SC Green Initiatives

The following are Springfield College initiatives in support of increased sustainability and reduced emissions, energy use, and carbon footprint.

Some of the recently completed SC Green Initiatives include:

• Signed the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).
• Conducted a campus-wide energy reduction study.
• Completed an emissions inventory for fiscal year 2007-08.
• Purchased energy-star-rated appliances.
• Instituted a campus-wide recycling program, and expanded the recycling program to include concrete, pallets, pc’s, monitors, printers, lightbulbs, batteries, mixed paper, bottles, cans, metal, books, propane and refrigerant tanks, appliances, and cardboard.
• Switched 70% of the College’s electricity supply to TransCanada, a company that has a mix of supply with less fossil fuel.
• Replaced the heating systems in Babson Library, Allied Health Sciences Center, the Art Linkletter Natatorium, Abbey-Appleton Hall, and the Town houses with a more efficient gas-fired system.
• Negotiated a contract to only burn natural gas (instead of fuel oil) at the College’s central Power House and at the Physical Education Complex.
• Removed the last buried fuel oil tank on campus (located at the Physical Education Complex).
• Expanded the recycling initiative for the collection of mixed paper, bottles, and cans in residence halls and at large student functions.
• Consolidated all medical waste pickups into four locations, four times per year.
• Reduced the amount of chemicals used and stored at the Schoo-Bemis Science Center.
• Purchased several electric-powered golf carts for use by Facilities and Campus Services (grounds, trades, student led EMT club, and post office functions).
• Switched to Green Seal toilet tissue and 100-percent recycled paper towels.
• Instituted purchase of cleaning chemicals in bulk. Command Centers have been installed throughout the campus where the concentrates are mixed with water, using less chemical in a safer amount.
• Removed the turf at Stagg Field; it was shipped to a facility for recycling into products such as floor mats.
• Reclaimed asphalt under the turf at Stagg Field; it was sent to a processing yard for use in other construction projects.
• Removed all asbestos-containing materials at major construction projects: Hickory Hall, Judd Gymnasia, Weiser Hall, Woods Hall, the Beveridge Center, the Schoo-Bemis Science Center, and Judd Gymnasia.
• Utilized, and will continue to utilize, an extensive landscape planting plan, including tree planting, for all construction projects.
• Eliminated the use of hazardous chemicals and moved to a copier-based, chemical-less process in the campus Print Shop.
• Reduced landfill debris during renovations to Hickory Hall by recycling concrete, ceiling tiles, metal, electronics, furniture, and glass.
• Introduced a food waste composting program in Cheney Dining Hall.
• Compost all leaves collected on campus.
• Disposed of all unused paints, solvents, and chemicals.
• Removed and replanted several trees prior to construction of the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union.
• Replaced the hot water system in Reed Hall with a more efficient unit.
• Replaced all the high bay lighting in the PE Complex's Blake Arena, Dana Gym, Kresge Gym and Racquetball Courts with efficient fluorescent lighting and motion sensors. Additionally, replaced lighting in the Combatives room and added motion control to the hallways. Project will save an estimated 140,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
• Continued to specify new eco friendly Kone elevators that use less energy and no oil. Two units were installed in the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union and one in the Stitzer YMCA Center.

Here are some upcoming actions that will be taken:

• Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions for fiscal year 2010-2011.
• Development of a Climate Action Plan that includes a target date and interim milestones for achieving climate neutrality (defined as having no net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions), which is achieved through conservation, renewable energy, and carbon offsets.