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Starting Small: Sustainability
Initiatives
As a result of the college’s commitment,
numerous conservation initiatives small and large have been launched or are in the
planning stages. The college’s repertoire of recycling efforts is continuously
expanding. In addition to the cardboard, glass, plastic and paper that have been
collected and sold for re-use for many years, Smith recycles furniture, mattresses,
doors, carpeting, computers, books and a list of miscellaneous items.
Other examples
of recycling, reduction of energy use and heightened environmental consciousness
at Smith include:
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In late May, when departing
students left behind more than six tons and several thousand dollars worth
of apparel in their residences (as they do every year), Smith’s Physical
Plant personnel collected the garments and organized a donation to victims
of the December 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. |
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This year, more than
240 75-watt incandescent lightbulbs will be replaced with 16-watt fluorescent
lights in Smith student houses, significantly reducing the college’s
energy load and saving more than 88,000 kilowatts of electricity and $7,300
a year. |
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In 2004-05, Smith
collected and sold or donated more than 500 tons of recycled cardboard, bottles
and cans, and paper. |
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Two years ago, Smith’s
Information Technology Services began activating power-saving options on the
college’s computers, which automatically shuts them down when not in
use, saving more than $60,000 a year and conserving hundreds of thousands of
kilowatt hours -- enough electricity to power several hundred U.S. homes for
a month. |
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During the 2004-05
academic year, more than 1,800 students signed a petition in support of clean
energy at Smith. |
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