Sustainability

Campus Recreation offers a walking tour that highlights sustainability of Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center. Logos are located throughout the building and reference the inside of our Sustainability Brochure for a description of each sustainable element.

Download the Sustainability Brochure

Foster Recreation Center Sustainability Walking Tour 

1. Shower and Changing Facilities: Providing shower and changing facilities for the occupants encourages commuting to the building by bicycle.
2. Recycling Receptacles: Recycling one ton of paper prevents the processing of 17 trees and saves three cubic yards of landfill space.
3. Sustainable Wood Gym Floor: The negative environmental impacts of irresponsible forest practices can include destruction of forests, loss of wildlife habitat, soil erosion and stream sedimentation.
4. Low VOC Paint: VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds are carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions VOCs can have a detrimental effect on human health.
5. Native/Low Water Plants: Springfield receives an estimated 45" of rainfall each year. Plants native to the region can survive on rain alone and don't need additional watering.
6. Bicycle Storage: Bicycle commuting produces no emissions and has zero demand for petroleum-based fuels.
7. Carpet Tiles: If an area of carpet gets stained or damaged only the affected tiles can be removed and replaced which reduces the amount of carpet that is sent to the landfill.
8. Controllability of systems: Providing task lighting at individual work spaces promotes productivity, comfort and well-being of building occupants.
9. Natural Light: Studies show that when people live and work in a well lit environment they are happier and healthier. Natural light has been shown to limit eye strain and lessen energy consumption.
10. Low-E Coating on Windows: Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings control heat transfer through windows with insulated glazing and reduce energy loss by about 30%-50%.

Foster Recreation Center Sustainable Facts

• Projected to have 20.3% in energy savings
• No ozone-depleting CFC-based refrigerants
• 92% of construction waste was recycled
• The building and campus is a smoke free environment
• Low-VOC paints, carpets, coatings, adhesives and sealants were used in construction
• Anticipated to have 41% reduction in water use
• Located near multiple bus lines with several bus stops within 1/4 mile
• The building has and will continue to serve as an educational tool for students and visitors

USGBC and LEED

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is redefining the way we think about the places where we live, work and learn. As an internationally recognized mark of excellence. LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

LEED Certification Level: Missouri State University received a Silver LEED certification for the Foster Recreation Center.