MCC Sustainability Efforts for December 2015

Did You Know? MCC saves energy and $ with photovoltaic panels on the Science, Student Services, and Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC) buildings. The Science building panels power the courtyard bubbler fountain pump. The Student Services and ESEC buildings get about 15% of their electricity from solar power. The ESEC gets another 30% of its power from renewable energy sources, and its HVAC system fans are powered entirely by geothermal wells.

Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall:
1. MCC’s Biannual Shred and Recycle Day on November 6th was a success! Your efforts helped MCC again meet sustainability goals. Data will be available in spring.

2. Before leaving for Winter Break, please:
a. Shut down computer lab computers, monitors, document cameras, and printers
b. Unplug all charging devices that use ghost energy
c. Unplug portable fans or heaters
d. Unplug the microwave in your office or break room
e. Clean and unplug small office refrigerators
f. Lower your office thermostat
g. Close your blinds
h. Turn all lights off
Help us save energy and reduce hacking and other malicious activities this season.

3. Practice these 6 sustainability R’s over the holidays:
a. Reuse: Instead of buying something new, consider reusing things you already have and have worn or tried only a few times.
b. Recycle: Instead of adding to our already loaded dumps, consider recycling.
c. Repurpose: Can you use that container or item for another purpose?
d. Repair: Instead of buying something new, fix or clean your older home technology.
e. Refuse: Do you need everything television or advertisers say you do? Just say no instead of buying into whatever they’re selling.
f. Rethink: Overall, think through your purchases and how you use them with the goal of becoming a better steward of our resources and our environment.

4. Computer Tips: Save energy and printing costs!
a. Change your default font to Century Gothic. It uses 30% less ink than Arial, the standard default setting in Microsoft Office programs.
b. Use a smaller font size to reduce the number of pages and ink.
c. Reduce top, bottom, and both side margins to 0.5 inches or less.
d. 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 typical ink cartridges cost about $30? That’s about $10,000/gallon!

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

See us at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen/ and view our blog at http://mccgogreen.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for your support! We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

The MCC Sustainability Committee

MCC Sustainability Efforts for October

1. Did You Know?
The Health Professions Simulation Building was designated LEED Certified this month. This is the 5th college building currently LEED certified by the United States Green Building Council. The others are the Science, ESEC, MAC, and the Student Services Center, all certified LEED Gold. The college will realize savings in energy and operational expenses for years to come. 
2. Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall:
MCC’s Bi-annual Shred and Recycle Day will be November 6 from 8:00 am to 12:00 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/.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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.
3. 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 2015

I.    Did You Know?  The Student Services Center was certified LEED gold in August.  This makes the 4th college building certified LEED gold.  The Health Professions Simulation is pending LEED silver and we should receive that certification from the USGBC within the next couple of months.

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall:
National Drug Take Back Collection Day is scheduled for September 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. area police departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  This the tenth opportunity in five years to prevent pill abuse, theft, and accidental consumption by children by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted drugs.  Bring your pills for disposal to the Woodway, Waco, Hewitt Lorena Police Departments or visit www.DEA.org for a location near you.  Please do not bring liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or medical patches.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The Waco Police Department location will be available on September 26 and 27.

The Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal. It is important for our citizens to remember that you should not flush unwanted drugs down the toilet, put them in the trash or leave the unwanted medications where others might reach them.

National Drug Take Back Collections

Saturday, September 26, 2015

COLLECTION SITE	ADDRESS	CITY	STATE, ZIP
WOODWAY PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT	920 Estates Dr..	WOODWAY	TX, 76712
WACO POLICE DEPARTMENT	Waco Police Tower, 3115 Pine Avenue	WACO	TX, 76708
HEWITT POLICE DEPARTMENT	100 Patriot Court,	HEWITT	TX, 76643
LORENA POLICE DEPARTMENT	100 N. Bordon St.	LORENA	TX, 76655

MCC’s Bi-annual Shred and Recycle Day will be November 6 from 8:00 am to 12:00 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 - Annual Green Week and Bi-Annual Shred Day Next Week

Come join us for MCC’s Annual Green Week scheduled for March 23-27.  This week-long observance will promote a sustainable lifestyle and highlight current environmental efforts on campus.  We will also announce our RecycleMania and Campus Conservation Nationals results during the final event.

Events during the week include:

March 23, 2015 2:00 p.m.:  Anna Dunbar from the COW will present city recycling and changes forthcoming in their program.

March 24, 2015 2:00 p.m.:  Bryan Mohan, MCC grounds Supervisor, and the Calsense representatives will cover water conservation on campus and what grounds is doing with our sprinkler systems.

March 25, 2015 2:00 p.m.:  The state comptroller’s office speaks about the current drought in Texas and the need to conserve water.

March 26, 2015 2:00 p.m.: Student volunteers will work with grounds on various projects such as mulching around campus trees and working in the community garden.

March 26, 2015 3:00 p.m. - Tree Campus USA Arbor Day Observance: We will have our annual Arbor Day Observance with a tree planting between the LA and SSC building.  Janis Jackson will give a tree tour of campus after the event.

Bi Annual Reuse-Recycle-Shred Day - March 27, 2015 8:00 a.m. to noon: We will have our Bi-annual Recycle/Shred Day at the MAC parking lot from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Bring your items from home and work.  For more information, go to America Recycles Day at http://americarecyclesday.org/.

• 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.  
• 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.
• 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.
• 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). 
• 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.

MCC Sustainability Efforts for March 2015

I.    Did You Know?  MCC has been designated Tree Campus USA for the third year in a row.  The College’s Sustainability Committee and Tree Campus USA Committee are working with a local landscaping group to update our tree inventory and expand it to include the area surrounding the MWF building.  The survey includes identifying [labeling?] significant trees and assessing the health of others.

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Spring:
a.    RecycleMania at MCC.  MCC is currently competing in Recyclemania, an eight-week competition to promote recycling on campus, against other universities and colleges across the U.S. and Canada.  MCC is competing for the Gorilla Prize (overall tonnage recycled) and in the Per Capita Classic.  We are recording how much we recycle weekly from Feb. 1-March 29. For more on RecycleMania, visit http://recyclemaniacs.org/.

How can you get involved? Use the recycling containers on campus! Look for the 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. Now showing at the MCC Library:  a “Green” display, highlighting books on sustainability and recycling, as well as 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 second year competing in the Campus Conservation Nationals (http://competetoreduce.org).  CCN is the largest electricity and water reduction competition for colleges and universities in the world.  During CCN, selected buildings will monitor their electricity consumption for three weeks.  The building with the greatest reduction in consumption wins our coveted Energy Hog and a plaque in their building! We will announce which buildings have been selected and the competition dates the week prior to Spring Break.   Last year’s winner was the BPAC, which saved 10,056 lbs. of CO2 emissions.  

d.    Our next Reuse-Recycle-Shred Day is scheduled for March 27 in the MAC parking lot from 8:00AM until 12:00 PM.  Details to follow next month.

e.    Green Week (March 23-27).  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.  Events during the week include:

March 23, 2015 2:00 p.m.:  Anna Dunbar from the COW will present city recycling and changes forthcoming in their program.
March 24, 2015 2:00 p.m.:  Bryan Mohan, MCC grounds Supervisor, and the Calsense representatives will cover water conservation on campus and what grounds is doing with our sprinkler systems.
March 25, 2015 2:00 p.m.:  The state comptroller’s office speaks about the current drought in Texas and the need to conserve water.
March 26, 2015 2:00 p.m.: Student volunteers will work with grounds on various projects such as mulching around campus trees and working in the community garden.
March 26, 2015 3:00 p.m. - Tree Campus USA Arbor Day Observance: We will have our annual Arbor Day Observance with a tree planting between the LA and SSC building.  Janis Jackson will give a tree tour of campus after the event.
March 27, 2015 8:00 a.m.:  We will have our Bi-annual Recycle/Shred Day at the MAC parking lot from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

III.    What are your thoughts on our sustainability efforts?  Check out our website and blog at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen/ and http://mccgogreen.blogspot.com/ and see us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityMCC.

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

The MCC Sustainability Committee

MCC Sustainability Efforts for February 2015

I.    Did You Know?  MCC’s Continuing Education (CE) program is installing a rainwater harvest system on the storage sheds next to the garden to capture water to use on the garden.  CE will be offering a course on gardening, rainwater harvest, etc.  CE paid for the tanks and the sustainability account paid for the gutters and connecting piping.

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Spring:
a.    RecycleMania begins on February 1st.  MCC will once again participate in RecycleMania, an eight-week competition to promote recycling on campus.  We are again enrolled 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’ll record how much we recycle weekly from Feb. 1-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 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 second year competing in the Campus Conservation Nationals (http://competetoreduce.org).  CCN is the largest electricity and water reduction competition for colleges and universities in the world.  During CCN, selected buildings will monitor their electricity consumption for three weeks.  The building with the greatest reduction in consumption wins our coveted Energy Hog and a plaque in their building! We will announce which buildings have been selected and the competition dates the week prior to Spring Break.   Last year’s winner was the BPAC, which saved 10,056 lbs. of CO2 emissions.  

d.    Our next Reuse-Recycle-Shred Day is scheduled for March 27 in the MAC parking lot from 8:00AM until 12:00 PM).  Details to follow next month.

e.    Green Week (March 23-27). 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.  Events during the week include a talk on water conversation efforts in Texas by a state representative and our Green Week Capstone and Arbor Day Observance.

f.    Tree Campus USA Arbor Day Observance (March 26, 1:00-3:30 PM)  Since 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized MCC as a Tree Campus USA college.  To win this designation, schools must establish an advisory committee, a campus tree care plan and program, 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 for and maintain trees on campus.  

III.    What are your thoughts on our sustainability efforts?  Check out our website and blog at http://www.mclennan.edu/gogreen/ and http://mccgogreen.blogspot.com/ and see us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityMCC.

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

The MCC Sustainability Committee