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