The Sustainable CampusBeing sustainable is not easy. Being sustainable is essential. How does a growing global society learn to meet its needs while enhancing the opportunities for future generations to meet their needs? How does one person make a difference? Middlebury College accepts this challenge and demonstrates its sustainability ethic in all its undertakings, from policy to practice. It’s apparent at every turn—from our commitment to reduce our emissions of climate-warming carbon dioxide to levels below our 1990 levels, to the natural landscape design of the campus, to our award-winning campuswide recycling program, and to the dining hall waste that is turned into compost and used to nourish our landscape and greenhouse plants. Staff minimize paper consumption by routinely setting printers to print on both sides of paper that is made from 100% recycled paper. They contract with printing companies that use renewable energy and recycled paper and inks that are natural and not health-threatening for their employees. They make sure we are putting fuel-efficient, hybrid-electric vehicles in our car fleet and that we are using biofuels in our furnaces and diesel vehicles to further reduce our carbon dioxide emissions. Faculty encourage students to research sustainable approaches to life on and off campus. Students respond with solutions, like a comprehensive portfolio of initiatives for making significant reductions in our emissions of carbon dioxide, or our “yellow bike” system for convenient campus commutes, or a wind turbine that feeds renewable electricity to our recycling facility, or the recent decision to switch the fuel we use to heat, cool and power the campus from #6 fuel oil to wood from local forests managed so as to provide a sustainable supply of “carbon neutral” woodchips. The Environmental Council, a committee of students, staff, and faculty, advises the president on sustainability policies—environmental purchasing policies for example—and provides incentives through a grants program for students, faculty, and staff to keep sustainability at the forefront. The commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices is demonstrated by Middlebury’s new buildings that incorporate energy efficiency, locally harvested, green-certified wood, and by addressing the challenges of becoming less dependent on automobiles and more pedestrian friendly. Being sustainable is not easy, but it is possible when each of us does our part - and Middlebury is making that more common every day.
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