Environmental Sustainability
In 2009 Bates was one of 15 colleges in the United States named to the "Green Honor Roll" by Princeton Review. The United States Environmental Protection Agency honored Bates as a member of the Green Power Leadership Club because 96% of the energy used on campus is from renewable resources.
The New Dining Commons, opened in February 2008, has passive lighting and occupancy sensors to control room lighting, "dual-flush" toilets, recycled and certified-green building materials used in construction, and summer ventilation that is primarily natural — air is cooled mechanically only in the hottest parts of the kitchen.
In 2005 Bates committed itself to purchasing its entire electricity supply from renewable energy sources in Maine, specifically biomass generating plants and small hydroelectric producers.
In February 2007, Bates President Elaine Tuttle Hansen signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. She is one of 62 chief executives in the coalition's Leadership Circle, which provides guidance, peer encouragement and direction to the effort.
Zipcar car-sharing service became available on campus to faculty, staff and students in 2007.
Bates's Dining Services department states that 28% of its purchases are locally grown or all-natural. Dining Services sends both pre- and post-consumer food waste to local farmers to be composted, and it operates a community outreach program that allows extra food portions to be served at local shelters.
Bates earned a "B" grade on the 2009 College Sustainability Report Card; the school earned "A"s in the Administration, Climate Change & Energy, Student Involvement, Food & Recycling, and Green Building categories.
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