A look at ideas that top the Blue Sky Initiative list
GREEN ENERGY, CONSTRUCTION: Designing dormitories to promote sustainability, using passive solar, thermal or photovoltaic solar energy. A fund for energy conservation in buildings. Cooperative generation or purchasing of alternative forms of energy.
FOOD, LAND USE, CONSERVATION: An Edible Campuses Project to integrate food production into landscape design. “Real Food for the Five,” which would link campuses to regional organic farms. A Sustainable Landscape Project would encourage conversion of lawns to more ecologically friendly areas.
TRANSPORTATION: Improve PVTA Five College Bus System, use hybrid buses, expand routes. Reduce vehicle use by campus faculty, staff.
WASTE REDUCTION: Make all annual Five College events, such as commencements and sporting events, produce zero waste. Establish a place where students, faculty and staff could drop off or pick up used items.
WATER: Reduce landscape irrigation. Limit use of surfaces that drain directly into storm sewers. Promote use of municipal water instead of the bottled variety.
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