xpedx, one of the largest and premier distribution companies in North America, today announced, as part of its xpedx Campus Greening Challenge, an opportunity for Net Impact student chapters to lower the environmental impact of their college campuses. Teams of Net Impact students -- a global non-profit that inspires a new generation of leaders to work for a better world  -- will be challenged to develop new ideas that lead to more sustainable practices on their campuses, with the team showing the most progress to be chosen as the Challenge winner later this academic year.
 
“This is an opportunity for students to expand their future career skills while lowering the environmental impact of their campus,” said Dave Wallace, xpedx’s director, sustainability. “Responsible stewardship of natural resources at xpedx includes sustainable operations, sustainable product choices and sustainable business practices. All three elements will be key in the Campus Greening Challenge.”
 
Participating Net Impact chapters have until March 2012 to develop and execute their campus greening projects. Plans could include the use of green cleaning products, performance of energy audits, creation of a composting system or any number of ideas. An important part of each plan will include sustainability discussions with facility managers and fellow students.
 
“We want the students to be creative and find new and impactful ways to decrease the footprint of their campus,” Wallace said.
 
Students are challenged to come up with projects that are big picture, scalable and replicable, so the end result not only benefits their campus, but will also benefit campuses nationwide that have access to their project plans through the Net Impact network. The winning Net Impact team will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to present its plan to xpedx’s senior leadership.