A reminder - Sustainability Activities This Week (Nov 9-13)

A quick reminder about the upcoming presentation by Holt Kelley, local expert on solar energy and photovoltaic cells. His company is the one who has installed the solar panels as part of the LEED certification for our new Science and ESEC buildings. He will talk about the technology, the impact it is having on our current energy production, and how we can take advantage of solar energy in our own homes.

The presentation will be on Thursday, November 12 at 2 PM in MAC 235.

Refreshments will be provided afterwards by Phi Theta Kappa.

Some other activities dealing with Sustainability ongoing this week in conjunction with Phi Theta Kappa:

• "What is Recyclable" workshop - facilitated by Elaine Alexander, Geology and Environmental Science professor - learn about 5% contamination and how to reduce it, as well as recycling efforts on campus - Tues., Nov. 10, 1 pm, outside LTC
  
• Adopt-A-Street Clean-up - students and facility will clean Highlander Dr. and other areas of campus - Tues., Nov. 10, 2:15 pm, meet in LTC

Solar Energy and You - Presentation on November 12 at 2 PM

Come join us for a presentation by Holt Kelley, local expert on solar energy and photovoltaic cells. His company is the one who has installed the solar panels as part of the LEED certification for our new Science and ESEC buildings. He will talk about the technology, the impact it is having on our current energy production, and how we can take advantage of solar energy in our own homes.

The presentation will be on Thursday, November 12 at 2 PM in MAC 235.

Refreshments will be provided afterwards by Phi Theta Kappa.

Come and learn about the future of solar energy.

Sustainability Committee and Phi Theta Kappa

MCC Sustainability Note for October

MCC Sustainability Efforts This Month - October Update

I. Did you know? MCC and Baylor are working on a joint project termed Ag Gas out at Highlander Ranch which extracts clean methane gas from chicken manure. The remains make good compost without the bad smell. The hope is to someday have one of these units at every major chicken house or dairy and turn manure into useable fuel and compost.

II. Recycling on Campus:

a. Recycle Bins: Many of you have reported the overloaded recycle bin and the littering around the LTC building. We’re moving the large yellow recycle bin from Highlands to the rear of the LTC to accommodate the vast amount of recycling material collected in this area of campus. Adding an extra bin should take care of this problem.

b. Printer Cartridge Recycling: Student Activities collects the ink and toner cartridges to take to the Humane Society. As for Laser printer cartridge, vendors like Office Depot offer a “rebate” credit towards the purchase of another like unit.

c. Student Recycling Awareness Forum, October 26: Phi Theta Kappa is teaming with the Sustainability Committee to teach students recycling tips. This informative session will be at 2:30 PM in the central campus mall area and will address commonly asked questions about recycling and how to recycle specific goods properly. It will be a come and go event held outside so students, faculty and staff can just stop by for a brief synopsis of proper recycling.

III. “Ask Elaine” - Answers to Your Recycling Questions:
The new compact fluorescent light bulbs require special handling, as they contain lead. You can dispose of them at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Any working standard light bulbs replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs can be donated to Habitat for Humanity. Recycle batteries at Batteries Plus or Best Buy or dispose of them during Waco’s Household Hazardous Waste Day.

IV. What are your thoughts on our sustainability efforts? See what MCC is doing for sustainability and/or let us know on how to make the campus more environmentally friendly. Check out our website at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen/ and our blog at http://mccgogreen.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for your support. It takes the entire College to make sustainability work!
The MCC Sustainability Committee

MCC Sustainability Efforts This Month (Updates for Fall 2009)

I. Did you know? MCC received a rebate check from ONCOR for $116,000 for installing photovoltaic solar panels on our new Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC) and Science buildings. Surplus energy generated from these panels will be sold back into the energy grid, saving ONCOR extra generation capacity and allowing the College to purchase equipment and supplies for the new buildings that would not have been available otherwise–a true WIN/WIN solution.

II. Recycling Centers on Campus: MCC has single-stream recycling, which means all approved recyclables (see attached flyer) go in the same bins. Faculty and staff have recycle containers in their offices. This fall the Physical Plant has placed new blue recycle bins in all buildings in the commons areas for students to use. The MAC recycle center is on the main floor under the grand stairwell, near the coffee bar. The Science Building recycle center is on the first floor near the bathrooms. The ESEC recycle center is in the vending and snack area on the first floor. The LTC food court area also has three recycling containers. Additionally, there are large yellow recycle dumpsters in four locations across campus: the CSC building near the Childcare Center, the loading dock behind the LTC, the Bookstore’s loading dock at the MAC, and the dumpster area near the Highland Gym.

III. Food Services: Starting this fall, SODEXO, our food service provider, has moved to corn-based biodegradable plates, cups and silverware. SODEXO is also considering reusable beverage mugs. Stay tuned for more details.

IV. What are your thoughts on our sustainability efforts? Check out what MCC is doing for sustainability and/or let us know your ideas on how to make the campus more environmentally friendly. Check out our website at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen and our blog at http://mccgogreen.blogspot.com.

Thanks for your support. It takes the entire college to make sustainability work!

The MCC Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Tip of the Week - Preparing for Moves and Summer

MCC Sustainability Efforts This Month
End of Semester Recycle “Special”

As the semester ends, many of you are contemplating what to do with all your old tests, confidential or sensitive papers, student projects, books, etc. you no longer need. Many of you are packing to your new or temporary office. Please consider one of the following in cleaning out your old office:

For documents you do not want to just throw away
We are having a Second Shred Day Scheduled for Thursday, May 7. We will be positioning secure bins in locations across campus to collect student papers or other materials needing to be shredded. Shred Day will run from 9 am to 1 pm. We’ll give more details on the location of the bins next Monday. For now, please start collecting your materials.

For other paperwork
Please use the recycle bins provided in each building. We are still in the Recyclemania competition and all recycled products count towards our total number. So far this semester, we have collected close to 11 tons of recycled wastes, 2 tons of office paper, and 120 pounds of cardboard from across campus.

To dispose of books
Please consider using the green and white boxes labeled Better World Books (BWB) located in buildings around campus. Phi Theta Kappa and the Baptist Student Ministry association are still collecting books for BWB, who will distribute the books to needy students worldwide. To date, both organizations have collected over 35 boxes of books, 27 which are now on their way to BWB and beyond, three which were donated to the Hewitt Public Library, and five that were recycled.

Thanks for your support. It takes the entire college to make sustainability work!

MCC’s Sustainability Committee.

Sustainability Note of the Week - Opportunities Ahead

Thanks to all who participated in Tire Amnesty Day
Elaine Alexander counted 67 MCC students, faculty and staff members who came out last Saturday in the cold to collect used tires. The initiative collected 1769 tires, far less than in the past, but the smaller total may signal that the number of tires needing recycling is dropping.

Lake Waco Clean-Up this Weekend
Keep Waco Beautiful, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Waco are sponsoring the annual Lake Waco Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 4th, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., as part of the Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Clean-Up and the Texas Trash-Off. Volunteers are invited to check in at the pavilion at Twin Bridges Park at 8:30 am. Trash bags and trash tongs will be provided. Volunteers should bring gloves and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

A hotdog lunch will be served at the pavilion following the cleanup.

MORE INFORMATION: Keep Waco Beautiful, (254) 750-5728, or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 756-5359

Did you know?
Our three new buildings on campus are equipped with a number of innovations that will cut water consumption by 20 to 45%. Among the innovations are the new double-flush toilets and water-miser faucets available in all three buildings, and the rainwater recovery system at the Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC). The double-flush toilets have two settings: flush up for liquid waste and flush down for solid waste. The instructions are on the wall, and the toilet handles are green to remind users of the options. The water-miser faucets work only on demand. Both will use far less water than our current fixtures, and the rainwater recovery system at the ESEC will add additional savings by using the collected water for toilets and landscaping.

Getting involved
Please see the new MCC Sustainability website at www.mclennan.edu/gogreen. We welcome your input and help in making MCC a greener campus.

MCC’s Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Tip of the Week - Tire Amnesty Day this Weekend

Tire Amnesty Day occurs this Saturday, March 28 from 8:00 am – noon at the Paul Tyson Football Field on Lake Air drive. Residents of McLennan County (with proof of residency) may bring up to 8 tires for free disposal. Tires must be off rims and less than 34” in diameter. More than 8 tires, tires with rims, or tires between 35 and 50 inches can also be disposed of, but there is a fee. No tires over 50” or Over the Road (OTR) loader/grader tires will be accepted

Volunteers of all ages are welcome but all have to fill out a release form at the site. They will help address the cars, get information (toughest job), and unload the tires (dirtiest job). It is recommended volunteers wear long pants and bring gloves. If you are interested in volunteering or have students who are interested, please contact the following person:

Contact person: Parker Wilson, Executive Director
Keep McLennan County Beautiful
254-722-2832
A Keep Texas Beautiful & Keep America Beautiful Affiliate
kmcb@grandecom.net
www.keepmclennancountybeautiful.org

Did you know…?
As part of the LEED platinum certification for MCC’s new Emergency Services Education Center will be a photovoltaic solar panel array that will produce 47 Kilowatts of electricity. This electricity will provide 12.5% of the electrical requirement for the facility. During weekends and holidays when the building is not in use, the energy produced by the solar array will be sold back to the commercial power grid basically reversing the charge on our power bill and saving the college money.

Want to know more about our Sustainability efforts?
To learn more about the LEED Certification process as well as other MCC Sustainability efforts, check out the links and information at the MCC Sustainability website at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen.

MCC’s Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Update for the Week - Book Recycle Drive a Success!

MCC Sustainability Efforts
Recyclemania Continues Across Campus

Thanks for your overwhelming support for the MCC Book Recycling Day!
The book recycle drive this week was extremely successful, with Baptist Student Ministry and Phi Theta Kappa students and advisors picking up over 25 boxes of books to send to Better World Books (BWB) who will then send them to needy students across the United States and the world. Additionally, the book collection team recycled 6 boxes of books that will count towards our Recyclemania numbers and donated three boxes of novels and paperback books to the Hewitt Public Library. Again, thanks for your support of this effort in cleaning out the campus through a sustainable effort that will benefit many in our community and beyond.

You can continue to donate your surplus and/or unused books by placing them in the collection boxes marked “Better World Books,” located in most buildings on campus. BSM and PTK check on these boxes periodically. If you need a box in your building, please contact Claudette Jackson, our Student Activities Coordinator, at 8443.

Reminder
EcoTour of the new Michaelis Academic Building (MAC) and the Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC) on March 24:
There is still room for anyone interested in joining Sid Ross as he leads a tour of the two new buildings on campus on March 24 from 2 to 4 PM. Unlike previous tours, Sid will focus on the sustainability aspects of the buildings that have led to our high LEED certifications. These include:

At the MAC building: dual-flush toilets, motion sensors, CO2 monitors, clearstory glass, sun blockers at windows, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-free building materials, etc.

At the Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC): concrete paving, full cutout light parking lot lights, geothermal HVAC system, photovoltaic panel arrays, reflective roofing, rainwater capture system, and xeriscape landscaping.

Come and see what makes these buildings unique and how MCC is working to be a model for sustainability in Waco and McLennan County. Please RSVP to either Fred Hills (fhills), Theresa Sparks (tsparks) or Bill Matta (wmatta) by March 21 so we can arrange transportation.

Getting involved
Please see new MCC Sustainability web site at www.mclennan.edu/gogreen. We welcome your input and help in making MCC a greener campus.

MCC’s Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Reminder - Book Collection

Recyclemania Reminder

Book Recycling Day – March 17
We will be start collecting the books dropped off in the green and white boxes labeled Better World Books (BWB) located in various buildings around campus at 9:30 AM today and taking them to the physical plant for processing. Now’s the time to make that last drop off. If you miss the pick up in your building, you can bring the books by the physical plant through noon today.

Thanks for your support.

Sustainability Reminder - Recyclemania Continues with Book Collection Today and Tomorrow

Book Recycling Day – March 16 and 17
We will be collecting unused books today, March 16th in the green and white boxes labeled Better World Books (BWB) located in various buildings around campus. On March 17th, books can be dropped off at the physical plant if you do not have an opportunity to put the books in a BWB box. Textbooks and reference books will be sent to BWBs as part of a joint initiative by Phi Theta Kappa and the Baptist Student Ministries. Remaining books will be recycled as part of our Recyclemania initiative.

Collection boxes are currently located on the first floor of the FOB, Applied Science building (1st and 2nd floor), second floor of the HPE and the Student Center (1st and 2nd floor). Additional boxes will be placed in other buildings this week.

Come join us in this initiative by dropping off surplus and/or unused books in the bins in your building.

Sustainability Tip of the Week - Recyclemania Continues with Book Collection and Eco Tours

MCC Sustainability Efforts This Month Recyclemania

MCC Recycle-Shred Day a Big Success!
We collected over 2 tons of paper yesterday on our first ever Recycle Shred Day. Not only did we clear out old papers and files across campus. Great job and thanks to all who participated.

Book Recycling Day – March 17
Continuing with our Recyclemania theme, MCC will be collecting unused books between now and March 16th. You can drop off surplus and unused books in green and white boxes labeled Better World Books (BWB) located in various buildings around campus. On March 17th, books can be dropped off at the physical plant if you do not have an opportunity to put the books in a BWB box. Textbooks and reference books will be sent to BWBs as part of a joint initiative by Phi Theta Kappa and the Baptist Student Ministries. Remaining books will be recycled as part of our Recyclemania initiative.

Collection boxes are currently located on the first floor of the FOB, Applied Science building (1st and 2nd floor), second floor of the HPE and the Student Center (1st and 2nd floor). Additional boxes will be placed in other buildings this week.

Come join us in this initiative by dropping off surplus and/or unused books in the bins in your building.

EcoTour of the new Michaelis Academic Building (MAC) and the Science Building (ESEC) on March 24
Sid Ross will be leading a tour of the two new buildings on campus on March 24 from 2 to 4 PM. Unlike previous tours, though, Sid will focus on the sustainability aspects of the buildings that have led to our high LEEDs certifications. These include:

At the MAC building: Dual flush toilets, motion sensors, CO2 monitors, clearstory glass, sun blockers at windows, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) free building materials, etc.

At the Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC): concrete paving, full cutout light parking lot lights, geothermal HVAC system, photovoltaic panel Array, reflective roofing and can tell them about rainwater capture system, and xeriscape landscaping.

Come and see what makes these buildings unique and how MCC is working to be a model for sustainability in Waco and McLennan County. Please RSVP to either Fred Hills (fhills), Theresa Sparks (tsparks) or Bill Matta (wmatta) by March 21 so we can arrange transportation.

Getting involved
Please see new MCC Sustainability web site at www.mclennan.edu/gogreen. We welcome your input and help in making MCC a “greener” campus.

MCC’s Sustainability Committee.

Sustainability Tip of the Week - Campus Recycle-Shred Day, Tuesday, March 3

MCC Recycle-Shred Day
Do you have a bunch of old tests and/or files you have been wanting to get rid of but do not want to put them in the trash due to their sensitivity? How about that desk or cabinet with old papers, books and files you can’t figure out what to do with? MCC’s Recycle-Shred Day is just the answer to your needs. MCC is participating for the first time in RecycleMania. Our goal is to collect a high volume of recyclables from our campus in order to extend the life of the Waco landfill. As part of MCC’s Sustainability Program, we are offering a “Recycle-Shred Day” on Tuesday, March 3rd for faculty and staff.

For this event, Certi-Shred will come to scheduled locations (attached) and you are encouraged to bring any paper items from your office or classroom that need to be shredded to protect student confidentiality, etc. Paper items may include old exams, old grade books, old graded papers, etc. Please utilize your black tote for non-sensitive paper recycling material. MCC will have a separate collection event for textbooks in March.

Located throughout campus you may have noticed our black bins and yellow dumpsters, these are conveniently placed about for your “single-stream” recyclables.

Single Stream Recycling Tip:
If an item you are recycling could contaminate an entire black tote or dumpster load, please consider rinsing these items. Contaminated items could result in an entire dumpster load of recyclables going to a landfill and prevent those materials from being recycled.

Getting involved
We refer you to the new MCC Sustainability web site at www.mclennan.edu/gogreen. We welcome all of your input and help in making MCC a “greener” campus.

MCC’s Sustainability Committee.

"Green" Brown Bag Luncheons and Recycling Glass - Sustainability Tip of the Week

A Note on Sustainability Efforts on MCC

Join us at the first of our “Green” Brown Bag Luncheons as we explore ideas on how best to incorporate sustainability into our campus culture. The first of these luncheons will be next Wednesday, February 18 from 12 to 1 PM in LTC 212. Bring your lunch and join us as we discuss various ideas on incorporating sustainability into curricular and extracurricular activities across campus.

Why isn’t MCC recycling GLASS?
Since the campus is doing “single-stream recycling” (collecting all materials into one bin), glass cannot be included. Our recycling vendor must avoid the potential for broken pieces injuring their hand-sorters. HOWEVER, you can recycle clear, green and brown glass at the City of Waco’s Convenience Center on 44th Street, between Cobbs Dr. and Trice Ave. (Hours: Tues-Sat 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Sun and Mon, no proof of residency required)
AND—When the new buildings are open, they will have areas for collecting recyclable glass.

Getting involved
We refer you to the new MCC Sustainability web site at www.mclennan.edu/gogreen. We will also are close to fielding an MCC Sustainability blog and an email alias for all us of to share and discuss sustainability and ideas on how to implement it across campus. We welcome all of your input and help in making MCC a “greener” campus.

MCC’s Sustainability Committee.

RecycleMania hits MCC - Sustainability Tip of the Week

RecycleMania is underway at McLennan Community College!

MCC is participating in RecycleMania from January 18 – March 28, 2009.

What is RecycleMania? RecyleMania is a friendly national competition and benchmarking effort among over 500 college and university to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. MCC is participating this year for the first time in the benchmarking, a less stringent competition, to help us prepare for later full competition. Some of you might remember that Baylor University was noted in the Waco Tribune Herald recently for their efforts in the 2008 RecyleMania competition. We believe MCC can best that and serve as a role model for the community in all areas of sustainability.

How can you get involved? During this Spring’s competition, our college will measure how much we can recycle in comparison with other colleges and to our amount of trash (non-recyclables). All of us play a role in this competition so we ask that you begin recycling in your office using the desk-side blue bins provided by the college. If you already have one, start putting in more than just paper. If you don’t have one, have your administrative secretary contact the Physical Plant at 299-8843 to request bins for your area. Empty your blue bins into the closest large black bin in your building.

What can you recycle? MCC Students can start recycling all major recyclables including paper, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard in the common area recycling containers. These containers will be located in hallways and other common areas and will be clearly labeled. MCC is not accepting glass at this time. The yellow dumpsters located across campus are designated as recycling dumpsters. Students can also put their recyclables in those containers. MCC will be ordering additional containers over the next three years to provide campus wide recycling for common areas. The following flier lists all acceptable materials: http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen/Recycleable.pdf.

How else can you get involved? Stay tuned for notices answering other questions you may have about recycling on campus, including the question of glass, student/common area recycling, and the location of additional black bins. We refer you to the new MCC Sustainability web site at www.mclennan.edu/gogreen. We will also in the process of creating a blog and an email alias for all us of to share and discuss sustainability and ideas on how to implement it across campus. We welcome all of your input and help in making MCC a “greener” campus.

MCC Sustainability Committee.

Recycling Expansion at MCC

Recycling will be expanded at MCC this month to include plastics and metals. Most of the campus has been recycling paper for a number of years. You can view a list of acceptable recyclables at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen/Recycleable.pdf.

Last semester, the new Recycling Polity was added to the Policy Manual. You can view the PDF online at http://www.mclennan.edu/publications/policies/C-I-B.pdf.

What do you need to do?

1. If you already have a blue desk side recycle bin, you can begin to put plastics and cans in with your paper. If you want to put a logo on your bin, please contact the Physical Plant at 299-8843 to request your “Life is Green at MCC” sticker.
   
2. If you do not already have a blue desk side recycle bin, the Physical Plant will coordinate with your department to deliver the bins to your building. Have one person, likely your administrative secretary, contact the Physical Plant to tell them how many desk side containers you need delivered to your office. You do not need a new one if you already have a container, but you can request a sticker to add to one side.
   
3. Put your paper, plastic and metal products (see flier for allowable items) into your blue desk side bin. Plastic bottles and aluminum cans are NOT required to be rinsed before recycling but should be empty. Other food items should be rinsed when needed.
   
4. When it is full, empty your blue desk side bin into the large black (or blue) rolling recycling bin that is located on your floor or ground level of your building. You may also want to work within your department if a single employee or group of work studies had previously been emptying your blue desk side bins full of paper.

Additional information

• The physical plant will empty the black (or blue) rolling bins on a weekly basis into the new yellow recycling dumpsters that have been placed on campus. Help us out by calling 299-8843 if the black rolling bin is overflowing prior to its pickup.
  
• Fliers will be posted by the black (or blue) rolling bins located in each building including the list of recyclable items, the Physical Plant phone number, and any other pertinent information.
  

What you do will make a difference and will be counted!

• Between January 18 and March 28, MCC will be participating in RecycleMania! We will report the amount of material we recycle in a nationwide college and university competition. This is especially significant, since there are more 4-year institutions participating than community colleges across the nation. Way to go, MCC!
  
• In the 2008 RecycleMania campaign, the 58.6 million pounds of material recycled during RecycleMania 2008 prevented greenhouse gas emissions of 25,342 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) from entering the atmosphere. (“RecycleMania Climate Impacts” at http://www.recyclemaniacs.org/index-pop2008.htm).

If you have any questions about recycling on campus,
please contact the Physical Plant at 299-8843.