Being environmentally friendly is the new trend for both Hollywood stars and everyday people, like college students. It seems that over the past couple of years people have become more environmentally conscious and many credit Al Gore for bringing global warming to the forefront in the media. Whatever caused the world to sit up and take notice, it’s working. Big businesses, private citizens and even universities, like Binghamton, have all taken steps to reducing energy waste and just being a little more green.

Karen Fennie, Physical Facilities spokesperson, detailed just how Binghamton University is stepping up to the green plate.

In addition to composting food waste from dining halls, Fennie said in an e-mail that the University has an organic garden off of Bunn Hill Road. The garden, Fennie said, is used for both academic purposes and for donation purposes.

“Approximately 350 pounds of organic potatoes, carrots and tomatoes, spinach and some lettuce, beets, kale and onions were delivered to the Samaritan House during the producing season,” she said. “The Ecological Agriculture class used the garden/compost site as a ‘field lab.’ Approximately 560 students in spring/fall 2006 semesters gained instruction or field work at the site in conjunction with the biology department and Physical Facilities.”

Both Cascade and Windham Hall of Mountainview College are certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings, Fennie said. LEED buildings are rated based on several factors including: “Site selection and development, water-efficient landscaping, use of local and regional materials, post-construction and pre-occupancy indoor air quality management and the ability to control building systems, daylight and views.”

Fennie said any new buildings and renovations, such as the new east campus housing and Old University Union projects will pursue LEED certification.