Green College Spotlight: Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY

Binghamton University was recognized by the Princeton Review as one of 11 colleges in America that reached the highest score possible, 99, on their new ‘green rating’ system.  It’s a well-deserved honor – Binghamton hasn’t just put sustainability initiatives at the top of their priorities on campus, they’ve also dedicated themselves to researching some of the planet’s most pressing challenges, from green technology to the proper management of precious natural resources.

Binghamton University – officially known as the State University of New York at Binghamton, or SUNY Binghamton – has adopted a wide variety of green programs and projects that encompass all aspects of campus operations, from implementing ‘Operation Green Space’, which transformed over 80,000 acres of paved areas to green space, to its Energy Management System (EMS) which monitors the school’s energy use.

The campus has gotten greener and greener every year, with students and faculty coming together to reduce energy consumption, conserve water, recycle as much as possible, cut down on unnecessary waste and use as much organic and local produce as possible throughout the year. Food waste is composted, a solar hot-water system is being installed and the campus is equipped with low-flow toilets and aerated faucets.  Electric motorcars and bikes are seen all over campus, parking meters are solar/battery powered and janitorial staff uses non-toxic cleaners.

Students have also participated in energy conservation contests, including one between residential halls in which the winning community, Dickinson, offered one-hour ‘blackouts’ and encouraged students to unplug electronic devices not in use. Other efforts include a student bus system, Move Out Week in which food and clothing are donated to charity, Zero Waste Earth Day, America Recycles Day and regular recycle ‘Blitz’ days.  This year’s energy savings was estimated at about 650,00 pounds of carbon.

Several of SUNY Binghamton’s buildings also received LEED certification including Mountainview’s Cascade and Windham Halls.  Green features in and around the buildings include water-efficient landscaping, use of local and regional materials, use of low-emitting materials, storm water management and indoor pollution controls.

Binghamton also offers more than 40 environment and sustainability courses each year, many of which are taught at the university’s 12,500-square-foot greenhouse. The E.W. Heier Teaching & Research Greenhouses functions as a living laboratory for the University’s plant and ecology related courses.  It holds over 6,000 exotic plants, representing over 1,200 distinct species.  Other ‘green’ research conducted at Binghamton University include sensor systems related to environmental technologies, the natural features and human effects on watersheds and alternative energy technology.

One of the things we might see coming out of Binghamton sometime soon is the world’s first affordable fuel cell car.  Right now, professor of chemistry Chuan-Jian Zhong is the lead researcher in a project that aims to lower the cost of manufacturing fuel cells, something that could be a huge breakthrough in the green auto industry.  We’re sure lots of fresh green ideas are going to be coming out of this school, and the world will be better off for it.

Link [Binghamton University]

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