Dallas Seminary…green(er)

this week I attended an all-day function for a different organization where refreshments dotted the day. many enjoyed bottled water. as the day progressed, however, I become increasingly disturbed that scads of bottles died a slowly decomposing death in the trash bins. no recycling available.

enter Dallas Theological Seminary. to my great elation, our campus instituted a significant recycling program, one that has been in motion for many years:

1. as early as 1979, we recycled and began a phase-out of all CFCs
2. in the mid-90s, we installed auto-HVAC controls, reducing energy consumption by 25%
3. our married student housing, completed in 2002, was built on “green” industry standards
4. this year, we contracted through 2010 to purchase electricity that includes a portfolio of 40% renewable energies (such as wind, hydro, solar) at below-market rate compared with non-renewable energies
5. for our new single student apartments, we partnered with a contractor committed to LEED® certification, and we await (expect) LEED certification of this building

as a dear, brilliant friend of mine posted, “Create in me a green heart, O God.”