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

What do you do with that old TV or computer monitor after Santa brings a new one this Christmas season?

You now have a number of options to consider.  For those that missed the announcement, the Waco City Council, during its December 3 meeting, approved elimination of the fees charged for recycling items with a cathode ray tube, such as TVs and monitors.  In addition, the Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement for expanded electronics recycling at the Cobbs Recycling Center!  This program is for Waco residents with out -dated or broken electronics. Now Waco residents can bring in televisions and computers, printers, monitors, and other items at no charge to the Cobbs Recycling Center on a year-round basis. 

A second option, especially for electronics that are still working, is to take them to the Goodwill Computer Works Store on 3332 Franklin Ave (http://www.wacocomputerworks.org/).  Goodwill takes these donations, restores what they can, then offers them for resale to the community.  This is also a great place to look for used but functional (and cheap) electronics components while helping your community.

Wishing you all a Happy Holidays from MCC’s Sustainability Committee

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

MCC Sustainability Efforts for November 2013

I.    Did You Know? 
City of Waco Scrap Tire Day is Saturday, November 2, 2013:  Waco residents (only) may bring in up to 10 passenger car tires per household to the solid waste services parking lot at 501 Schroeder.  This is the first time in seven years that the city of Waco has offered this service.
II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall: 
In honor of America Recycles Day, MCC’s Biannual Shred and Recycle Day will be November 15th 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.    Need assistance with materials?  Call Sid Ross at 299-8849 or email Sid at sross@mclennan.edu to have recyclables picked up before the event.
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 is not accepted?  Please do not bring electronics, glass, styrofoam, batteries, tires, appliances, used oil or oil filters, antifreeze, hazardous waste, or carbon paper.
d.    Are items shredded on campus? No, 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.    Free Mulch:  The mulch is located at the North 19th St. in a temporary parking lot.  Physical plant folks will be there from 8:00 to 12:00 to load trucks or trailers.
f.    NEW!! In addition to our recycling efforts, we are hosting a 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.
Computer Usage Bonus Quiz:
When can your computer not be hacked?
a.    When you’re reading emails
b.    When you’re surfing your favorite XXX site
c.    When it’s in sleep mode and you are too
d.    When it’s off
The answer is d.  Though not a good idea to turn your computer on and off throughout the day, you save power and equipment wear if you turn off your computer and monitor when you leave for the weekend or extended holiday.  It will not hurt your computer and will frustrate hackers.
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 October 2013

I.    Did You Know? 
a.    New Campus-Wide Irrigation System Saves Water: MCC is now piloting the Calsense computerized water management system to irrigate the LTC plaza area of campus.  The system monitors water flows and ground moisture, watering only when needed.  If the system proves itself, it will be expanded to the entire campus, substantially reducing water use.
b.    MCC Recognized by KEEP Waco Beautiful as Business of the Year in 2013. This award recognizes MCC for its beautiful campus and its sustainable activities.  Brad Turner, Sustainability Committee member & MCC Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, prepared and submitted the information needed to win this award. 
c.    City of Waco Scrap Tire Day Set Saturday November 2, 2013:  The City of Waco will hold a Scrap Tire Recycle Day at the solid waste services parking lot at 501 Schroeder.  Waco residents (only) may bring in up to 10 passenger car tires per household.  This is the first time in seven years that the city of Waco has offered this service.

II.    Sustainability Activities on Campus this Fall: 
In honor of Texas Recycles Day, MCC’s Bi-annual Shred and Recycle Day will be November 15th 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.    NEW!! In addition to our recycling efforts, we are hosting a free-cycle/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.

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