Apr 3, 2009 -- In keeping with the national trend, Yeshiva University continues to increase its efforts to become more environmentally friendly. At the forefront of these initiatives is the Department of Food Services, which has begun recycling food waste oil on both the Beren and Wilf campuses. Since signing the agreement with the Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing and Able Resource Recovery Initiative (RWARR) on December 15, 2008, close to 600 gallons of food waste oil have been collected from both campuses. Yeshiva University is the second university in New York City to sign up for this service following Columbia University’s lead in 2007. According to Tova Ackerman, food service buyer in Procurement Services, the new intiative offers the best of both worlds: it saves money since the University no longer needs to pay to dispose of the food waste oil, and is also good for the environment. More visible changes on campus include the exchange of Styrofoam serving containers in the cafeterias for biodegradable, non-toxic dishware, which took effect mid-January. “Styrofoam is not accepted at recycling facilities in New York City,” Ackerman explained. “Using Styrofoam, just as any other plastic, poses serious environmental risks, such as pollution.” The Office of Energy and Sustainability Programs has identified several other crucial areas in need of reassessment, in fulfillment of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, which President Richard Joel signed in November 2007 along with 470 other university presidents. “The University has adopted a green building policy,” said Andrea Moore, sustainability coordinator at the Office of Energy and Sustainability Programs. Any new buildings or major renovations that begin after January 2009 will be considered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green and Building Council. Upon completion, the building project will be evaluated by a third-party to verify that it has met the highest green building performance standards. Another condition of the Climate Commitment requires Yeshiva University to reduce its carbon footprint, the total amount of greenhouse emissions produced annually, over the next two years. While the Office of Energy and Sustainability Programs will focus on specific projects to lower emissions, one of the simplest ways to cut carbon emission is to encourage students and employees to use public transportation. “Since we are in New York, it is pretty easy,” she said. Moore also noted that 40 percent of the University's passenger vehicle fleet was converted to gas/electric hybrid vehicles, with complete conversion expected by the end of 2009. Procurement Services and the Office of Energy and Sustainability Programs are also working with Deer Park, a subsidiary of Nestle Water, to replace the bottled water dispensers with point-of-use drinking water systems. These coolers will be hooked up to a standard municipal tap water supply to provide freshly filtered and purified water. Related stories: YU Establishes Energy Task Force Student Dorms Square Off to Save Energy Recyclemania Takes Over YU Students Recognized For Environmental Awareness Initiatives