Environmental Awards and Recognition
In recent years Colby has been honored for outstanding efforts in environmental protection with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Merit Award for 2003 and two Maine Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, in 2002 and 2004. In addition, Colby’s environmental initiatives were included in the EPA guide Best Practices for Colleges and Universities. Recognition is nice, but the important thing is that Colby’s campus is a better place to live and work, and negative effects on the environment have been reduced dramatically.
Environmental Initiatives
- Geothermal heating and cooling in the newest College building
- Co-generation of electricity at the campus heating plant
- A contract to purchase only electricity made from renewable resources resulting in no net gain in greenhouse gas production
- Minimizing food waste in the dining halls and extensive composting of grass clippings, etc.
- Serving only fish caught or raised with minimal adverse environmental impact
- Buying local produce whenever possible
- New super-efficient, front-loading washing machines in residence halls, saving some $10,000 annually in water and energy consumption
- Motion sensors in vending machines power down lighting displays when no one is around
- Students hold competitions to see which senior apartment can use the least energy
