News, Features, and Events in 2007

Brain and Cognitive Sciences Complex is LEED Silver. The BCSC, which opened in December, 2005, recently received a Silver Rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Solar panels create clean energy
If solving the world’s energy crisis requires joint collaboration, then the photovoltaic project on top of the Alumni Pool Building is a good example to follow. The installation of the solar panels was an effort by Facilities, DAPER, several MIT alums and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which provided about 40% of the cost through a competitive grant.

Recycle Your Books. Have you got books, CDs, videos or DVDs that you don’t want anymore? Don’t just throw them away. Put them in our “Got Books” bins. There are two locations on campus; one outside Building 56 near the bioswale and another in the West Lot off Vassar Street. The items you donate are sold to raise money for local causes.

What are the commuting options? Are you worried about the price of gas? Need someone to share the cost? Then consider joining a carpool. There are many different options, so see which one may be the best for you. Or, perhaps you’d like to try public transportation. MIT offers a subsidy on T passes to its employees.

America Recycles Day. You know your shoe size, but do you know how big your carbon footprint is? On November 15, 2007 Facilities celebrated America Recycles Day with WGR and SAVE at a booth in Lobby 10.

Breakdown your boxes. Flattened cardboard boxes get put in this baler in the Stata Center and then get bound into bales of cardboard. MIT receives cash for every bale it recycles, so do your part and flatten that box before you leave it to be picked up.

PDSI Project celebrated with Green Center for Physics. In October 2007, the Institute celebrated the completion of the Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Spectroscopy Lab and Infrastructure (PDSI) project that included an expansion and renovation of the Green Center for Physics.

Have a recycling question? Then check out our FAQ page. We’ve used our most frequently asked questions to create a list of answers to help you recycle more easily and more often: Help keep our hallways clear. Too often we find abandoned items in hallways and under stairs. Dispose of MIT property properly and safely.

Media Lab and School of Architecture + Planning.
Slated to open in the Summer of 2009, this new building will more than double the space of the current Media Lab, The design features include six floors, 163,000 sq.ft. that will have eight interlocking, double height laboratories; exhibition, performance and gallery spaces, and office and meeting space.