Sustainability in the Residence Halls

Living on campus means being part of a community that works to reduce energy use, conserve water, and limit waste. The residence halls incorporate a variety of sustainability practices to help lower environmental impact while maintaining a comfortable living environment for students.

Energy

The residence halls use several energy-efficient features to reduce electricity use throughout the buildings:

  • Energy-efficient lighting is installed throughout the halls to reduce electricity consumption.
  • Many exterior lights automatically turn off during daylight hours, and outdoor fixtures are upgraded to LED as older bulbs reach the end of their lifespan.
  • Study rooms and lounges are equipped with occupancy sensors that automatically turn lights off when the spaces are not in use.
  • Heating and cooling systems operate within energy-efficient temperature ranges to balance comfort and energy conservation.
  • Energy-efficient heat pumps are used to provide heating and cooling in the residence halls.

These systems help reduce energy use while keeping living spaces comfortable for students.

Recycling

Recycling is an easy way students can help reduce waste in the residence halls.

Millersville participates in recycling the “Big 4”:

  • Cardboard
  • Plastic bottles and jugs
  • Aluminum cans
  • Glass

Students can recycle these items in the designated recycling toters located next to the dumpsters outside the residence halls.

During fall move-in, Facilities' Housekeeping staff help divert large amounts of cardboard from the waste stream by collecting and breaking down boxes. In 2024 alone, more than 2 tons of cardboard were recycled during move-in.

Move-Out Donations

At the end of the spring semester, Housing organizes a move-out donation collection in the residence halls.

Students can donate usable items rather than throwing them away. These donations help reduce landfill waste and allow items such as clothing, small appliances, and household goods to be reused by others.

Water Conservation

Water conservation is an important part of maintaining sustainable residence halls.

To prevent leaks and wasted water, toilet flappers in the residence halls are replaced approximately every four years. When flappers fail, toilets can run continuously, wasting hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water per day. Across hundreds of toilets, even a small number of failures can lead to tens of thousands of gallons of water loss in a single day.

Regular maintenance helps ensure that water systems operate efficiently and that unnecessary water waste is prevented.