behavior

COVID-19 and Sustainability

UPDATED 5/13/21 For the past year plus, staff and faculty across the college have been working on the innumerable pivots necessary to ensure that the college could still operate.  The Zilkha Center has been working with our colleagues to support sustainable operations and has also been… Continue reading »

Sustainability requirements: An Eco Advisor project

As part of her Eco Advisor project, Bless Reece ’22 put together a research paper evaluating the benefits and disadvantages of implementing a campus-wide sustainability requirement for students. “Williams College prides itself on providing the “finest” liberal arts education possible. Yet, the college has yet to place sustainability at… Continue reading »

Calling All Dishes – “Bring It Back” is Back!

Dining Services is doing an end-of-semester call for dishes that haven’t yet made it back to the dining halls.  In addition to the normal dish return bins located around campus, you will now see extra receptacles in various buildings. Please put any dishes that you find stashed away in a… Continue reading »

End of Semester (Sustainable) To-Do List

The end of the semester is a stressful time for everyone, but as you finish your exams and prepare to leave campus, make environmentally-conscious choices with this handy to-do list!  Sustainable choices are often easier on you in the long run, but most importantly, your community and your planet will… Continue reading »

Sustainable Winter Shutdown Tips for Staff and Faculty

As you prepare to leave for break, take a couple of minutes to reduce your impact with a few simple steps: Unplug devices and appliances in your office  Even if they’re turned off, your electronics still use energy while plugged in. Make sure to unplug your computer, printer, copier, lamps,… Continue reading »

Tips for a Sustainable Homecoming

Happy Homecoming, Ephs! With Homecoming on its way, the Williams community is preparing for a weekend of celebration, school spirit and reunions with friends and family alike. While enjoying the events, remember to be sustainable with these tips:  Recycle SOLO cups – Williams looks so… Continue reading »

Sustainable Move-In Checklist

Move-in Day is just around the corner: You may have seen our End of Semester To-Do list, and wished you had a similar guide for the beginning of the year. Whether you’re gearing up for first days or moving in for the last… Continue reading »

Sustainable Dorm Tips for This School Year

*Click to enlarge* Vampire energy graphic from energysmartshow.com Live Sustainably! Follow these simple tips to reduce consumption and energy use from the comfort of your dorm room. Developing sustainable living habits now will benefit you and the planet for years to come. Things to Buy: Stop… Continue reading »

Meatless Mondays Continue to Draw Crowds

About three times a day, we make choices about not only what we want to make part of our bodies but also the kind of impact we want to have on the environment. For our planet, the difference between the Standard American Diet and a vegetarian diet is… Continue reading »

Power Strips: Energy Saving Made Easy

Smart power strip infographic from green.harvard.edu Did you know that your electronics and appliances always use energy when plugged in, even when not in use? During their freshman year, Eco-Advisors Amina Awad ‘18 and Flor Marmolejo ‘18 began to explore how to increase sustainable behavior on campus. “We were thinking about ways that… Continue reading »

A Critical Look at Sustainability

by Suiyi Tang ’19, Zilkha Summer Intern 2016         It’s easy to fall into abstraction when thinking about sustainability. The term certainly lends itself to an air of distance, having been cloaked in the (faux) furs of the holier-than-thou who claim to be… Continue reading »

Hiring “Give It Up!” Student Employees

The Center for Learning in Action and the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives are seeking student employees for the “Give It Up!” end-of-the-year collection and donation campaign. “Give It Up!” is an end-of-year initiative that enables students to donate unwanted items to local charities and non-profits –… Continue reading »