New benches expected to be environmentally friendly, last longer

Slippery Rock University has recently received a grant to replace the benches on campus with newer, more environmentally friendly "green" benches.

According to Jim Henry, SGA vice president of student affairs, he has been working on this project since September. He had originally looked into cheap ways to replace the current benches on campus, but eventually decided that rebuilding the benches altogether would be more sustainable. This also would open up the option of using recycled material due to leaving a smaller environmental footprint, cost, and minimal wear over time.

"The project will consist of taking the old lumber off of the existing benches and fixing the frames they currently sit on," Henry said. "Once the frames are reconstructed with new concrete and paint, we will put the new 90 percent recycled material 'green' lumber on."

According to Henry, this "green lumber" is expected to last 40 plus years, as opposed to regular wood, which can rot and warp after about 20 years.

"This results in a 20-year savings gap because we will not have to purchase more benches over that time," he said.

The grant was made possible by the Green Fund, who has approximately $30,000 set aside for green projects this year, according to Henry.

"Not only are the savings over time cheaper, but the cost for this individual project is cheaper," Henry said.

If regular wood were to be used to build the new benches, the cost would be about $71.50 per bench, compared to the "green material" which will cost about $42.50 per bench, according to Henry.

"This project will gain us one more LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification along with the Robert M. Smith Student Center, and The MacCoskey Center," he said. "This is a large step in making our institution a 'greener' campus."

Henry believes that these new benches will not only be environmentally friendly and more sustainable, but will also have a positive impact on the students on campus.

"I think these [benches] will affect students because they will be more presentable and approachable to sit on compared to the prior benches," he said. "The current wooden benches are somewhat rotted, painted red, crooked, and broken, and do not make our paths look very clean."

"This is one positive step forward in SRU's green initiative and will continue to let students know that SGA is making our campus a better place."

Henry initially estimated the cost of the project to be about $1,700, but the Green Fund has since contributed an additional $2,000 to the project. The benches are expected to be finished in summer 2012.