The Refinishing Touch Blog

Who Will LEED the 2009 College Resolution?

With 2009 upon us and our New Years Resolution to 'Go Green,' it is important to reflect on noteworthy green efforts of 2008. This past year was the first year that The Princeton Review included the 'green rating' as a category. This rating was generated to rank America's greenest campuses.

Kicking off the New Year with this crucial resolution in addition to The Princeton Review's hyped new category, we can't help but wonder who will be the greenest University of 2009! 2008 saw many colleges making strides in the right direction, but with competition at hand, efforts will undoubtedly amplify.

A recent article entitled 'The greenest college of them all' documented especially impressive green efforts made by universities. Massachusetts Maritime was particularly significant for 2008's green movement.

Maritime built one of the region's first wind turbines back in 2006 which now accounts for about 20 percent of the campus' electrical needs. Recently a LEED- gold certified dorm complex was completed. This was the first state owned dorm to get such a high distinction. The dorm along with its northern campus utilizes solar panels. Microturbines are also used by the University to provide a continuous source of electricity.

But that's not all! Maritime is now actively planning for future green plans. Partnering with a company that makes wind turbines which oscillate vertically in addition to turbines being placed on top of dorms is discussed as part of their future plans.

Here's to hoping that 2009 will see others following Maritime's 'LEED' to become the new year's greenest University.

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posted by TRT Blog on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:02 AM 0 Comments

Colleges and Universities Seek Not only to be the 'Best' but also the 'Greenest'




We were digging through some past articles about 'Going Green,' when we stumbled upon one that really caught our attention in The New York Times back in July, called "Green, Greener, Greenest." The article focused on how colleges and universities can't resist be noted for a 'best' ranking. We believe going green on college campuses creates an opportunity to both the students and administration of the school.

This year was the first year The Princton Review included a new category; the "green rating" in its annual guide for colleges. The ranking was generated by points gained from such things as renewable power sources, energy-efficient buildings, and "environmentally preferable food." It was noted that now some schools have even begun creating sustainability-related degrees.

An interesting statistic that came from a Princeton Review survey of 10,300 college applicants said that 63 percent of applicants' decisions could be influenced by a college's commitment to the environment.

Some colleges with the top ratings were Arizona State, Bates, Binghamton University, the College if the Atlantic, Harvard, Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Yale and the Universities of New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington.

Now with this 'Going Green' campaign growing enormously day-by-day, colleges will be striving to be the 'top green campus.' We at the Refinishing Touch have helped many colleges in their effort to go green by refinishing existing pieces of dorm furniture which is turn saves the environment and cuts costs at the college. We plan to help many more colleges and universities in the future and will help them achieve the ranking of 'Greenest' college which they desire.

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posted by TRT Blog on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 12:21 PM 0 Comments

Colleges Go Green for the Class of 2012

Green Dorms
Labor Day weekend has become known as one of the biggest "move-in" weekends of the year and this year was no exception. Only, something was different at this year's move-in.

The Class of 2012 may or may not notice that colleges have taken strides to improve the livability and aesthetic feel of campus housing. University Business, held a 'Dorms of Distinction' competition to rank the nation's newest collegiate housing concepts. UB received 76 nominations for its contest that revealed improvement and reconstruction trends in three main areas: Student Input, Home-Like Atmosphere, and Community-Oriented Spaces

From natural toned walls in hues alien to "eggshell," community areas with fireplaces and flat screen TVs, to technologically-sound programs connecting students with the status of washers and dryers in the laundry room, parents and college graduate siblings have all been left- mouths agape- wondering "why couldn't this have been done when I was in college?"

The efforts we're seeing don't stop there. Along with the design factor, improvements are eco-friendly. One university reportedly invested $30 million and two years' time to unveil its new housing facilities this year, showing the investment and commitment to the future of our environment.

The Refinishing Touch's initiative shares common ground with the vision of these universities. As we work to improve the properties we work with, our mission is two-fold: to breathe new life into pieces that might been have been considered disposable and to do so in an eco-friendly, sustainable way. We're working here to save green- to put vitality back into reconstruction programs and to keep as much green in your pockets and green in our environment as possible.

We are beginning to see a cross-generational approach to the reach of environmental awareness now- and again, The Refinishing Touch is thrilled to see our vision shared. Here's to the Class of 2012 and all that they will learn.

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posted by TRT Blog on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 12:28 PM 0 Comments