than $215,000 and will pay for themselves in about 19 months.
 
"Students are passionate about the environment and teaming with them promotes sustainability on campus as well as after they graduate," Al Allen, president of Sodexo facility management, said in a press release. "The education community can play a determinant role in leading the effort as it fits the education, research and public service missions of these institutions."