Babson Making Strides In Green Tech
College Using Biodiesel, Solar Compactors
POSTED: 1:19 pm EST January 27,
2009
UPDATED: 5:49 pm EST January 27,
2009
Email
Print
BOSTON -- Higher education is teaching new leaders in green technology, and at Babson College, they are teaching by example.
Babson Making Strides In Green TechNewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that Babson College consistently ranks No. 1 by U.S. News and World Reports for entrepreneurship, but it also leads the way with green initiatives."If we look at what we're using in terms of our resources and how we are using it, there are tremendous improvements that need to be made in order to not have a negative impact on future generations," said Shelley Kaplan, of Babson's facility management team.The school is not only concerned about the negative impact on future generations, but also the bottom line. The snow removal budget can rise as fast as the snow falls, so the school converted the machines to biodiesel engines that use used fry oil from the dining hall kitchen. The switch saves the school thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs.Senior Jamie Kent lives in what's called the Green Tower. It's a dorm of business majors with a low carbon footprint and an aggressive business plan."Operate any business or an organization like a forest where there is really no waste and everything is recycled and used in some way," Kent said.A large trash compactor uses solar energy to crush five trashcans worth of trash into one. The compactor was created by a student in the entrepreneurial MBA program."It's cost effective. It's green. It saves money. It addresses an existing problem that is widespread. So Massachusetts can demonstrate technology and be a leader nationally and globally," said Richard Kennelly of Big Belly Solar.
Babson Making Strides In Green TechNewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that Babson College consistently ranks No. 1 by U.S. News and World Reports for entrepreneurship, but it also leads the way with green initiatives."If we look at what we're using in terms of our resources and how we are using it, there are tremendous improvements that need to be made in order to not have a negative impact on future generations," said Shelley Kaplan, of Babson's facility management team.The school is not only concerned about the negative impact on future generations, but also the bottom line. The snow removal budget can rise as fast as the snow falls, so the school converted the machines to biodiesel engines that use used fry oil from the dining hall kitchen. The switch saves the school thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs.Senior Jamie Kent lives in what's called the Green Tower. It's a dorm of business majors with a low carbon footprint and an aggressive business plan."Operate any business or an organization like a forest where there is really no waste and everything is recycled and used in some way," Kent said.A large trash compactor uses solar energy to crush five trashcans worth of trash into one. The compactor was created by a student in the entrepreneurial MBA program."It's cost effective. It's green. It saves money. It addresses an existing problem that is widespread. So Massachusetts can demonstrate technology and be a leader nationally and globally," said Richard Kennelly of Big Belly Solar. Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
