At Richland Community College, “sustainability” isn’t just a catch phrase. The College has been taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint for years. In January 2008, the Richland Board of Trustees adopted a tenet that encouraged the College to create a culture of sustainability by weaving the core values of commitment, respect, excellence, accountability, and diversity into sustainable concepts with a perspective measured by the Triple Bottom Line - Environment, People, and Economics.

Single Stream Recycling In another effort to reduce the College’s carbon footprint and develop sustainable practices, Richland has begun a “single-stream” recycling program with Midwest Fiber Recycling. Single-stream allows recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, and plastics to be mixed, or co-mingled, in one recycling container without being separated. With single-stream recycling, recyclable materials no longer need to be sorted into separate containers. This is one way Richland is helping close the loop so recyclable materials can be made into other useful products. This endeavor also helps reduce landfill waste, and helps Richland save on garbage costs. Sustainability Coordinator, Ben Newton, also is providing assistance in offices transitioning to “zero waste” in Richland offices. Following the 3 R’s principle in order of importance-

• 1. REDUCE the amount of waste you have. When making purchases also consider the amount of packaging. Bring a water bottle with your favorite beverage, instead of buying a new beverage in a plastic bottle. Check existing storage on campus first before new purchases are made.

• 2. REUSE the other side of the paper or products that can be used for child care art projects, etc.

• 3. RECYCLE is the last step of the three R’s. fIf you cannot REDUCE or REUSE, then RECYCLE everything at Richland’s campus.

Waste cans in campus offices will not have a trash can liner bag and will be dedicated only to recycling. Food waste will be disposed of in the hallway bullet waste cans.

What CAN we recycle?

• Newspaper
• Empty Plastic Bottles
• Cardboard/Paper
• Milk Cartons (empty)
• Magazines and Books
• Empty Food Cans
• Frozen Food Boxes (empty)
• Dairy Containers (empty)
• Egg Cartons (empty)
• Plastics #1 - #7

What can NOT be recycled?

• Glass
• Scrap Metal
• Plastic Bags (Grocery)
• Food Waste
• Electronics
• Light Bulbs
• Ceramics
• Hazardous Waste
• Motor Oil Bottles
• Styrofoam
• Yard Waste
• Garbage

Beware of Phantom Power Loads

Richland is also educating faculty and staff of the cost of phantom power loads. Did you know that even when your electronic equipment/appliances are “off,” they still continue to use electricity? This is because they are not actually “off.” They are in standby mode, using electricity to power features like clocks, remote controls, and channel station memory. Being in standby mode wastes electricity resulting in phantom power loads, also called vampire loads. Just remember phantoms and vampires suck electricity through the two prongs in outlets.

Richland uses switchable power strips that faculty and staff can turn off each evening. Turning those off and unplugging electronics (other than your CPU) reduces electricity being lost as heat.

Please contact Ben Newton, Sustainability Program Director at bnewton@richland.edu with any questions regarding single-stream recycling, phantom power loads, or other ways to reduce waste on campus and in our community.

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