12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Chris Dant — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:21:29 GMT

I am stunned that Prescott College in Prescott, AZ was not mentioned. Per capita, graduates at Prescott have done more in the areas of sustainability than any institution in the country...and done it for years. The college was founded for the liberal arts and the environment, back before most people even cared.

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Marie Evans — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:15:38 GMT

The description for Warren Wilson College doesn't cover the half of it...the farmland, timberland and gardens are managed by students who receive tuition credit for working.

WWC has one of the first building constructed on a college campus that was certified by LEEDS...the majority of the labor was from student crews.

Additionally, students initiated a vegetarian cafe, bio-diesel fuel for campus vehicles, constructed solar array to charge golf carts for campus use, and it goes on and on...check out their webpage describing all the campus's initiatives!

http://www.warren-wilson.edu/environmental/initiatives.php

Can you tell I'm a proud alum?

Marie Gassler Evans '81

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Meaghan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:15:09 GMT

I'm surprised that Colby College in Waterville, ME isn't mentioned either. It was recently named as the national winner of EPA’s 2007-2008 College & University Green Power Challenge, for buying 100 percent of their electricity demand from renewable sources such as hydro power and wind. (http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/788b0788494539c28525743a00716ae4?OpenDocument)

Gotta plug my school a bit there :)

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Lindsay — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:18:32 GMT

California State University, Chico should also be on that list!! Grist (http://www.grist.org) has placed CSU, Chico eighth on its list of “15 Green Colleges and Universities.” Other schools that made the list are Harvard, Yale, Oberlin, Middlebury, Tufts, University of British Columbia, Glasgow University, Leeds University in the United Kingdom, Evergreen State, and EARTH University in Costa Rica. So how did we not make this list?? Grist cited CSU, Chico’s recent first-place award from the National Wildlife Federation for work to combat global warming, as well as campus efforts in environmentally conscious building and solar energy. In addition, Grist noted that CSU, Chico students “have taken up the charge with energy-saving projects and sustainability-minded service-learning programs.”

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

uni.versatility — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:35:57 GMT

Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe has a PLATINUM-level LEED certified green building on campus. There's only 26 buildings in the world to-date with that high of a level of sustainable energy - and only five are connected with colleges or universities. They do things like take the melted snow from the roof and use it for non-potable water in the bathrooms. Pres. Clinton, Sen. Reid, Sen. Feinstein and several other government leaders came on the campus for an environmental forum on the accomplishments of the study of the clarity of Lake Tahoe.

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Maureen — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:17:11 GMT

Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida should also be in the list.

Eco-Clamshell

In July of 2007 Eckerd College was awarded a grant from the Environmental Research and Education Foundation to pursue the production of a reusable to-go container and system. This project developed from an Introduction to Environmental Studies audit conducted in the fall of 2004.

What is Reusable To-go and Why Does it Work?

Each year millions of clamshell polystyrene (Styrofoam) disposable containers end up in a landfill. This issue can be solved by implementing a reusable to-go system. The reusable to-go system consists of a durable, dishwasher-safe, hinged lid container called the “EcoClamshell.” Students check out the container from the cafeteria and return it later where it is then sanitized and put back out for reuse.

The reusable to-go system is a new model for waste reduction. This closed loop system minimizes the production of to-go containers, uses a product that can be recycled at the end of its lifespan, and cuts down on the amount of plastic material entering the landfill. The “EcoClamshell” was created with all of these points in mind.

The system is also an opportunity to incorporate recycling education into daily life. As individuals use these containers in place of the disposable alternative, they learn that sustainable solutions do not necessarily entail inconvenience. The system works in exactly the same fashion as its disposable counterpart.

Environmental Benefits of Program

These containers are manufactured and shipped less frequently than disposables.

Fewer natural resources are used because of the longer lifespan (years instead of a day).

The waste generated by disposable containers is avoided.

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Seth M — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:05:49 GMT

Evergreen!!!

woot woot!

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

A.J. — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:43:05 GMT

Empire State College in New York should be mentioned as it serves a large student body (18,000) with minimal brick and mortar space. The college is a leader in offering online courses across New York State. We also use geothermal pumps to power one of our main administrative buildings.

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

Solar Energy Information — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:40:05 GMT

Thanks for this great post............

re: 12 of the Greenest Colleges in America

scott e. — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:56:07 GMT

uvm vermont is thegreeneststate.com other places are nice too....we just need global warming to work it's magic on our winters thanks al gore