CAMPUS
SUSTAINABILITY
INITIATIVES
Recycling Program
Saint Mary's College sends away a variety of items to be recycled. Throughout the campus there are blue bins marked “Recycle” into which all recyclable items may be placed, including aluminum, plastic, glass, paper, magazines, newspapers and cardboard. These co-mingled materials are then taken off campus to be separated. The College recycles roughly 30 cubic yards a month of these mixed materials.
Used batteries (except automotive, marine, and motorcycle) may be recycled in one of three locations: the Physical plant office, the Warehouse, and also the Rheem facility’s kitchen. Acceptable battery types include Alkaline, NiCad, Carbon Zinc, Lithium, Nickel and metal hyd.
On October 27th, 2005, a special electronic waste pick-up site on campus collected eight pallets of "e-waste" from the college community and local residents, plus twelve pallets of campus-generated (campus owned) waste.
A second "e-waste" community pick-up will take place on Friday, May 12, 2006.
Recycling Program begins in Augustine Hall, March 27th, 2006.
Saint Mary's recognized by the Flex Your Power organization for leadership in energy efficiency
Tthe College was chosen as a finalist from nearly 600 candidates. This statewide campaign encourages the voluntary tracking and reporting of emissions and energy use. Flex Your Power recognizes organizations, institutions, and individuals that have made exceptional contributions toward saving energy.
Saint Marys' was featured on Sunday, November 6, 2005, in a Flex Your Power Congratulatory Ad.
Click here to see a PDF file of the advertisement that features Saint Mary's and its energy efficiency efforts.
___________________________________________________________________
Saint Mary's joins the US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
 |
The US Partnership consists of individuals, organizations and institutions in the United States dedicated to education for sustainable development (ESD). The partnership was formed as a response to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).
The US Partnership is convening individuals and organizations from a broad spectrum of society in order to catalyze cross-sector communication that leverages the UN Decade to promote understanding of sustainable development.
The primary goal of the US Partnership is to bring about a new cultural norm in which Americans are more "literate" about sustainability challenges and have both the skills and attitudes to participate in solutions.
SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE EARNS OVER $150,000 IN UTILITY REBATES AFTER INSTALLING ENERGY AND WATER CONSERVATION UPGRADES
Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the East Bay Municipal Utility District presented Saint Mary’s College with over $150,000 in rebates on April 21, 2005 as part of a utility conservation project. The project implemented energy and water conservation measures that will save the college more than $250,000 per year in utility bills.
Saint Mary’s College partnered with Chevron Energy Solutions to develop a self-funding utility conservation project that will help the college reduce utility costs, replace old, inefficient equipment, and allow for future campus expansion. The project included high-efficiency lighting, plumbing retrofits, window film, vending machine controllers, sewage flow meters, ventilation improvements, and boiler controllers.
“Saint Mary's College is honored to be part of this program,” said Peter Michell, the college's vice president for finance. “Environmental conservation is consistent with the college's social justice mission and reducing utility costs is a necessity for all large institutions.”
PG&E estimates the improvements will save Saint Mary’s over 1 million kilowatt hours in electricity use each year, reduce power demand by over 300 kilowatts, and save the college $242,000 on its annual PG&E bill.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District estimates Saint Mary’s will also save 4.3 million gallons of water each year from improvements made to toilets and urinals. The upgrades earn the college annual savings of over $14,000 on its water bill.
Saint Mary’s first annual Bike to School Day
took place on April 27th, 2006.
Over 1% of the student body rode their bikes to school! Between the hours of 8am and 10am more people biked to school than rode the County Connection Bus lines.
The event was initiated by Erin Biller, Yovana Gomez and Elijah Galarza as part of an Independent study course in Public Relations. Their efforts are part of a growing body of sustainability initiatives on campus designed to have a positive impact on our environment.
For those who wanted to ride, but lacked time, a bicycle or both, the 2nd annual bike to school day will be in April 2007!
Saint Mary's College participated in Campus Sustainability Day, Wednesday, October 26th, 9:30-11:30.
An interactive webcast in the Soda Center.
A (recycled, of course) Six-Pack of Sustainability Lessons from the Past Year in Higher Education. Nationally renowned science correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), Joe Palca, will moderate SCUP's Campus Sustainability Day on October 26, 2005.
To see the webcast materials , click here
© 2005 Society for College and University Planning
Acting locally:
More than 50 student-athletes are volunteering with Moraga Beautiful, the annual community clean-up effort to upgrade playground equipment and facilities, remove invasive plants, pick up litter, and other projects.
Saint Mary's took part in National Recycling Day:
"California Fresh Buffet"
fresh, organic foods served in Oliver Hall from alllaround California in celebration of National Recycling Day, November 15th, 2005
The Habitat Garden
Located on the east side of the School of Education building, the Habitat Garden serves to educate students and the community about wildlife habitats. It demonstrates how water can be conserved and urban runoff pollution reduced. The Garden has been re-vegetated with California native plants and non-native drought-tolerant plants chosen to attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Organic mulch has replaced pesticides to control weeds. The hillside is planted to stop soil erosion. A drip irrigation system prevents runoff and conserves water. Interpretive signs throughout the garden educate vistors about water conservation, urban runoff pollution, and wildlife habitats.
The project was funded by the Contra Costa County Clearn Water Project.