MCC Sustainability Efforts for December 2014

I.    Did You Know?  Elaine Fagner and Brad Turner worked with the City of Waco
to produce an educational video on recycling efforts in Waco.  The video is
very informative and can been watched at http://vimeo.com/105660805

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall:  
1.  MCC’s Biannual Shred and Recycle Day on November 7th was a Success!  Thanks to all who participated.  We will have the numbers for you in the Spring but your efforts helped MCC again meet its commitment to sustainability.

2.  Before leaving for our Winter Break, please: 
•    Shut down computer lab computers, monitors, document cameras, and printers during the holidays. 
•    Unplug 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 office thermostat to low
•    Close your blinds
•    Make sure all lights are off

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

3.    Computer Tips: Save energy and printing costs with a few changes.  First, change your default font to Century Gothic. It uses 30% less ink than Arial, the standard default setting in Microsoft Office programs. Also, use a smaller font size to reduce the number of pages and ink.  Before printing, use the Print Preview option to see what your printout will look like and to find last-minute errors or formatting problems.  Then, set your printer to "Fast Draft," which uses less ink and prints faster.  Did you know that a typical ink cartridge costs about $30? That translates to about $10,000 per gallon!

4.    Tips for home energy savings during the holidays.  When stringing outside lights, put them on a timer.  You will save energy and $ by insuring the lights go off at a designated time.

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 and wishing all a safe and happy holiday season.

The MCC Sustainability Committee

MCC Sustainability Efforts for October 2014

I.    Did You Know?   The definition of sustainability as prepared by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987 is as follows:  “Sustainability is development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall: 
In honor of Texas Recycles Day, MCC’s Bi-annual Shred and Recycle Day will be November 7 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the back of the MAC parking lot.  Bring your items from home and work.  For more information, go to America Recycles Day at http://americarecyclesday.org/.
a.    What if I need assistance with my materials?  For assistance with picking up recyclables before the event, call Sid Ross at 299-8849 or email Sid at sross@mclennan.edu.  
b.    What recyclables can I bring?  Bring paper goods, plastic, metals, cardboard, and corrugated boxes.  No need to remove staples or paperclips.  Plastic containers must be empty.
c.    What recyclables are not accepted?  Please do not bring any electronics, glass, styrofoam, batteries, tires, appliances, used oil or oil filters, antifreeze, hazardous waste, or carbon paper.
d.    Will my items be shredded on campus?  Shredding does not take place at MCC, and we do not receive a formal document of destruction.  That service costs additional money.  We do receive confirmation that the paper items were shredded upon receipt by Cintas (previously known as Certishred).
e.    Freecycle/reuse table: De-clutter your space and help us keep good stuff out of a landfill at the same time! Drop off clean, working items that you no longer need.  If you see an item on the table that you want, take it.  It's free.  Any leftover items will be donated to Goodwill.

Glass Recycling: Cobbs Convenience Center accepts plastic, aluminum and other metal, cardboard, paper, and corrugated box material from anyone, including those living outside the Waco area.  Glass is accepted only from Waco residents.  Cobbs Convenience Center is located at 2021 North 44th Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday (8 am - 5 pm) to drop off your materials free of charge.  For a map to the site and more details go to: http://www.waco-texas.com/solid-waste-recycling.asp

Free Mulch: Free mulch is available at the 19th street parking lot.  Bring your own shovels, bags, trailers, etc. and help yourself. Contact the Physical Plant for more information.

Campus bicycle rental program is alive and well.  The program is available to students, faculty, and staff.  Contact Janice Kasner at the physical plant 299-8863 if interested in renting a bicycle for the fall semester. 

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

MCC Sustainability Efforts for September 2014

I.    Did You Know?  "Americans generate more trash than anyone else on the planet: more than 7 pounds per person each day" (http://m.npr.org/news/Science/150735732.) Some 70% of it, mostly containers & packaging, goes directly into landfills, and nearly all of it could be recycled.  Moreover, our trash has a wider impact than our local area. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a composite of plastics and other trash that has floated into a region between Hawai‘i and California within the North Pacific Subtropical High (http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html). Some of this massive floating trash patch is visible, but much consists of miniscule floating plastic debris, none of it immediately biodegradable. Part of this Garbage Patch floats in the Subtropical Convergence Zone, just north of the Hawaiian archipelago, where it threatens the abundant marine life, including the not-so-abundant endangered Monk Seal. 

How can you help from Waco, Texas?  Recycle your plastic containers right here on the MCC campus in our single-stream recycling containers!  Many Waco communities also offer curbside recycling.  For more information, see http://www.waco-texas.com/solid-waste-curbside.asp.

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall: 
In honor of Texas Recycles Day, MCC’s Bi-annual Shred and Recycle Day will be November 7 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the back of the MAC parking lot.  Bring your items from home and work.  For more information, go to America Recycles Day at http://americarecyclesday.org/.
a.    What if I need assistance with my materials?  For assistance with picking up recyclables before the event, call Sid Ross at 299-8849 or email Sid at sross@mclennan.edu.  
b.    What recyclables can I bring:  Bring paper goods, plastic, metals, cardboard, and corrugated boxes.  No need to remove staples or paperclips.  Plastic containers must be empty.
c.    What recyclables are not accepted?  Please do not bring any electronics, glass, Styrofoam, batteries, tires, appliances, used oil or oil filters, antifreeze, hazardous waste, or carbon paper.
d.    Will my items be shredded on campus?  Shredding does not take place at MCC, and we do not receive a formal document of destruction.  That service costs additional money.  We do receive confirmation that the paper items were shredded upon receipt by Cintas (previously known as Certishred). 
e.    Freecycle/reuse table: De-clutter your space and help us keep good stuff out of a landfill at the same time! Drop off clean, working items that you no longer need.  If you see an item on the table that you want, take it.  It's free.  Any leftover items will be donated to Goodwill.

Glass Recycling: Cobbs Convenience Center accepts plastic, aluminum and other metal, cardboard, paper, and corrugated box material from anyone, including those living outside the Waco area.  Glass is accepted only from Waco residents.  Cobbs Convenience Center is located at 2021 North 44th Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday (8 am - 5 pm) to drop off your materials free of charge.  For a map to the site and more details go to: http://www.waco-texas.com/solid-waste-recycling.asp

Free Mulch: Free mulch is available at the 19th street parking lot.  Bring your own shovels, bags, trailers, etc. and help yourself. Contact the Physical Plant for more information.

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

MCC Sustainability Efforts This Month for May 2014

May is 34th Annual Building Safety month, a national recognition promoted by the International Code Council (ICC) and endorsed by FEMA to bring awareness to how individuals and institutions can create and maintain safe, sustainable, and resilient homes and buildings.  It is also an opportunity to bring visibility to strong building safety, fire prevention and energy codes and standards.  Attached please find an ICC checklist of 10 important tips to remember for green and sustainable buildings taken from the Department of Energy.  These can apply at MCC and at home.

For more information on the month and access to valuable resources go to FEMA’s Building Science Branch website at http://www.fema.gov/building-science and the ICC’s Building Safety Month website at www.buildingsafetymonth.org.

Have a safe and sustainable summer!

I.    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/.  Check out our new Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityMCC

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

The MCC Sustainability Committee

Events

RecycleMania: Thru March 29. 
RecycleMania is a competition and benchmarking tool for colleges and universities to promote recycling and waste reduction on campus. 
Though we have participated in RecycleMania since 2011, this is our first time in the Competition Division.  We are competing in the Per Capita Classic and Gorilla Prize (overall tonnage).
To help us compete, use the recycling containers on campus! There are blue recycling containers in common areas and select classrooms through out campus and some buildings even have dedicated recycling stations (LEED buildings).  The large yellow dumpsters across campus (ex. LTC, MAC, BPAC.) are designated for recyclables as well.  What can you recycle? MCC students, faculty, and staff can recycle paper, plastic, aluminum cans, and cardboard in any of the designated receptacles.  You may even bring recyclable items from home.  The MCC Library has also put together a “Green” display, highlighting books on sustainability and recycling, as well as displaying the manytypes of materials suitable for recycling.

Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN)- March 17- April 3
This is MCC's first year participating in the Campus Conservation Nationals.  CCN is the largest electricity and water reduction competition for colleges and universities in the world.  CCN strives to engage and motivate people to conserve resources. During the competition, BPAC, MAC, LTC, SB, AC, and HPS  will monitor their electricity consumption for three weeks.  The building with the greatest reduction in consumption wins, while the building with the least reduction will be awarded the Energy Hog prize! For more on CCN, visit http://competetoreduce.org.  You can track our progress in real time by visiting  http://buildingdashboard.net/mclennan/#/mclennan and pledge to commit to different energy saving behaviors or click on a specific building to track its progress. 

Energy saving tips :
• Don’t leave cell phone or laptop chargers plugged in when not in use! Chargers consume “phantom energy” if left plugged in.
• Turn off lights when leaving a room!
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator!  Burn calories not watts!
• Turn off computers (don’t just log-off) when finished in the computer labs! It saves energy and protects the computer. The only hack-proof
computer is one that is turned off.

Reuse-Recycle-Shred Day (March 21, MAC parking lot, 8:00AM until 12:00 PM)
MCC hosts this special event open to the community every semester.  We accept the following recyclables from home or work: paper goods, plastic, metals, cardboard, and corrugated boxes.  No need to remove staples or paperclips.  Plastic containers must be empty.  Please do not bring electronics, glass, styrofoam, batteries, tires, appliances, used oil or oil filters, antifreeze, hazardous waste, or carbon paper.  We also offer document shredding.  Cintas will accept items to be shredded and process them at their facility off-campus.  In addition to our recycling efforts, we are hosting a Reuse Table.  De-clutter your space and help us keep good stuff out of a landfill at the same time! Drop off clean, working items that you no longer need.  If you see an item on the table that you want, take it.  It's free.  Any leftover items will be donated to Goodwill.  Also, we will offer free mulch, located at the North 19th St. in a temporary parking lot.  Physical plant folks will be there from 8:00 to 12:00 PM to load trucks or trailers.

Green Week (March 31-April 3)
MCC will host its Second Annual Green Week– a week long observance promoting a sustainable lifestyle and highlighting current environmental efforts on campus.  We will also announce our RecycleMania and CCN results during the final event.
Monday (March 31), 11:00 AM- noon, SB 228: "Living Sustainably: How to Live a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle" speaker Sarah Johnson
Tuesday (April 1), 11:00 AM-noon, SB 117:  "Gardening 101"  speaker Claudette Jackson
Wednesday (April 2), 11:00 AM- noon, SB 228:  "Water Conservation"  speaker Bryan Mohan - this event has been cancelled.
Thursday (April 3), 1:00-3:30 PM, courtyard between the LTC and SSC buildings: Green Week Capstone and Arbor Day Observance

Tree Campus USA Arbor Day Observance (April 3, 1:00-3:30 PM, courtyard between the LTC and SSC buildings)
Since 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized MCC as a Tree Campus USA college.  To be awarded this designation, colleges and universities must establish a Tree Campus Advisory Committee, a campus tree care plan, a campus tree program with dedicated expenditures, an Arbor Day Observance, and a service learning project. MCC honors its Arbor Day Observance each spring by hosting a special event on the history and importance of Arbor Day, which includes invited speakers, a tree planting ceremony in recognition of faculty or staff, and a student volunteer opportunity to help care and maintain trees on campus.  We will plant a red oak tree in recognition of Paul Holder, Professor in the Government Department.

MCC Sustainability Efforts for February 2014

MCC Sustainability Efforts for February 2014

I.    Did You Know?  There are various parking spots in lots H and B, and at the ESEC reserved for Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV) and High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV).  AFV vehicles include hybrids like Toyota’s Prius while HOV are for vehicles with more than one passenger commuting to and from campus. The Sustainability Committee asks you to encourage your peers and pupils to respect the college's efforts in providing priority parking for our energy efficient commuters with the same respect given to the designated motorcycle and handicapped areas. 

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Spring: 
a.    Recycle Mania begins on February 1st. MCC will once again participate in RecycleMania–an eight week competition to promote recycling on campus.  While we've participated in RecycleMania since 2009, this will be our first year in the Competition Division.  We will compete against other universities and colleges across the U.S. and Canada in the Gorilla Prize (overall tonnage recycled) and the Per Capita Classic.  We record how much we recycle weekly from Feb. 2-March 29. For more on RecycleMania, visit http://recyclemaniacs.org/

How can you get involved? Use the recycling containers on campus! We have blue recycling containers in common areas and select classrooms throughout campus.  Some buildings have dedicated recycling stations (ex. Science Building, 1st floor).  If your building or floor does not have recycling bins, contact the Physical Plant at 299-8843.  The large yellow dumpsters across campus (ex. LTC, MAC, etc.) are designated for recyclables as well.  The MCC Library has also put together a “Green” display, highlighting books on being “green”, sustainability and recycling, as well as displaying the many types of materials suitable for recycling. 

What can you recycle? MCC students, faculty, and staff can recycle paper, plastic, aluminum cans, and cardboard in any of the designated receptacles.

b.    Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN): This is MCC's first year competing in the Campus Conservation Nationals.  CCN is the largest electricity and water reduction competition for colleges
and universities in the world.  CCN strives to engage and motivate people to conserve resources. During CCN selected buildings will monitor their electricity consumption for three weeks. 
The building with the greatest reduction in consumption wins! We will announce which buildings have been selected and the competition dates the week prior to Spring Break.  For more on CCN,
visit http://competetoreduce.org.

Our participation in RecycleMania and CCN is part of MCC's goal to foster a culture of conservation on our campus while highlighting sustainable behaviors and social responsibility.
 Please participate and help us encourage others to do so as well.

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/.  Check out our new Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityMCC 

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

The MCC Sustainability Committee