Because each residence hall is configured differently, as some have kitchens, individually-operated heaters, or common rooms, the total energy usage will vary considerably between buildings. Pietrangelo said Ecopledge is taking this into account when determining contest rankings.
"It's hard to accurately judge who does the best," he said. "Last year, for example, when the contest was on Newton, we compared energy used in November and December to energy used in February and March. Heating usage obviously changed between those months, so it's never 100 percent accurate, but it's close enough." Hardey-Cushing won last year's contest, cutting about $25,000 worth of energy from one time period to the other.
"If students make a concerned effort like turning off appliances when they are not in use, it makes a significant difference," said Pietrangelo.
"We are looking to create pledges that students who are committed to the contest can hang on their doors," said Katherine Walsh, Ecopledge member and A&S '08. "Hopefully people will also get into this contest and see that on an individual level, they can make a difference."
Besides lowering emissions into the environment and conserving energy, Walsh said lowering energy costs for BC could put more money back into student life funds. "We could also put the money saved into more energy conservation and sustainability efforts," she said.
Recyclemania, Ecopledge's other conservation initiative, is a nationwide program that involves 201 colleges. BC participated last year when only 92 schools competed and placed 33rd, with a recycling rate of 17.18 percent. The competition occurs in several areas: overall total recycling, per capita recycling, waste minimization, and per capita paper, bottles and cans, and cardboard.
The contest runs through April, with progress being charted each week. All material recycled by BC is weighed, and results are posted online at www.recyclemania.org.
In the first week of the competition, BC recycled at a rate of 18.87 percent, which converts to 2.55 pounds of recyclable materials per person. Last year's winner, Cal State San Marcos, recycled at a rate of 52.57 percent, or 5.86 pounds per person.
Spring Break
