MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center Earn Gold!

The “new” facility has received gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

It’s been a long and tedious process, but worth every minute that has gone into it to help us get where we are today.It will also help us to continue to look at new ways to better serve our community. Some of the many things that they looked at can be used as great examples for all to follow:

Photovoltaic Panels: 192 solar panels that can help provide energy to the building.

Rainwater Harvest System: Collects rain water from the roof of the building which is used for 66% of the domestic water used in the building.

Rain Gardens: Four rain gardens are strategically placed around the complex.
The rain flows into the gardens instead of going into nearby rivers and storm drains.

Porous Asphalt:Our northeast parking lot was the first here at MSU to use this.
It acts as a natural drain, letting storm runoff flow through it, into a stone bed beneath, then into the soil. This acts as a natural filtration process to clean water as it filters through different layers in the ground.

Recycled Green Glass: 15% of the exterior concrete around the facility have green glass in them.One way to keep glass (especially green) out of the landfill is to mix it into concrete.
Thanks to the research that has been done here at MSU, we were able to use some on this project.

Low VOC Furnishings and Material: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refer to organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures which can affect the environment and human health. All the paint, adhesives, carpeting and interior furnishings in the building meet the LEED standards by having low or no volatile organic compounds.

These are just some of the many examples used throughout the building, all of which have helped us to reach the gold.

MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center earns LEED gold certification

The Michigan State University Surplus Store and Recycling Center has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certification.

Gold certification is the second-highest designation offered by the USGBC. Two other MSU buildings have earned LEED silver certification: The Kellogg Biological Station dairy facility and the Chemistry Building addition.

Opened in September 2009, the center contains a number of green features, including recycled green glass, which is mixed in the concrete around the building. Rainwater collection provides 60 percent of filtered gray water for toilets, urinals and power washers. Rooftop solar panels produce 10 percent of the building's electricity.

"This was a fantastic team effort by all, and I want to thank our design and construction team for their participation, persistence, collaboration and continued support of the project," said Lynda Boomer, an energy and environmental engineer with MSU's Power Plant.

"I was very excited because all along we were striving for silver certification," said Chris Burns, construction manager for the project.

Burns said earning gold certification showed him that focusing on the additional details of the design paid off.

"It validated all the extra efforts we put into the project as a team. We couldn't have achieved it without each group stepping up and playing a role in the project."

Located off of Farm Lane on campus, the center accommodates three times the amount of materials as the former MSU recycling facility.

With its comprehensive design, the MSU Surplus Store emulates the facility's sustainable practices by encouraging faculty, staff, students and community members to reuse. The Surplus Store handles used university property from a multiple departments and facilitates sale or donation of materials, reducing waste.

Inventory includes items such as office and residence hall furniture, lab equipment and supplies, vehicles, computers, farm equipment and books.

A comprehensive recycling program, coupled with the facility, has allowed the university to expand recycling collection in 553 buildings on campus. The five target materials are white paper, mixed office paper, newspaper, cardboard, and plastics.

The 74,000-square-foot center houses the MSU Surplus Store, recycling operations, offices, and education center; storage areas for compost and metal scrap; a truck scale; and space for roll-off and semi-trailer storage containers.

In May the center earned the Recycler of the Year award from the Michigan Recycling Coalition, one of the state's top nonprofit groups working to advance resource-conservation issues.

New Conference Table

The new recycled glass conference room table at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center has been installed. This beautiful table was created and donated by EnviroGLAS of Plano, TX.

The table is made of three piece for a total size of 5 feet across and 14 feet in length and a inch thick. The center portion has an inset metal "S" with green glass surrounding it.

Construction Progress - Part XXV

Furniture is starting to go into the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center as we are in the home stretch of finishing the new facility. On the exterior the landscaping and paving have been finished and just fences and gates are yet to be installed. The MSU Recycling processing area is fully functional with lots of bails being churned out already.

On the interior we have most all of the major elements of the building finished with just the continued installation of the furniture to be completed. Carpets, cabinets, and counter tops have all be installed and the framework for the modular furniture has been finished.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIX
• Construction Progress: Part XX
• Construction Progress: Part XXI
• Construction Progress: Part XXII
• Construction Progress: Part XXIII
• Construction Progress: Part XXIV

Construction Progress - Part XXIV

Our new building is almost complete as doors, lights, electricity are being completed and the bathrooms are now fully finished at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. All of the exterior doors are now in and the MSU Surplus Store entrance has now been completed. Pavement has been laid through out most of the facility and even some landscaping is starting to show up in areas.

On the interior the bathrooms have been finished and many of the smaller finishing touches are being completed in preparation for furniture installation coming later this month.

In the MSU Recycling processing area, equipment testing has started and we now even have some materials being processed at the facility. On the processing floor large modular concert blocks have been placed for keeping the different materials separated. In addition all of the rain water retention barrels have now been installed.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIX
• Construction Progress: Part XX
• Construction Progress: Part XXI
• Construction Progress: Part XXII
• Construction Progress: Part XXIII

Construction Progress - Part XXIII

We are getting closer and closer to the completion of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. We are expecting to move to the new building in two months from now. Work is still continuing both inside and outside as sidewalks and parking lots are being paved.The ceilings are installed and electrical wires are being run.

The most exciting new feature is a large block S located by the MSU Surplus Store main entrance. It will be visible from Green Way (our new road) to make it easy to locate our main entrance.

Inside most of the large MSU Recycling equipment is installed, including the sort line and baler . The rain water retention bins that store gray water for use in the building are installed, including much of the pipes to collect and move this water.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIX
• Construction Progress: Part XX
• Construction Progress: Part XXI
• Construction Progress: Part XXII

Construction Progress - Part XXII

It has been a while since we've had an update on the new facility. Today we have a very large update of photos, including some major new additions. Starting on the exterior of the building, the good weather has allowed the start on many of the sidewalks around the building including the MSU Surplus Store Outside Covered Sales Area. Many of the roadways and parking areas are being graded and leveled throughout the job site. A major new addition is the truck scale located on the southwest corner of the facility, where MSU Surplus Store and MSU Recycling trucks will be able to weigh materials that are being processed through the facility. On the north side of the site we also have the start of the MSU Recycling drop off area, which will provide 24 hour access to recycling containers for MSU students, faculty and staff.

The largest new feature on the inside of the facility is the large conveyor, sorting line and baler in the MSU Recycling processing area. This equipment assists in moving items into sorting containers and then moves the product to the compactor for preparation for shipment to off site recycling facilities. Many of the finish items such as doors, electrical and networking outlets have been installed as the buildings completion date approaches.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIX
• Construction Progress: Part XX
• Construction Progress: Part XXI

Map to our New Building and Artist Renderings

We have an early version of the new MSU Campus Map that includes our new facility and roads that we will be close by. We are currently located on the left side of the map and will be moving to our new location just off of Farm Lane on the right side of the map. There will be two new roads that will be bordering our building; Green Way on the north side running East/West and then Recycling Road that will provide access from Service Road. You can also see where the MSU Recycling drop off will be located. It will allow for easy drive through access to recycling containers 24 hours a day.

We also have added some artist rendering of the completed MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. We have an aerial drawing and a few ground level drawings of the new building. In addition we have artist rendering of the MSU Recycling Center public drop-off for MSU employees and students and of the MSU Recycling processing floor and material flow.

Solar Panels

Last time we had ground photos of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center's solar panels from the roof, now we have some closer photos taken from the roof which show the panels in much greater detail. This system will have a real time display in the lobby to show electricity generated. Current estimates are that over 7.5% of the buildings energy will be provided from this renewable energy source.

Also be sure to check out the list of other LEED certification items for the new building.

Aerial Photos of MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center

We have some awesome aerial photos of the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center taken by Mark Staton who is helping construct the new facility. Here you can see the the progress of the entire job site and even the construction work on the Farm Lane Underpasses in the backgrounds of some of the photos.

Construction Progress - Part XXI

The detail work on the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center is continuing as many smaller projects are being completed through out the building. One of the largest projects is the installation of the roof solar panels on the south end of the building. The pads for outdoor materials collection and storage for compost, scrap metal and other materials has been finished on the South East side of the building. The rain water collection and retention system is also still being installed in some areas as the drainage pipes are being connected to the main storage area which now has the concrete retention based poured and installed. On the interior of the building most all of the ceilings and walls on the MSU Surplus Store side of the building have been completed and the offices areas have the finishing touches being done on the walls and start of ceiling installation. In the MSU Recycling processing area the HVAC and radiant heating elements are now going in as the main receiving docks have been finished in this area.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIX
• Construction Progress: Part XX

Construction Progress - Part XX

Construction at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center continues as some of the detail items are starting to show up inside and outside the new facility. On the outside, the screen wall separating the MSU Surplus Store and MSU Recycling has been completed with the addition of the wire mesh for green plants to grow on. This should create a great looking and helpful visual screen for the processing side of MSU Recycling. On the inside, the biggest change is the newly poured floors in the MSU Recycling processing area, so now all floors have been installed throughout the building. In the other areas we have paint going up on many of the walls. The MSU Surplus Store's sales floor and the MSU Storage area there is now paint going up on its internal masonry walls. The internal offices also now have paint up on many of the walls as we come closer and closer to our late summer early fall completion date.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIX

Construction Progress - Part XIX

Construction continues at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling center, as there have been some more updates to the exterior of the building as well as the interior. On the outside, work has focused on the completion of the roofing system (90% complete), the completion of the roof over the MSU Surplus Store vestibule entrance and the start of the water retention pond on the southeast end of the site. On the interior all the masonry work has been completed (only washing/cleaning remains) and much of the interior drywall has been finished in the interior office areas. The MSU Surplus Store and the MSU Storage areas now have paint on many of the walls. In the MSU Recycling processing floor additional floor drains have been added and temporary heat has been installed to start the pouring of the processing area's floors. Mechanically much has been completed as the power to the building has been completed and permanent power systems should be online shortly. Again the project is expected to be done in time for the beginning of the 2009-10 school year.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII
• Construction Progress: Part XVIII

Construction Progress - Part XVIII

With the improving weather (temperature wise at least) work resumes on the exterior portions of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. The screen wall that is located between the MSU Surplus Store/office area and the MSU Recycling processing area has started to go up. This wall will be a combination of brick wall and natural vegetation screening to separate the two areas of the complex. On the interior of the building HVAC and electrical continues to be installed through out the facility and the interior office areas have had their electrical and drywall installed. Hopefully with the continuing improving weather the floors should be poured in the Recycling processing area soon.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available. We would also like to thank Irish Construction Company who has been very gracious in allowing us access and keeping us up to date with the progress of construction.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI
• Construction Progress: Part XVII

Construction Progress - Part XVII

While on the outside there may not seem to be many changes there has been quite a bit of progress on the interior portion of the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. Since we last posted an update, the floors have been finished in the both the MSU Surplus Store sales floor as the well as the storage facility. We have seen the placement of exterior windows for the MSU Recycling office and Education Center. In addition the interior walls have been installed for the MSU Surplus Store offices and electrical conduit and drywall are being installed now. Work mainly continues installed the electrical and HVAC systems for the facility.

Previous Updates

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V
• Construction Progress: Part VI
• Construction Progress: Part VII
• Construction Progress: Part VIII
• Construction Progress: Part IX
• Construction Progress: Part X
• Construction Progress: Part XI
• Construction Progress: Part XII
• Construction Progress: Part XIII
• Construction Progress: Part XIV
• Construction Progress: Part XV
• Construction Progress: Part XVI

Construction Progress - Part VI

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV
• Construction Progress: Part V

Construction at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center continues. Unfortunately, we missed last week's update so this week we can see quite a bit of progress. The entire building's outer wall foundations are now finished and the retaining walls by both the Recycling and Surplus docks have been completed. Work has begun on the inner portion of the building with the pillar footings inside of the Surplus Store being placed. Most importantly, the water mains have been run to the building so this facility will have running water! Work has also started on the water retention pond that will be located on the southeast corner of the site for which water drainage and pipes are now being installed.

Remember to keep checking back for more updates! Also don't forget that we have a compilation of all of the constructions photos available.

Construction Progress - Part V

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III
• Construction Progress: Part IV

Construction continues on the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center and this week we saw the continuation of the wall placements. We were fortunate to see the actual pouring of the walls into the wall molds. Most of the southern portion of the wall base has been completed and is gradually moving northward from the Recycling side of the facility into the Surplus side of the building.

Remember to keep checking back for more photos and updates on the progress of construction.

Construction Progress - Part IV

• Construction Progress: Part I
• Construction Progress: Part II
• Construction Progress: Part III

Construction continues on the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center and this week has marked the first appearance of the outer walls of the building. While these are only the footings for the walls you can start to see the outline of the facility and the location of many of the features of the building. Also included below is a photo of a cross section of the footings that were shown last week. You can see how the small pebbles were injected down into the soil to provide the foundation footings of the building.

Remember to keep checking back for more photos and updates on the progress of construction.

Construction Progress - Part III

Construction continues for the new MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Facility. Last time we visited the site were were able to see the process of placing the footings for the facility. This work is continuing for now with 50+ aggregate piers being installed per day. Overall there will be approximately 888 of these footings installed for the building. The newest part of the project is the start of the installation of the Storm Sewer Drains on the west side of the facility. This will be followed by sanitary, water main, then electric duct bank.

Rember to keep checking back for more photos and updates on the progress of construction.

Construction Progress - Part II

We promised last time that we would have more exciting photos of the job site. While the photos themselves may not be able to capture the work that was being done, there are many more interesting things happening on the job site now. What we have pictured is the start of the placement of the footings for the building. This involves a very large crane, a loader that can lift stones 75 feet in the air, and what can only be described as a 25-foot-tall jackhammer. The footing process involves the placement of stones underground to stabilize the footings of the building by basically injecting the fill underneath the top soil. This process makes the placement quick and easy, and we should see the construction moving onto the next phase in the very near future.

Keep checking back as we hope to update everyone weekly with new pictures and updates on the construction progress.