What's green on campus?
1.
Composting Bins:
Composting is natures way of disposing of trash. Carleton provides twelve composting bins for its campus houses. Composting helps reduce the amount of waste sent to local landfills and provides the campus with its own source of fertilizer. For more information from Carletons compost bin provider, visit: www.composters.com/docs/bins_p3.html#hc
Native Landscaping:
Carleton has various plots on campus that use native landscaping which work toward making the land closer to the way nature intended. Native Landscaping helps increase biodiversity, prevent erosion, reduce the need for additive chemicals, and reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance of landscaping. For information on native plantings, visit: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/
Sustainable Linoleum:
Rather than using vinyl tiling, Carleton has installed linoleum flooring. This linoleum is made from various mixtures of natural materials, and is bio-degradable. For further information on linoleum, visit: http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord/NaturalLinoleum.pdf
Exterior Siding of Townhouses:
The exterior of each townhouse is constructed with Hardi Board. Hardi Board, a mix of fiber and cement, is often used in Green Design and provides a durable, long lasting siding option. For more information on Carletons Hardi-Board supplier, visit: http://www.jameshardie.com/
2.
Drainage Pond:
This drainage pond collects storm water run-off from the road and townhouse area on the slope above it and helps to filter the water before it disperses into the Cannon River.
3.
Custodial Chemicals:
The Maintenance and Custodial Services Office uses a variety of safe and non-toxic chemicals for cleaning and maintenance of the college
4.
Recycled Paints:
Secondhand, re-mixed paints are used in residential housing. Recycled paints create a new market for former waste, and can be up to fifty percent less expensive than new paints, while still performing at the same level. For more on recycled paint information visit: www.moea.state.mn.us/lc/purchasing/latexpaint.cfm
5.
Midwest Food Alliance:
Sodexho Food Services currently partners with two local food growers who have been endorsed by the Midwest Food Alliance. The Midwest Food Alliances members use environmentally and socially responsible farming techniques. Besides the positive benefits of using responsible farming techniques, buying from local growers also helps to support the local economy as well as decrease pollution caused by shipping.
For more information on where Carleton gets its food, visit:
www.foodalliance.org/midwest
Organic Salad Fixings in Dining Halls:
Many of the fixings at the salad bar come from an organic farm in California, including baby spinach, mixed greens, and other vegetables.
6.
Recycled Material in Severance Hall Renovation:
The renovations in Sevy incorporated reusable parts of the original building into the new design. Recycling building materials in reconstruction is a
fundamental method to cut down on consumption and waste.
Recycled Paints:
Secondhand, remixed paints are used in residential housing. Recycled paints create a new market for former waste, and can be up to fifty percent less expensive then new paints, while still performing at the same level. For more on recycled paint information visit: www.moea.state.mn.us/lc/purchasing/latexpaint.cfm
Sustainable Linoleum:
Rather than use vinyl tiling, Carleton has installed linoleum flooring. This linoleum is made from various mixtures of natural materials, and is bio-degradable. For further information on linoleum, visit: http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord/NaturalLinoleum.pdf
Faculty Lounge Cork Floor:
The flooring in the Faculty Lounge is made from cork oak tree bark. Because they regenerate their bark, cork oak trees do not have to be cut down for their cork and can provide a sustainable alternative that is quite common in Green Design. For further information on cork flooring, visit: http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=050110a.xml
7.
Recycling Bins:
Carleton recycles mixed-use office paper as well as commingled cans and glass bottles. Recycling bins are located in multiple locations in every building on campus.
Fair Trade Organic Coffee:
Carleton provides Fair Trade Organic Coffee in the Snack Bar. By providing this coffee over conventional coffee, they are supporting coffee that is made under fair, safe, and healthy conditions and providing these coffee-growers with a sustainable form of income.
For more information on Carletons Fair Trade Coffee provider, visit: http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/navCategory.aspx?DeptName=OurCoffees&Name=FairTradeOrganic
8.
Lighting and Energy Improvements:
Carleton Facilities provides the campus with T-8 lighting, a super energy efficient form of lighting that decreases energy use.
9.
Paper:
Currently the campus uses 30% recycled paper. For more on Carletons paper use, visit: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/facilities/sustainability/sustain/
10.
Corn Gluten Fertilizer:
Carleton uses Corn Gluten Fertilizer on all of its turf areas. Corn gluten, a bi-product of corn, is a great source of nitrogen for lawns, and also acts as an effective weed control product. It is a safe product for mature plants, animals and people. Carleton uses corn gluten from an ethanol plant in Claremont, MN. For more information on corn-gluten from Carletons provider, visit http://www.al-corn.com/
11.
Lower Arb Parking Lot:
Located adjacent to the Cannon River, this parking lot features a vegetated swale on the perimeter to help clean storm water run-off. The water then passes into a second swale, and finally, after this two step process, drains into the Cannon River.
Ox Bow Drainage Pond in the Arboretum:
This man-made lake has been a very successful drainage unit as many native species have rooted themselves in and around its perimeter. It serves as a holding pond for storm water run-off from the paved Rec center parking lots on the hill above before the water enters the Cannon River system.
13.
Arb Prairies:
Since European settlement, almost all of the native prairie has been lost. Carleton has been slowly restoring prairie to the Arboretum, beginning with Hillside Prairie in 1978. While not in the Arb, Carleton owns McKnight Prairie a few miles away which is the most intact remnant of native prairie we have and has been useful in the prairie restoration efforts within the Arb. To learn more go to the Carleton Arboretum website: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/
14.
Wind Turbine:
The energy provided by Carletons wind turbine goes directly into the local Xcel energy power grid, increasing the amount of green power available for use. It helps to decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, and also will prove to be cost-effective. For more information on Carletons wind turbine, visit http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/facilities/sustainability/Green_Power_Wind_Turbine/
15.
Bald Spot:
The Bald Spot can be considered a designated green space on campus. Although there is not formal commitment to preserving the Bald Spot as green space, the campuss attachment to it is such that it will inevitably remain a grassy space surrounded by trees. Green spaces filter pollution, prevent erosion, cool ambient air, and ultimately act as a carbon sink, which help to combat global warming. For information on Carletons Bald Spot, visit: http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/character/traditions/
16.
Paper:
Currently the campus uses 30% recycled paper. For more on Carletons paper use, visit: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/facilities/sustainability/sustain/
17.
Green Roof:
Located on a part of Olins roof, Carletons green roof was installed in the spring of 2005. Green roofs, by cooling their surroundings during the summer, and providing some insulation during the winter, help to reduce energy expenditures. Green roofs reduce water runoff, and wear and tear on a roof. They also add a natural, green aesthetic. For more information on Carletons green roof, visit: http://people.carleton.edu/%7Elordj/Olinroof.htm
18.
Sustainable Linoleum:Rather than use vinyl tiling, Carleton has installed linoleum flooring. This linoleum is made from various mixtures of natural materials, and is bio-degradable. For further information on linoleum, visit: http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord/NaturalLinoleum.pdf
Recycled Carpeting, Particularly prominent in the Language and Dining Center:These carpets are derived primarily from post-consumer plastic soft drink bottles and provide a sustainable alternative to non-recycled carpet. For further information on Carleton's Carpet, visit: http://www.interfaceflooring.com/sustain/ReEntry.pdf
Light Shelves:
This passive architectural mechanism allows natural light to permeate deep inside a building, thus cutting down on the amount of electrical light used inside. For more information on light shelves: http://www.greenbiz.com/toolbox/howto_third.cfm?LinkAdvID=23607
Photo Sensitive Light System:
This lighting system automatically reduces the amount of electric light used in a room when more natural light is available. For more information on photo-sensitive light systems, visit: http://www.greenbiz.com/toolbox/howto_third.cfm?LinkAdvID=23607
Midwest Food Alliance:
Sodexho Food Services currently partners with two local food growers who have been endorsed by the Midwest Food Alliance. The Midwest Food Alliances members use environmentally and socially responsible farming techniques. Besides the positive benefits of using responsible farming techniques, buying from local growers also helps to support the local economy as well as decrease pollution caused by shipping.
For more information on where Carleton gets its food, visit:
www.foodalliance.com/midwest
Organic Salad Fixings in Dining Halls:
Many of the fixings at the salad bar come from an organic farm in California, including baby spinach, mixed greens, and other vegetables.
19.
Sustainable Linoleum:
Rather than using vinyl tiling, Carleton has installed linoleum flooring. This linoleum is made from various mixtures of natural materials, and is bio-degradable. For further information on linoleum, visit: http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord/NaturalLinoleum.pdf
20.
Native Landscaping:Carleton has various plots on campus that use native landscaping which work toward making the land closer to the way nature intended. Native Landscaping helps increase biodiversity, prevent erosion, reduce the need for additive chemicals, and reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance of landscaping. For information on native plantings, visit: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/
21.
Gardens at Farmhouse:
The eleven residents of Farmhouse, as well as volunteers, help maintain an organic garden which supplies those residents with much of their produce needs. They also often hold potlucks, where they invite community members and students to enjoy delicious organic and sustainable foods.
22.
Strawbale Warehouse:Straw bale construction provides better insulation to help reduce heating and cooling costs. Straw is a non-toxic, renewable resource that helps to preserve forests by reducing lumber needs. Straw, as a by-product from grains, can provide additional income to farmers. For more information on Carletons Straw bale warehouse visit www.apps.carleton.edu/campus/facilities/sustainability/environemntal_house. Back to Map
23.
Facilities Compost Pile:
Near the Bone Yard, facilities maintains a compost pile for Arb waste. This Arb waste is composted and used by farmhouse residents on the organic garden and is sometimes used as fertilizer on other parts of the campus.
24.
Arb Office Parking Lot:This parking lot is a pervious surface, using metal cylinders and gravel to allow storm water to soak into the ground and not run off down the hillside.
25.
Bone Yard:
The Bone Yard is what facilities calls the storage area across from Farm House. This storage space holds the dumpsters for Carletons recyclables, like old furniture and left-over building material for repairs. Also, it contains fallen trees from the Arb, which are cut and used by art students in the studios.
26.
Composting Bins:
Composting is natures way of disposing of trash. Carleton provides twelve composting bins for its campus houses. Composting helps reduce the amount of waste sent to local landfills and provides the campus with its own source of fertilizer. For more information from Carletons compost bin provider, visit: www.composters.com/docs/bins_p3.html#hc
27.
Native Landscaping:
Carleton has various plots on campus that use native landscaping which work toward making the land closer to the way nature intended. Native Landscaping helps increase biodiversity, prevent erosion, reduce the need for additive chemicals, and reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance of landscaping. For information on native plantings, visit: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/
28.
Myers Parking Lot:
This vegetated swale helps to clean storm water run-off from the parking lot. It is planted with Big Bluestem, a native prairie grass, which has dense roots to filter the storm water, and dramatic foliage to beautify the parking area and connect it to the surrounding native habitat.
29.
Arb Prairies:Since European settlement, almost all of the native prairie has been lost. Carleton has been slowly restoring prairie to the Arboretum, beginning with Hillside Prairie in 1978. While not in the Arb, Carleton owns McKnight Prairie a few miles away which is the most intact remnant of native prairie we have and has been useful in the prairie restoration efforts within the Arb. To learn more go to the Carleton Arboretum website: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/arb/
30.
Ink Cartridge Recycling:
Carleton recycles its used ink cartridges in a bin in the Computing and Mathematics Center. Each individual cartridge is placed
in a bag and then returned to Carletons major ink cartridge supplier.
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