Current Projects on Campus Sustainability:

I. Liberal and Civic Studies Forum 2: Nature and the Sacred, Fall, 2005.

1. Solid Waste Matter: Production and Disposal Methods (In progress)

       Goals:   Conduct a detailed waste audit at SMC to find ways to reduce the quantity of waste matter produced, and      develop environmentally sustainable disposal methods; Resource personnel available as needed, provided by Central Contra Costa Country Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA).              

        Projects:          

• Statistical audit(s) of waste matter currently produced at SMC;
• Analysis of environmental impact and cost factors in current disposal methods;
• Cost and feasibility analyses of environmentally sustainable alternatives to current disposal methods:
• Subject areas:  Food service facilities; classrooms, offices, residences; grounds;

• Project requirement: Independent scientific research.

2. Recycling (In progress)

• Goals: Inform and educate SMC students and maintenance staff about need for recycling of all biodegradable products, to develop consistent and conscientious recycling campus program. 

• Projects:  

• Using the video (See Education and Outreach, below) and a variety of educational and dramatic tools, improve current recycling and collection practices, and reduce waste production;
• Label recycling bins used in dorms and student residences with clearly defined lists of materials and should and should not be placed in containers for recycling;
• Gain cooperation of maintenance staff to empty recycling containers consistently and appropriately.  

3. Education and Outreach  (In progress)  

• Goals: Inform SMC students about the need for environmental conservation; improve and enhance environmental awareness and concern. Resource personnel available as needed, provided by Central Contra Costa Country Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) and Earth Team.  

• Project: Develop an educational video using SMC students, faculty, staff, and campus facilities. 

4. Alternative Transportation Resources (In progress) 

• Goals: Develop cost effective, feasible transportation alternatives for commuter and resident students to reduce environmental impact of excessive automobile use, congestion, and need for parking facilities.

• Projects: (Continue student research begun in 2003/2004)
• Cost and feasibility audits to improve public transportation to reduce exclusive dependence on automobiles.
• Renew efforts to persuade public transportation authorities to improve existing bus transportation serving SMC.
• Renew efforts to persuade public transportation authorities to provide shuttle service between SMC and BART.
• Expand resources currently provided by SMC on-line Carpooling Program (Brickpile Forum: http://smcnet.stmarys-ca.edu/discussion/)             

5. SMC Communications Office:  ‘Green’ Paper and Ink Review

        (In progress)  

• Goals:  Assist SMC Communications Office in reducing its environmental impact resulting from currently used printing papers and inks. Resource personnel available as needed, provided by SMC Communications Office staff.
• Projects:
• Identify and evaluate ‘green’ printing papers and vegetable-based inks suitable for CO’s publishing requirements.
• Survey Bay Area printers to assess their preferences and evaluation of ‘Green” printing papers and inks currently used in commercial printing operations;
• Prepare cost, feasibility, and environmental impact analysis of selected ‘green’ printing papers and vegetable-based inks.
• Project Requirements:

                    Preliminary product research;

                    Telephone surveys of selected Bay Area printers.

6. Environmental Learning Projects in Elementary School Classrooms

        (In progress)       

• Goals: Develop awareness and concern for environmental protection by educating children to the need for environmental conservation and helping them develop environmentally protective habits and attitudes as part of their education. 

• Projects: (Suitable for students who work and/or volunteer several hours weekly at elementary or secondary schools.)
• Introduce appropriate science projects and lessons in conservation and recycling in elementary classroom curriculum.
• Introduce recycling and waste reduction projects in elementary schools to educate and engage faculty interest and support. 

7. Environmental Audit of Plastic Sacks used in SMC Bookstore

        (In progress)

• Goal: Find environmentally sustainable alternatives to plastic bags currently used in SMC (Barnes and Noble) Bookstore. 

• Projects: 
  • Statistical audits of cost factors in purchasing plastic sacks vs sacks made of recycled paper products;
  • Analysis of respective environmental impacts resulting from use of plastic bags vs sacks made from  recycled paper products.

8. Environmental Audit of Paper Products used in SMC Restrooms  

• Goal:  Find environmentally sustainable alternatives to using paper products made from new materials; 

• Project:             
• Audit environmental impact of paper products currently used in SMC restrooms:
• Cost and feasibility audit in replacing currently used paper products with paper products made from recycled materials.  

9. Environmental Audit of Chemicals and Cleaning Products used at SMC 

• Goal:     Find effective, environmentally safe cleaning products and chemicals to replace toxic chemicals currently used in cleaning SMC’s buildings and facilities; 

• Project:             
• Audit cost factors and environmental impact of products currently used for cleaning and maintenance;
• Identify and analyze cost and feasibility factors in replacing current products with no-toxic, environmentally sustainable products;