Category Archives: MVCC Info

Film Blog from Library full of Eco-Flicks!

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The Moraine Valley library has several themed blogs, which anyone can find them on its homepage. Of particular interest to me lately is the Film Blog series posted by Moraine Valley Librarian, Sarah Ando. Sarah has been reviewing several films on food, carbon & climate change. Check it out!

Or if you’re interested in personal liberty and freedoms of expression,  Librarian, Troy Swanson has a really interesting piece on Bassem Youssef of Egypt and his fight for free speech.

Librarian Jen Kolan wrote about “a breakthrough in hydrogen fuel production” and its potential impact on how we might fuel our vehicles in the near future. Jen also directs readers to more books and resources that can be found in the Library to learn more on the topic.

I share all this to highlight the Library, the great resources within (including the Librarians!) and to also show how integrated sustainability topics are in our current events, in research and in the Moraine Valley culture. Check out the blog to learn more or peruse the Center for Sustainability website to find out what Moraine Valley is addressing to ensure a sustainable today and tomorrow.

Be Green in 2013: Recycling Odd Things

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More Plastic Recycling!
If you use plastic bags (grocery, food-storage, newspaper bags, etc.) Your local grocery store probably accepts them for recycling. Jewel & Dominick’s (or other Safeway stores) are two locally that I know accept these. The Whole Foods in Orland Park also does. So does Target, Wal-Mart & JC Penny at Ford City Mall!! Just to double check, for store drop-off locations near you, see this site Earth911 directory.

  • At the very least, most stores collect plastic carry out bags (the kind you receive if you forgot your cloth bags). The bin is often located at the entrance or sometimes at the checkout area
  • Most stores collect a wider variety of “plastic film” or “plastic bags and wraps”—like Jewel, Dominick’s, Wal-Mart, Target & Whole Foods—you can recycle any of the following: plastic carryout bags; dry cleaning bags; newspaper bags; bread bags; cereal box liners (plastic bags inside the cardboard box); produce bags; sealable food storage bags (like Zip-loc); wraps from paper products, (diapers, napkins, paper towels, bathroom tissue, and baby wipes); & case wrap from bulk snacks & beverages.
  • Most of these different plastics outlined in bullet 2 are labeled with a #2 or #4 near or inside the recycling symbol on the bag.
  • Make sure plastic bags and wraps are clean and dry (you want them that way for storing at home before bringing them to the store, anyway). No food residue, paint, adhesive or stickers.

Eyeglass Recycling!
Do you have old eyeglasses lying around? Not sure what to do with them? The Lions Club collects used glasses (in one piece or broken) and redistributes them to people in need.

Imagine if you could help a child read. An adult succeed in his job. A senior maintain her independence. And provide a community with more opportunities to grow and thrive. Donate glasses and change someone’s life with the Lions Club.

Visit this site, type in your city (Orland Park has at least 5 sites!) and locate a Lions Club and an eyeglass collection center.

You can also package your old eyeglasses and mail them to one of two locations:

  • Your nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center
  • Lions Clubs International Headquarters
    Attention: Receiving Department
    300 W. 22nd Street
    Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA

And, don’t forget- the Moraine Valley Center for Sustainability is still collecting Frito-Lay Chip Bags, Expo Markers & PaperMate Pens for recycling.

Office L-242 or email sustainability@morainevalley.edu for more information

Global Food Security and Sustainability

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We wanted to spread the work about this Global Education event that connects to our sustainability mission.

Global Food Security and Sustainability
December 4th: 10:30-12:30, Moraine Room 2 (M Building)
Two key issues in nearly every country are the cost and availability of food and energy. Rising prices of commodities, such as wheat, corn, rice, and gasoline can lead to many problems, including: riots, hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. This event will discuss the causes, interconnections, and implications of rising commodity prices throughout the world.

 

 

Congrats, Stephenie!

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Stephenie Presseller, sustainability manager, has been selected as a Community Green chair for the Center for Green Schools at the United States Green Building Council. She was chosen from 90 applicants for her commitment to making green building education and training opportunities more accessible to community colleges.

Celebrate 40 Years of Earth Day w/ Moraine Valley

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Moraine Valley Community College has an active Green Team that’s been in service since 2007. This year the Team decided to ramp up Earth Week in honor of 40 Years of Earth Day- April 22, 2010. The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970 in which millions of Americans participated in random acts of sustainability all across the country!

Join us at Moraine Valley any day of the week April 19 through 24 toparticipate in an eco-friendly events. Each day there will be at least one free, fun and educational activity for students, staff, faculty and community members.  Check our website, morainevalley.edu/sustainability/events for details.

Here’s an abbreviated sneak preview – Tree Campus USA Tour, Taste of Moraine, Green Cleaning Infomercial, Social Justice Lecture, Native Plant Walk & Learn, Free Cocoa Mulch & Green Living Workshops!!!

Call 708-974-5412, email sustainability@morainevalley.edu or visit  morainevalley.edu/sustainability/events for more information.  See you there! 

Earth Week 2010 Poster, MVCC

350 Call for Action

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On Campus Sustainability Day, Moraine Valley students, staff, and faculty took the photo below as part of call to action to move toward 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere.  We are already above this level.  By taking this photo, the Moraine Valley community joined thousands of people from around the world who are working to bring more attention to the need for a sustainable future.  You can learn more at 350.org.350 Photo

Campus Sustainability Day Wed. Oct. 21

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 Two important activities going on:

  • 10:00 am: People Forming the #350 Outside on the Moraine GreenDuring third week of October, Colleges, Universities, and organized groups will focus on the number 350.  Why 350?  This is the maximum number of parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) that scientists have determined will allow ecosystems on the earth function efficiently and in a healthy manner.  Currently the earth registers at 390 ppm of CO2.  On Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am, MVCC students, professors, and staff are invited to voluntarily participate in making a human number 350 out on the Moraine Green, near the Gateway.  Glen Carpenter, Moraine’s Photographer, will take a photo and it will be posted on the 350.org website along with others from around the world.  For more educational information, log onto www.350.org.  If you are interested in bringing a class to participate in the photo, please contact Michelle Zurawski, Assistant Professor of Biology and Sustainability Coordinator of Teaching & Learning – zurawski@morainevalley.edu or (708) 974-5559.
  • 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Environmental & Social Justice Activities in the Student UnionThere will be activities and information tables in the Student Union/Café Moraine area. From 11 to 2, students, staff and faculty are invited to stop by and learn about national and regional organizations and activities that promote a healthy environment for people and the planet. Organizations highlighted are focused on environmental and social justice campaigns. Calculate your eco-footprint, identify safe cosmetics and body care choices, discover local and national groups working towards a sustainable future and what you can do to help, and learn more about sustainability.  The goal for the day is to encourage others to become interested, involved and active in positive organizations promoting a safe and healthy future for everyone. For more information, please contact Stephenie Presseller, Sustainability Coordinator – pressellers@morainevalley.edu or (708) 974-5412.