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Bag it, don’t toss it. Hamilton’s annual clear bag reuse and recycle program known as Cram & Scram is back. Its purpose is to reduce the college’s burden on the local landfill by putting aside items that the student body can use next year.

Hamilton students will have a taste of green eating this week as Bon Appétit Management Company celebrates Earth Day on April 22 by holding the third annual Low Carbon Diet Day. The first restaurant company to recognize the connection between food production and climate change, Bon Appétit will make significant menu changes on Thursday to try to teach the Hamilton community the ins and outs of sustainable eating.

Hamilton was recently mentioned in a Washington Post blog post titled, “Green Graduation Gowns." The post, which is part of the “Campus Overload” blog maintained by Washington Post reporter Jenna Johnson, is about a green initiative by Harper College, which will dress its graduates on commencement day in biodegradable gowns.

Hamilton took another step toward environmental sustainability last week, as the College (in conjunction with the Hamilton Environmental Group and food service provider Bon Appétit) implemented a new, campus-wide reusable mug system. Hamilton Environmental Group (HEAG) posters around campus read, “Red is the New Green.” What they refer to are the stacks of brand new red plastic mugs that have replaced the disposable paper cups in Commons and McEwen.

Students and Hamilton community members across campus geared up on January 17 to increase efforts to protect the planet, as RecycleMania 2010 kicked off for colleges and universities around the globe.

Eight students from the Recycling Task Force and the Cram & Scram crews collected reused items and food during exam week in the mini-scram campaign. About 90 pounds of food, clothing, bedding, shoes and coats, small appliances and furniture were donated. The food will be added to that being collected at the Physical Plant for the Clark's Mills Food Pantry. The appliances and furniture are headed to the Utica Salvation Army, along with the reuse sneakers from the Fitness Center and the Athletic department.

The Hamilton community’s sensitivity to its impact on the environment is reflected in several awards recently granted to the College by two national organizations. The College has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), for the renovated 40-year-old Kirner-Johnson (KJ) Building.

A multi-part event, “Soul Purpose” will aim to connect the multifaceted issues of today’s world and move participants to a state of greater understanding, compassion and empowerment, on Friday, Nov. 6, in the Annex.

During the month of October Hamilton's 30 residence halls competed in “Do it in the Dark,” a Dorm Energy Battle aimed at reducing energy consumption. Residents of Saunders, Wertimer, and 3994 Campus Road achieved the most significant changes, lowering expected kilowatt-hour use by 29.91 percent, 28.42 percent and 23.22 percent, respectively.

Max Wall ’10 is featured in a New York Times Education Life article titled “Simpler Substances” (11/1/09). Wall founded the Loose Association of Friends for the Better Appreciation of Fermentation, (Lafbaf), this fall at Hamilton. The photos included in the piece were taken by Kristen Morgan-Davie ’12.