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TEAM GREEN Manchester Community College

Facilitators: Patrick Sullivan, Susan Gibbens, Andrew Paterna

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  The widely accepted definition of sustainability is the ability to provide for the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

  This is a particularly important challenge for Americans- who consume more per person than any other people on the planet.

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  Sustainability… the basic principles and concepts remain constant:

balancing the economy, protection for the environment, and social responsibility,

together they lead to an improved quality of life for ourselves and future generations.

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MCC became a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007. There are currently 607 signatories to date in this national initiative.

Requirements:   1. Conduct a “carbon audit.”   2. Develop long-term strategic plan related to our energy use and our carbon “footprint.”

  3. Goal: “carbon neutrality” (a very small carbon footprint)

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  Net Carbon Emissions (MT eCo2): 4,462

  Electricity kWh: 8,237,091   Cost to MCC for that electricity: $1,194,618 (Our Goal: reduce electricity costs by 20%)

  Short tons of solid waste: 290

  Cardboard/paper recycling: 62.28 tons

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  DISCUSSION TOPICS/Projects:   Partner with CT-Transit to provide additional bus

service to the campus…vary times of arrivals and include more express service to the campus (Fall 2009)

  Water “Filling Stations” …water fountains/filters for students/faculty/staff for re-useable water bottles   Clean up- pond behind the Bandshell (in progress)

  Construction- walkway around entrance pond for use by environmental science classes

  “Living Roof” project…plant flowers on sections of flat roof areas on some campus buildings (heating/cooling)

  Car/Share a ride system with support of the college

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  DISCUSSION TOPICS/Projects:   Waste Oil recycling (café/culinary arts)   Paper recycling (containers on campus)   Cans/Bottles recycling (containers on campus)   Energy Efficient Lighting /Fair/demo   Greenhouse (Bio/Culinary Arts)   Composting (Bio/Culinary Arts— in progress)   Re-useable Water Bottles sold in café   Cafeteria recycling – trays/plates/cups

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  DISCUSSION TOPICS/Projects:   Carbon Footprint/Energy Audit (in progress)   Electronic Recycling (Spring 2009 date TBA)   Windmill Energy … Demonstration project   Solar Energy… Demonstration project   Community Gardens on campus (in progress)   Add more Bike racks on campus   Expansion of college grounds cared for in an environmentally friendly way (5 acres/no pesticides))

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  DISCUSSION TOPICS/Projects:   Support Focus the Nation program (1/08)   Support Earth Day Programs/events/one week (April 22, 2009)   Sponsor a Farmer’s Market on campus to support

local growers and artisans (ongoing-June-October, completed 2nd year 2008)   Develop a Green Column in the Live Wire to increase student awareness of these efforts (two issues have been completed)

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  DISCUSSION TOPICS/Projects:   Develop a ‘Green Newsletter’ for the campus (first issue emailed June 2008, second issue Dec 2008)   Energy Saving Tips for campus computers- can we ‘power down’ (IT issued EST’s to staff)   Outdoor lighting on campus- can we reduce it   Free-Cycle – a program to assist students in

efforts to re-use notebooks/folders/textbooks (Fall 2009)

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JOIN THE MOVEMENT- REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE 15