Binghamton University Greener

Many steps of progress have occurred over the last year at BU. Hopefully, the trend will continue.

The university joined the AASHE - Association for the Advancement of Sustainability In Higher Education. Big name, big organization, big dreams. All good things.

The membership allows anyone associated with the university to access the information, go to its seminars, classes, meetings and gives access to many green collar jobs. It also allows for networking with fellow campuses who are striving for the same goals, which fosters a more rapid learning curve and evolution toward full sustainability and 0-carbon footprint campuses. That is very cool!

The dorms have initiated a self-regulated "Green Games" that provides ways for all residents and staff members of the halls to participate with some very nice awards given! An article in the University's Paper - The Pipe Dream

Monday's Binghamton Press had an article written by Rich Herb, who is the food service manager of Dickinson Hall regarding a campus-wide initiative to compost and recycle as much as possible. In the 12 months they've been actively practicing recycling and composting, they've diverted over 254,000 pounds from the landfill, using the compost on-site for the landscaping and growing of fruits and vegetables for use on campus. These efforts have increased their efficiency throughout the food service sector, saving them overtime expenses, increasing their safety scores and saving huge amount of money in landfill tipping fees.

If you feel you could contribute something meaningful to the Green Games, please contact Dickinson Hall. They are eager to bring in outside sources of information to help with their efforts.

Binghamton NY Sustainability Meeting

Visioning Workshop Kicks off Sustainability Center Effort

Binghamton, NY –Southern Tier citizens from all walks of life will gather to discuss founding principles and programs for a new Sustainability on Saturday, April 12, 2008, 1:00 pm – 4:00pm, in the Decker Room of the Broome County Public Library (185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY).

All groups or individuals with an interest in sustainability are welcome, and are encouraged to join in the continuing promotion and development of sustainability practices in the area.

The Southern Tier Sustainability Planning Committee, builds on decades of work in this area and was initiated by The Susquehanna Group of the Sierra Club along with the City of Binghamton, Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Earth Day Southern Tier, and VINES.

The topics for discussion are many, and include, but are not limited to:

promoting the localization of economic activity, particularly in cultivation and accessibility of healthy food,
the protection of green space and natural ecosystems,
green building renovation and construction,
alternative energy,
sustainable social and economic practices that generate local weath and well-being, such as living wage jobs, accessible and high quality health, educational and other social services,
high environmental standards,
and non-violent conflict resolution.

However the vision is defined, the center will serve as a catalyst and support for existing activities and groups, in addition to launching new efforts as needed.