It’s not just a trend – it’s the new way of life. Colleges around the world are making their best efforts to clean up their acts, from using renewable energy sources and conserving water to composting and recycling. The latest colleges to jump aboard include a slew of schools in the Los Angeles, California area including East LA College, Santiago Canyon College, Santa Clara University and Stanford University.
From Greenopia:
Last Spring, East Los Angeles College installed 5,952 solar panels, which will create nearly half of the college’s energy. Placed hanging over 530 parking spaces on a campus lot, the panels are expected to last for forty years, produce 1.9 million kilowatts annually, and save the college around $270,000 a year. The LA Times reports that “The Los Angeles Community College Districts, which includes East Los Angeles, is undergoing one of the largest green building efforts in the country’s public sector, with more than 40 buildings planned and all facilities set to employ only renewable energy.”
It’s not just the junior college sector that’s taking on a green sheen. Back in 2004, the UC university system passed a policy determining all new or renovated building had to be environmentally friendly. Recent reports now reveal this has saved the system nearly $5 million dollars. Now, building green on campus has become much more mainstream. Plus, campuses can boast a recent study showing “eco-friendly construction helps lower absenteeism, proves productivity and staves off health problems for students and teachers.”
Santiago Canyon College has vertical perforated solar fins cooling their library. Santa Clara University boasts a building comprised of carpet tiles made of yarn and also has a student-built solar house for the biennial Solar Decathlon. And, Stanford now has a building partially constructed from redwood salvaged from old wine vats.
We love how colleges and universities are embracing ‘green’ and making it work for them – so many people are finding that not only can they help reduce their ecological footprint, they can save money at the same time! Colleges are getting really creative about the ways that they make sustainability a part of their campus operations. Love it!
Link [Greenopia]
Photo credit: Santa Clara Solar Decathlon
