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UAlbany Launches "Go Green"

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Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 13, 2006) -- The University at Albany today kicked off "UAlbany Goes Green," a comprehensive environmental initiative encouraging the University at Albany faculty, staff, and students to "think and act green" by embracing the University's responsibility to conserve, recycle, and beautify the campus and environment.

The Go Green Festival, held on the uptown campus, featured Provost Susan Herbst and student and faculty members of the UAlbany Task Force on Environmental Sustainability naming the winners of a campus-wide recycling competition. The contest, held among the Quads for the residence halls which could collect the most recyclable material in a two-week period, was won by Indian Quad, which recycled 15 cubic yards of glass, metal, and plastic. Quad leaders were presented a trophy of a Great Dane crafted from recycled metals. The Quads collected a total of 60 cubic yards of recyclable material in the two-week period.

"We're very proud of our students' commitment to 'thinking green' and acting green," said Susan Herbst, UAlbany's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, "It's important that we understand our responsibility to create and sustain a healthy environment, not just for ourselves but as an example of how a large and diverse community can address a collective goal."

The Go Green Festival included the unveiling of plans for the Purple Path, a multi-use, environmentally friendly pathway around the inner perimeter of University Drive. The path, intended to be used by both the campus and neighboring communities for walking, jogging, biking and navigating the campus, was designed by the Purple Path Planning Studio, a graduate studio of the Department of Geography and Planning, which won a American Planning Association Regional Award for the design. View the Purple Path plans >>

To promote the consumption of locally grown produce, a farmers' market featuring regional farmers offered an array of squash, pumpkins, honey, and apples. Dining Services by Chartwells, UAlbany's food service provider, pledged this year to double its annual procurement of produce from local farms, bolstering the regional economy and adding local variety to the dining hall offerings. Chartwells donated proceeds from the market to the Holiday Hunger Appeal of the Regional Food Bank. University Auxiliary Services and vendors Canteen Vending and Barnes & Noble Bookstore presented the Regional Food Bank with a check for $2,500. Coca-Cola Enterprises also donated $1,000 to the Food Bank's efforts.

In addition, the Go Green Fair included a demonstration of the University at Albany's Public bus system, with information on UAlbany's program to reduce dependence on fuels while offering efficient, every 10-minute transportation between campuses.

UAlbany's Go Green initiative and Task Force for Environmental Sustainability reinforce the University's recycling program through promoting research and education aimed at lowering consumption, protecting environmental resources, improving transportation efficiency, and reducing waste. In the past four years alone, UAlbany has recycled more than 3,000 tons—including an average of 1.7 million pounds of paper a year—or approximately 83 pounds per person. The University spends more than $15 million in utility costs in one year and the campus Physical Plant Department maintains an annual budget of $96,000 for recycling and refuse removal. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to "think green" by embracing the University's responsibility, as a 20,000-person-strong community, to conserve, recycle, and beautify the campus and environment. Resources to be environmentally responsible include events and activities—including "UAlbany Goes Green"—are scheduled throughout the calendar year to educate and engage the campus.