The Mid-America Regional Council has named the University of Missouri-Kansas City one of the Greater Kansas City region’s seven sustainable success stories for 2012.
A celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 30, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Kauffman Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road. Registration is required. Refreshments will be served at 8 a.m.
MARC’s Creating Sustainable Places initiative identifies sustainable places as vibrant, connected and green. Although UMKC has several ongoing sustainability initiatives, MARC has recognized UMKC for its U-Pass.
The U-Pass program is a partnership between UMKC and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and is a first for the Kansas City region. UMKC students are able to ride The Metro and MAX with their student ID, in return for paying a universal student fee. Students have access to all 70 Metro routes, whether they are going to class or going out on the town. The U-Pass offers an environmentally friendly, economical, easy way to get around town.
MARC’s Sustainable Success Stories is part of an ongoing community dialogue focused on building a better understanding of sustainable practices that have the potential to transform our community into “America’s Green Region.”
UMKC’s sustainability efforts have garnered significant recognition recently. In late November, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency celebrated UMKC’s food recovery initiative. Just a few years ago, the university regularly filled a 20-yard container with waste which went straight to a landfill. Today, roughly 20 percent of the campus’ scraps end up in the trash. The university saves an average of $120,000 a year by not having to pay tipping and hauling fees on the trash.
Earlier this year, UMKC placed in the top 50 of the 2012 Sierra Club’s Cool Schools ranking. The ranking evaluates colleges and universities across the nation on sustainability issues like energy efficiency, waste management, ‘green’ curriculum, and serving sustainable foods.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.