WashU’s annual energy reduction and sustainability competition is back! Green Cup is a four-week competition to reduce energy use among South 40 Residential Colleges, North Side housing, fraternities, and the School of Medicine’s Olin Dorm and Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (in four separate leagues). Students compete to reduce their energy usage below a baseline. The South 40 and School of Medicine leagues will compete using a point system, and the Fraternity and North Side leagues will focus on education and outreach efforts. At the end of the month, the winners in each league will receive prizes.
The competition measures electrical energy use from lights, dryers, laptops, chargers, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, and other electrical devices that are plugged in. Students focus on reducing energy in a variety of ways, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging device chargers when not in use, and using the stairs rather than the elevator. The South 40 league also earn points by taking the WashU Sustainability Pledge, answering survey questions on weekly sustainability topics, and attending events planned by each Residential College’s Eco Rep. All of the leagues will offer special green-themed events throughout the month, as well.
Green Cup is a joint effort of Residential Life, the CS40, Facilities, Student Involvement & Leadership, the North Side Association, the WUSM Student Sustainability Committee, and the Office of Sustainability. For more information, tips, and competition standings, visit greencup.wustl.edu.