Tomorrow ASU celebrates the new home of its Global Institute of Sustainability, which was recently renovated with an eye towards purchasing as many recycled and recyclable materials as possible. Recycled milk-jugs and aluminum cans are incorporated into countertops, light and motion-sensor lamps respond to natural light to save energy, and conference room chairs are made from 95% recycled materials.

Six wind turbines, each expected to provide about 1,000 watts, have been installed on the roof and will be turned on as soon as roof renovations are complete. Room has also been left for future solar panels, and the building is currently pursuing LEED certification.

While some of these features are cool, we're more interested in what will be going on in the building: the 30-year-old Global Institute of Sustainability is dedicated to conducting research and education programs supporting ecologically-friendly cities and communities, often using nearby Phoenix as a living laboratory. GIOS has developed curricula for k-12 education as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees, and helps to support ASU's goals of sustainable campus development.

Image: ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability, via ASU News