FacebookTwitterLinkedInFlickrYouTube
PrintShareE-Mail This Page

Green Projects

Knox College has embarked on a path toward better environmental stewardship through the following initiatives begun by the Sustainability Task Force and by Knox students.
WaterWater
Eliminating cafeteria trays is just one way we save water -- 9,240 gallons per year, in fact! Food waste was also reduced by 30%.
FoodFood
We're a fan of the local food movement --so much so that we even have our own garden.
  • Golden Beet Award winner
  • Community Garden
  • Fair-Trade Certified coffee
  • Produce from local farmers
  • Bread and coffee from Galesburg businesses
  • Re-usable take-out containers
  • Stainless steel water bottles
EnergyEnergy
Reducing our carbon footprint is top of mind. We've decreased our energy use by 28% since 1999 -- and we won't stop there. Knox has installed:
  • High efficiency heating, cooling, and lighting systems
  • New steam traps
  • Low-E coated windows
  • Temperature control systems
  • Reflective roofs
  • Tankless water heaters
  • Electric-powered utility vehicles
  • Clotheslines and drying racks
  • Electric hand dryers
  • All Wireless Internet access in Residence Halls
  • Server Virtualization
RecyclingRecycling
The student-run KARES organization has taken the lead on campus recycling, making it easy for anyone and everyone to reduce, reuse, and yes...recycle.
  • Receptacles in buildings and throughout campus.
  • Special recycling center in the Mail Room to collect items such as CFLs, batteries, mobile devices, etc.
  • Move-In and Move-Out Recycling initiatives to capture tons of cardboard, personal items, and much more
  • Four benches, two small trash bins, and 18 receptacles made of recycled milk jugs
  • "Green books" made of recycled paper
  • Bike trailer to collect recycling (made by Knox student Jules Trachsel)
  • Separating washable and unsoiled plastic, paper, and metals in food production operations
  • Yearly electronic-waste recycling program
CompostComposting
Knox has launched a new program to convert food waste into compost. Each year, the program will transform about 60,000 pounds of waste.
  • Compost bin can handle a maximum of 80 lbs. of waste per day
  • Inhabited by red wiggler worms
  • Compost is bagged and given to campus, Community Garden, faculty, and staff
  • Eco House composts their waste
  • Knox Community Garden and Knox Farm have compost systems
PaperTechnology & Paper
Greatly reducing our paper consumption is just one perk of our campus technology.
  • Green books
  • Fees for printing
  • Recycled paper
  • Double-sided printing
  • Key publications available in electronic form
  • Eco-friendly printers
  • One-sided prints re-fed through printers
  • Electronic official transcripts
  • Recycling of old computer equipment and electronics
  • Wikis and blogs for collaboration
  • Server virtualization
WasteWaste Reduction
In addition to composting and recycling, Knox is investigating ways to reduce waste in all areas of campus.
  • Reusable take-out containers
  • Stainless steel water bottles
  • Biodegradable dining wear
  • Investigating bottled water ban
  • Student-run Free Store "reuse shop" to keep hundreds of items out of the landfill each year
EnvironmentEnvironment
Sustainable living embodies a thoughtful approach to leading fulfilling, productive, and environmentally responsible lives.
  • Low-VOC paint
  • Prairie plots with native plants and grasses
  • Green cleaning solutions in the Eco House
  • Mulching
  • Walking and biking programs
Green FeeStudent Sustainability Fund
The Student Sustainability Fund helps students embrace sustainability by implementing their own initiatives. Funds have been allocated to:
  • Creation of an Office of Sustainability and hiring a full-time Sustainability Coordinator
  • Biodegradable dining wear for I-Fair and printing of the I-mag on recycled paper with soy ink
  • Stainless steel water bottles for students, faculty & staff
  • Dual flush toilets, faucet aerators, and low-flow shower heads
  • Drying racks
EducationEducation
Knox educates for a sustainable future by inspiring educators and engaging students through meaningful content and learner-centered instruction.
  • Environmental Studies major and minor, dozens of sustainability-related classes throughout College
  • Galesburg light bulb switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL)
  • EquiKnox picnic
  • Lecturers and speakers on sustainable living
  • Adding sustainability themes to curriculum

Apply to KnoxGive to Knoxundefined
KnoxShop Online Store
Colleges that Change Lives
Independent Research
Off campus study programs
 
Kelly VlaskampI Am KnoxI would like to study cultural anthropology with a focus on indigenous groups, so I was lucky to work in Paraguay because they have strong indigenous Guarani roots. I am Kelly, Senior, and...
I AM KNOXI am Knox
Meet More Knox People