Energy consumption and emissions

Energy consumption: how can we reduce it?

  1. Print only if necessary and, when possible, double-sided.
  2. Use separate waste collection bins (paper, PET, aluminium and glass).
  3. Turn off the lights and the PC monitor at the end of the day.
  4. Use recycled paper (avoid new fibre).
  5. Heat water sparingly (*).
  6. To avoid wasting heat and energy, when it's cold outside, ventilate the room and then close the windows.

The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World is the UN guide that explains how we can safeguard the planet with small acts in our daily lives.

 

How many CO2 emissions do we produce with our activities?

The first monitoring of CO2 emissions produced by USI was carried out in 2009 (approx. 1'000 tons of CO2). The latest available data (2019) indicate a total consumption of approx. 2'000 tons of CO2 broken down into 44% flights, 27% gas, 19% electricity, 11% paper.

 

How much paper do we consume at USI?
Year Total amount Total cost (in Fr.)
2009 5'905'000 fr. 46'400.00
2010 5'527'500 fr. 42'952.00
2011 5'360'000 fr. 41'880.00
2012 4'932'500 fr. 40'127.25
2013 4'675'000 fr. 38'790.00
2014 4'600'000 fr. 38'430.00
2015 4'900'000 fr. 44'760.00
2016 4'300'000 fr. 43'170.00
2017 3'900'000 fr. 38'060.00
2018 3'350'000 fr. 28'350.00
2019 3'240'000 fr. 28'269.00
2020 1'950'000 fr. 15'200.00
2021 2'050'000 fr. 16'990.00
2022 2'500'000 fr. 25'340.00
2023 2’100’000 fr. 24’700.00
Total 59’290’000 fr. 513’418.25
  What environmental impact have hand drying systems?
System Grams of CO2 equivalent emitted
Air jet electric hand dryers 6 g average
Cloth towel rolls 10,5 g average
Paper hand towels 14 g average
Hot-air electric hand dryers 18 g average

 

(*) Did you know that it takes the same amount of energy (approx. 335 KJ) to bring a liter of water to a boil as it does to keep a light bulb on for 5 hours or to run an electric car for almost 1 km?