Sustainability Committee Initiatives

Sustainability Committee Initiatives

1. Increasing Awareness/Education: In 2008-09, we worked on raising awareness of what each campus member can do to help us in our move toward a sustainable culture with our Emerald Campus. This year, we are seeking to expand the awareness, as Foothill has now added Sustainability as a core value of the college. Efforts include:

Student Connections: Collaboration with the Environmental Technology and other student clubs as well as student leaders on campus to gain their participation in initiatives, and hosting of events designed to raise student awareness.
Staff/Faculty/Administrators: Hosting a monthly Brown Bag lunch series for Faculty/Staff/Administrators to open a dialogue regarding sustainability issues.
Curriculum: Researching ways to assist/provide support to faculty who are beginning to build sustainability into the curriculum.

2. Building/Reconstruction: Our new PSEC building is being designed to be LEED silver certified. We are also looking into the use of sustainable or recycled materials wherever possible and towards achieving reduced energy use and improvement of indoor air quality.

3. Recycling/Waste Stream Reduction: Many different efforts going on on campus to reduce our waste stream:

Recycling of carpet, furniture and other materials.
Composting: Composting of coffee grounds, manure from the Vet Tech program, and leaves from campus and using the compost to fee our new Organic Garden. We hope to expand this program as a new compost containment system is built.
Recycling of used Office Paper/TTW Student Project: A collaborative effort with the TTW (Transition to Work) Students has begun. The students collect recyclable (non-sensitive) paper. They deliver it to the Print Shop to have it made into scratch tablets that will be delivered back to the offices for reuse.
Food Services/Biodegradable products: KJs and Fresh and Natural have been working cooperatively towards reducing their waste streams, using more biodegradable materials and collaborating with us in our composting efforts. **If you bring your coffee mug over to KJs, they will fill your cup and give you a .15 cent discount each time--save money and reduce the waste stream!!**

4. Foothill Campus Garden: The Foothill Organic Garden is 85% complete. The goal is complete the irrigation system and construction within the next several months so that the garden will be ready for groups to come in and utilize the beds to raise vegetables in early Spring!

4. Sustainability Management Plan: The Sustainability Committee is finalizing the plan Fall Quarter 09. It will then go through the governance process for acceptance and adoption as part of the overall master planning for the campus this year.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE DEVELOPMENTS!!

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Revised: October 19, 2009

	Sustainability Committee Main Page Sustainability Policy Current initiatives Meeting Notes Green Tips Archive Links/Resources		Sustainability Committee Initiatives 1. Increasing Awareness/Education: In 2008-09, we worked on raising awareness of what each campus member can do to help us in our move toward a sustainable culture with our Emerald Campus. This year, we are seeking to expand the awareness, as Foothill has now added Sustainability as a core value of the college. Efforts include: Student Connections: Collaboration with the Environmental Technology and other student clubs as well as student leaders on campus to gain their participation in initiatives, and hosting of events designed to raise student awareness. Staff/Faculty/Administrators: Hosting a monthly Brown Bag lunch series for Faculty/Staff/Administrators to open a dialogue regarding sustainability issues. Curriculum: Researching ways to assist/provide support to faculty who are beginning to build sustainability into the curriculum. 2. Building/Reconstruction: Our new PSEC building is being designed to be LEED silver certified. We are also looking into the use of sustainable or recycled materials wherever possible and towards achieving reduced energy use and improvement of indoor air quality. 3. Recycling/Waste Stream Reduction: Many different efforts going on on campus to reduce our waste stream: Recycling of carpet, furniture and other materials. Composting: Composting of coffee grounds, manure from the Vet Tech program, and leaves from campus and using the compost to fee our new Organic Garden. We hope to expand this program as a new compost containment system is built. Recycling of used Office Paper/TTW Student Project: A collaborative effort with the TTW (Transition to Work) Students has begun. The students collect recyclable (non-sensitive) paper. They deliver it to the Print Shop to have it made into scratch tablets that will be delivered back to the offices for reuse. Food Services/Biodegradable products: KJs and Fresh and Natural have been working cooperatively towards reducing their waste streams, using more biodegradable materials and collaborating with us in our composting efforts. If you bring your coffee mug over to KJs, they will fill your cup and give you a .15 cent discount each time--save money and reduce the waste stream!! 4. Foothill Campus Garden: The Foothill Organic Garden is 85% complete. The goal is complete the irrigation system and construction within the next several months so that the garden will be ready for groups to come in and utilize the beds to raise vegetables in early Spring! 4. Sustainability Management Plan: The Sustainability Committee is finalizing the plan Fall Quarter 09. It will then go through the governance process for acceptance and adoption as part of the overall master planning for the campus this year. *STAY TUNED FOR MORE DEVELOPMENTS!!* top of page Revised: October 19, 2009