MCC Sustainability Efforts for December 2013

I.    Did You Know?  The USGBC has certified the ESEC building LEED gold, our third building to receive such recognition.  The ESEC building has several unique features that aided in getting the gold certification to include a geothermal HVAC system, 206 panel photovoltaic array, rainwater harvest collected in a 30,000 gallon cistern and used to flush toilets, concrete parking lot paving to reduce heat island effect on the environment, and full cut out parking lot lights to reduce night sky pollution.  In addition, 30 percent of the energy used at the facility is renewable.  The building narrowly missed platinum certification.  The college is also submitting the Student Services Center and the Health Professions Simulation buildings for consideration for LEED certification at a minimum of silver with a chance at gold.

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall: 
1.    MCC’s Biannual Shred and Recycle Day on November 15th a Success!  We shredded or recycled 7,391 lbs. (3.7 US tons) of paper and paper products.  That amount of recycled paper saved 63 trees, 1406 gallons of oil, 11.1 cubic yards of landfill space, 14,800 kilowatts of energy, and 25,900 gallons of water!  Furthermore, when added to March's event (2,250 lbs. of paper), the collection for November's Shred-Recycle Day brings our total to 9,641 lbs. or 4.8 US tons of paper collected for shredding and recycling in 2013.  That's 81 trees saved, 1,832 gallons of oil, 33,744 gallons of water, 19,282 kWh, and 14.5 cubic yards of landfill. Way to go, MCC!

Paper made from recycled paper uses 70% less energy and results in 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution. 

2.    Before leaving for our Winter Break, please consider the following:
•    Shut down computers and printers
•    Unplug printers or any charging device that uses ghost energy
•    If you use a portable fan or heater unplug them
•    If you have a microwave in your office or break room unplug them
•    If you have a small refrigerator In your office take this opportunity to clean it out and unplug it
•    Set your room t-stat to low setting
•    Close your blinds
•    Make sure all lights are off

Helps us save on energy costs plus reduces the College’s vulnerability to hackers and other malicious activities this season.

III.    What are your thoughts on our sustainability efforts? 
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