Green Buildings

LEED Silver Standard

ACC adopted a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver standard for all new construction and major renovation projects. Through ACC’s recent growth, the LEED principles have enabled the district to save energy and water while providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, staff, and faculty. Look for the LEED plaque at the entryway to your home campus!

Round Rock Campus

In 2012 the Round Rock Campus was awarded LEED NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design New Construction) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for sustainable design and construction principles. Features include:

  • 14% Solar Energy
  • 25% Energy Saving
  • Green Cleaning
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Green Education
  • 22% Recycled Materials
  • 51% Regional Material
  • 89% FSC Certified Wood
  • 79% Construction Waste Diversion
  • 43% Open Space
  • 5% Green Car Parking
  • 25% Water-saving Irrigation
  • 33% Water-saving Plumbing

Rio Grande Building 3000 Renovation

As part of the 50th annual Preservation Awards, the Heritage Society of Austin presented the Austin Community College District with the Adaptive Use Award in recognition of the college’s renovation of Building 3000 at Rio Grande Campus.

The building originally served as the gymnasium of Austin High School, opening in 1929. Rio Grande Campus occupies what was the main portion of the school.

Rio Grande Parking Garage

ACC’s Rio Grande parking garage received a 3-star rating from Austin Energy’s Green Building Program due to its use of eco-conscious construction materials, water and energy conservation, environmental quality, and waste diversion during the construction process. Some of the Rio Grande garage’s green features:

  • 80% construction waste diversion – This includes demolition debris, scrap, damaged or spoiled materials, and packaging material.
  • 90% locally harvested materials – Most construction materials were sourced within Texas, reducing transportation expenses, fuel consumption, and pollution.
  • 40% recycled material – Some material selected for this project contained recycled materials, including fly ash, which is waste material leftover when coal is burned to make electricity. 
  • Heat island effect-reducing surface – Reflective materials reduce the amount of heat absorbed and radiated by the garage.
  • 80% water consumption reduction – Choosing native and drought-tolerant landscaping, a high-efficiency watering system, and decomposed granite gravel xeriscaping reduces the need for potable water required for irrigation.
  • Low volatile organic compound coating – Low-VOC building materials and paints enhance occupant health.
  • Daylighting – Strategically placed glass reduces the need for electric lighting and saves energy.

District-wide Sustainability Practices

Green Cleaning

ACC started Green Cleaning practices in 2010. While occasional special cleaning might be necessary, our ordinary cleaning will be maintained to a higher and safer cleaning standard.

Custodial services are maintained at the minimum level of APPA II with environmentally preferable products including:

  • GreenSeal-certified cleaning chemicals
  • EPA preferred disinfectant
  • Reusable microfiber
  • Touchless foam dispenser – uses 1/2 the soap of conventional soap dispenser
  • Touchless paper towel dispenser – saves up to 30% of paper towels and uses 100% recycled paper
  • Coreless multi-pack toilet paper dispenser

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