Renewable Energy / Green Facility

Dubbed "the non-polluting non-profit" by the Milford Daily News, Alternatives sees the use of renewable energy as a way to give back to the community. "A nonprofit has to be accountable and efficient with all of its resources, including the environment," says Executive Director Dennis H. Rice. "We are committed to becoming a responsible steward of the environment."

Alternatives draws the energy for the Whitin Mill from hydropower - the source of energy at the mill for many generations - as well as solar power from photovoltaic cells and power from geothermal heat exchange. This suite of energy sources means that the Whitin Mill is largely self-sufficient.

"This generates 88% of the energy needs on site, and 100% of its heating and cooling," explains Jonathan Austin of Austin Architects. The Cambridge architect incorporated "green design" technology for the building complex in anticipation of meeting the requirements of a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") rating from the US Green Building Council; the complex is LEED Gold eligible to date.

Green initiatives are not just limited to the Whitin Mill Complex, but rather have become standardized throughout the organization. Green efforts include recycling, using energy efficient lighting in programs, and a Green Committee has been formed to continuously promote Green across all of Alternatives geographical areas.