Pictured L2R: Sue Dale, Krishna Meka, Janine Arietta, Corey Chetcuti, Tracy Huang, Elizabeth Cheng, Anna Harrison.

The first speaker, Jeffery Greenblatt spoke primarily about coal with CO2 sequestration. This would entail taking a coal plant and capturing the CO2 from it and diverting it to underground in various situations such as depleted oil gas reservoirs, to name one example. It has yet to be tried on an actual coal plant due to costs but as Jeffery stated they are in no position of giving up on this idea. Installing CO2 capture and separation on all US coal plants would reduce carbon emissions by 75 million tons per year. So it is definitely worth investing and continually researching into.

The second speaker, Jeff Cole spoke mostly about carbon trading and helping business and landowners find ways of becoming more sustainable. They have worked with Google, Chevrolet and Shell to name a few companies that have hired them. For landowners who hire them they have a development model to make the most in terms of sustainability with the land and the building upon it.

The third speaker, Steve Hardy spoke on behalf of the FSC or Forest Stewardship Council. To say forests are important for the environment of the world is an understatement. Forests are a habitat for 70% of the animals on this planet. The destruction of them is the second leading cause in global warming. His company’s job is to help protect forests that are owned privately in creating land that is not only profitable for the owner but sustainable for the future generations of this world.

At the end of all the lectures we were given a chance to ask any questions we had. I asked them what was the biggest lie or myth standing in the way of the progress of sustainable practices. Here is what they had to say:

Steve Hardy said that people think or say, “It doesn’t matter what I do. I’m just one person.” – However if each person does the slightest thing to make a difference, it will! Each little act adds up no matter how small.

Jeffery Greenblatt brought up the problem that people think or say, “There’s no such thing as global warming.” Certain people want to create confusion about climate change to gain their own financial strength. Other people develop blinders for various reasons. Also some people think there’s only one way to create a sustainable world, such as using wind or solar power. But we need to think of using all sorts of methods to produce efficient and sustainable energy.

Lastly Jeff Cole stated that there is a myth that there are no viable solutions to these problems. We need more problem-solving instead of just throwing our hands up at any dead end. There is not going to be any silver bullet that comes along and solves these issues perfectly. It will take perseverance,  I went to the USGBC of Northern California, Monterey Branch, patience and creativity.

In the end I learned a lot from attending this seminar. What I gained from each of the speakers’ responses and lectures is that it’s up to each of us to educate people and to change the world in our own way. We need to take step by step however slow to further the education and implement ideas for a greener world. There will be trials and errors. And sometimes we will need to make compromises to make progress for a sustainable world. In the end though, we will succeed.

LEED Interns with the award!

Click here to see the winning press release straight from the California Community College’s Chancellor’s Office!

Click here for event coverage of the Mission College Eco Fair!

Lisa wanted to make the lecture interesting… and she succeeded! Matter of Trust concentrates on Renewable Resources & Eco-enthusiasts. They strive to mimic how Mother Nature integrates enduring cycles.

What Matter of Trust does and why:

They currently have 56 programs, all of which involve orchestrating research, hands-on maintenance, and encouragement from many experts with knowledge bases of different sources.

They concentrate on three main programs, Manmade Surplus, Natural Abundance & Eco-Education.

1. Balance vs. out of balance
2. Surplus ≠ Abundance
3. Surplus = Supply

U.S. is to be the biggest trendsetter to take surplus & sort – THE KEY IS SORTING. They sought Newman’s Own as model and got their help.  What drives people? $$, goals:

A charity’s goal is to solve problems, then go out of business. If the charity is a school, it HAS to expand. THIS IS HOW GREEN BUSINESSES SHOULD BE.

Highlighted programs:

• Earth Day San Francisco:
  The first year, they made a huge fish out of garbage, plastic, lots of it. The second year, they made a huge maze, Earth Days-Amaze, out of bamboo, posted kids art (donated from schools) around the barricades. Jean Michel Cousteau video, oceanfuture.org, “Earth Day should be called Ocean Day.”
• Wrap Star Campaign:
  If we can reduce the amount of plastic we use each day, we can reduce the amount of plastic that winds up in our oceans. Lots of manufacturers use WAY too much packaging for their products. Let’s band together to encourage them to rethink their packaging choices by choosing to buy products that are packaged in an environmentally friendly way. And let’s create jobs and see this generation revolutionize the packaging industry through smart design and green materials.
• Clean Wave of the Future
  According to the EPA, 50% of the oil spilled in our waterways every year comes from motor oil run-off.  Booms are oil catchers, and can be made from natural waste fibers such as hair clippings from salons, fur clippings from groomers and waste fleece from alpaca, llama and other fleece farmers.  Watch a video on how the booms absorb oil – you won’t believe it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q0cL4GsSqwOur kits for schools show how these abundant, renewable fibers soak up oil before kids’ very eyes in science labs and shop classes. This is a fun tool for those who want a project to raise recycling and clean oceans awareness. We have how-to-make instructions in PDF and demonstration videos posted on YouTube.Lisa talked about the BP oil spill and the outpouring of help they received with a few “shout outs” to the right people. They became friends with the SF mayor (they utilized the States of Emergency Homeland, Red Cross (for press). Surfers helped and “sorted” too. Churches called out for a donation of hair for the booms and they received 19 warehouses full! They were on the Rachel Mathers Show. The EPA was fined for using the chemical Corex. They also got help from buffalo farmers who trucked in Alpaca Fleece.

• Excess Access
  They match business, nonprofit and household item donations with the wish lists of those nearby that can accept drop-offs or provide pick-ups. Now serving the USA, Canada and beyond. Daily, thousands of dollars-worth of secondhand goods are finding homes, and thousands of pounds worth of useful materials are being kept out of overflowing landfills.
•  Landfill Harmonic
  Inspired by a group in Paraguay that make instruments out of recycled materials they find in landfills.  Making instruments from donated items. Wow! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXynrsrTKbI&feature=player_embedded

Eco-Industrial Revolution

Where not only does manufacturing, design and creativity make a comeback but it is safe, healthy and locally accessible to youth looking for apprenticeships and guidance for careers. Many of the programs that they work with involve manufacturing, stockpiles of materials, packaging and logistics.

Matter of Trust is excited to be getting an Eco-Center in San Francisco! The center will be a hub for visitors, after school programs, lectures, permanent and rotating exhibits, reference and referral library.  Exhibits will include our “sexy experts’” (Sexpert) Bench which will be a living exhibit where peer-acknowledged experts from many low-tech and hi-tech hands on sectors will come in and work and chat with visitors while they work.

Their goal for the Center is to be an access point for youth and families to learn about the Eco-industrial Revolution and become part of the solution.  They see it involving recycling and sorting manmade surplus, finding optimum uses for naturally abundant materials and providing eco-educational and inspirational blueprints, lesson plans, and manufacturing solutions and products.

LOCAL – SMALLER – BETTER!


Lisa gave us all her book! “It’s Easy Being Green”, The User Friendly Eco-Handbook. Filled with fun facts & simple (green) tips and it’s made from hemp.   (Also pictured: Wrap Star sticker/swag, Lisa’s contact information and a hair boom that was made to help contain the oil spill via Excess Access.)

Written by Karin Detrick and edited by Lucile Glessner

Section 7.8.2.1 – Create Waste Reduction Goals – Included in the WVC Plan

• This would be a 3-5 year plan. Goal should be at least a 100% diversion of solid waste saved from landfill – ‘leave no trace’ concept.
• Landmark Studio Design – makes receptacles out of recycled materials – Kurt would like to see a better receptacle regarding the aesthetics for around campus.  Receptacles that do not require opening a lid, or touching it.
• Amount of non-recycled material is already very reduced compared to the past.
• West Valley Recycling has not had any issues with non-recyclable materials being put into the re-cycling bins.
• Composting should be pursued, the cafeteria needs significant work, it is unclear as to what to re-cycle, wet vs. dry. Yard waste is already being addressed.
• West Valley Recycling does 2 types of re-composting, but it would be desirable for WVC to keep the good compost.
• Need different types of bins for various compostable materials – perhaps pictures or some other method could be used to clarify.
• McDonald’s composts everything together. Diapers go into compost in SF.  Use vermiculture as part of the process
• The hospitality business is the next frontier for re-cycling; perhaps try to secure a speaker from the hospitality business.

Section 7.8.2.2 – Maximize Programs Offered by Contracted Waste Hauler – Include in the WVC Plan

• Virginia and Kurt to have Randy (of WV WM Co) discuss this.
• WVC is not locked into a contract with WV WM, so we could request proposal from another company and put it out for bid.  Kurt liked Ecology programs better.
• Include weighing of the large bins as part of the RFP.
• Desire the LEED credits for waste diversion – having the compost weighed helps get these credits.  It is important to document everything.
• Some companies will actually pay for the waste.  Consider employing students to haul our own waste.
• Kurt’s department does not have the resources to collect multiple waste streams.
• Consider eliminating all bins from classrooms and have ‘re-cycling’ centers around campus.

Section 7.8.2.3 – Reduce the Waste Stream to Landfill- Include in the WV Plan

Section 7.8.2.3.1 – Raise Awareness of Waste Reduction

• Perhaps Green Apple Day of service can assist.  Have a contest for reducing waste, this has been done elsewhere.
• Distribute other types of info to raise awareness.  Use the USGBC group to assist, provide ‘re-cycling therapists’.
• WVC does have waste programs regarding old file cabinets, etc.  All ideas should go to Kendall regarding thoughts for this endeavor.

Section 7.8.2.3.2 – Minimize Unnecessary Waste

• This falls more in the realm of the Purchasing Dept.  The copy machines are still being overused.  Consider ways to encourage people to go paperless.  Ask Purchasing to provide cost info for printing, etc.
• Teachers in all departments still require a lot of paper be submitted.  Start a campaign to raise awareness, maybe offer a prize.
• Watch how this endeavor plays out at Mission.
• Hand dryers in bathrooms are already being used, although some paper canisters still exist.  Find out info from Bookstore as to their incentives regarding selling books, could encourage people to purchase e-books, or even rent an e-book.
• WVC already has an RFP with Barnes and Noble regarding e-books; this could be a good project to look into.

Section 7.8.2.3.3 – Reduce Paper Use

• This is already in process.

Section 7.8.2.3.4 – Minimize Use of Disposable Items

• This is somewhat already in process, currently switching to compostable items.
• Kurt’s final words were to definitely take action for the ‘low-hanging fruit’.  This is primarily the Campus Center, which is student-owned, and they actually have money.  Kurt’s department does not service the Campus Center.  Kurt asked to be contacted with any ideas at 408.741.2064.

Written by Laura Knapp and edited by Lucile Glessner