UWA joins TIOS as first higher education partner for Green Certification

UWA joins TIOS as first higher education partner for Green Certification LIVINGSTON, Ala.— 

The University of West Alabama has announced a partnership with The Institute of

Sustainability, a green certification agreement to further the University’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness and preservation.

TIOS holds as its mission the ability to help businesses adopt environmental practices that are sustainable as well asprofitable, and to educate their employees on personal sustainability measures. The organization achieves its mission byhelping businesses enrolled in the program implement sustainable business practices developed by government agencies,trade associations and adopted by leading green cities.

“We are excited to lead the charge in improving university and business sustainability practices in the state of Alabama,”

said UWA President Richard D. Holland. TIOS Chairman Douglas Moore says UWA’s green certification agreement isthe organization’s first higher education partnership in the state.

“The University of West Alabama is taking a critical leadership role in improving sustainable business practices for thestate of Alabama,” said Moore. “President Holland and his team are working with TIOS consultants to improve sustainable measures on campus in critical areas such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, water efficiency, pollution prevention, sustainable procurement, and transportation,” Moore explained.

Perhaps the most critical element in the sponsorship lies in the sustainable vendor program. UWA is working with TIOSto help all 1,300 the institution’s vendors become green certified.

The TIOS certification process helps identify opportunities for more sustainable operation at the University campus.

Equally important, the program allows participating universities to educate vendors on improved operational measures that will reduce each company’s carbon footprint.

Dr. Lee Stanton leads UWA’s sustainable certification effort along with Robert Stansfield of TIOS. Stanton is an assistant professor of biological and environmental services and also serves as director of the Black Belt Conservation and Research Institute.

“In addition to identifying ways we can improve campus operations to become more sustainable, UWA has also made it apriority to lend support in establishing a recycling center for the City of Livingston,” Stanton said. Through a recentcollaboration with the City, UWA was able to help secure substantial funding for a citywide sustainability effort.

“Working closely with Mayor Tom Tartt, UWA helped write and submit a grant to the Alabama Department ofEnvironmental Management for $259,850 to establish a recycling center that will accept paper, cardboard, plastic andaluminum for the residents of Livingston and UWA, thereby reducing costs associated with solid waste disposal,” Stanton explained.

To learn more about sustainability initiatives at UWA, contact Dr. Lee Stanton at 205-652-3415 or . For more information on The Institute of Sustainability and their certification program please contact Doug Moore at