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Vermilion Community College

1900 East Camp Street , Ely, MN 55731
VCC's Sustainability Committee

A group of faculty, staff and students dedicated to initiating and fostering sustainable efforts on campus.
, d.marshall@vcc.edu

New recycling receptacles!

Other

Currently, Vermilion’s recycling program is relatively ineffective because of dated and unappealing recycling receptacles and improper use. With the MSCC $500 grant, we would like to enhance our current recycling program. We are in the process of purchasing four Link-a-Bag recycling receptacles for our campus. These would make the recycling process easier and more popular because the bags within the receptacle are completely visible and transparent, so proper recycling is encouraged. With this system, it is perfectly clear what should be placed in the receptacle. To augment this project, the sustainability committee is challenging students and faculty members to sign a sustainability pledge that encourages sustainable practices on and off campus.

We are matching this grant by purchasing 4 receptacles on our own, so a total of 8 will be purchased.

We want to create an effective, popular and sustainable recycling program at Vermilion Community College.

We have created a student-driven sustainability club!

Community engagement

We have created a student-driven sustainability club to take on many important projects our committee does not have the time to do. We have recruited members, elected officers and are undergoing various tasks on campus. We have ordered Link-a-Bag recycling receptacles!

Make a difference! The overall goal is to encourage everyone at Vermilion to become more environmentally conscious through various attractive and powerful initiatives.

Energy Efficient Lighting: Fireside Lounge Lighting Upgrade with Interpretive Display

Energy efficiency

The Fireside Lounge at Vermilion Community College is the most frequently used large space for student and staff gatherings such as for meetings and presentations. Currently it is lit by very inefficient and potentially dangerous metal halide lamps. This project would comprise of three components. First, the current lighting in this space would be replaced with energy efficient compact florescent lights controlled via occupancy sensors. Second, an interpretive display would be created and posted to explain the all aspects of the project, including carbon emissions reduction. In addition to the knowledge gained by those students, staff, and faculty members active with the project, others can benefit educationally from it through this display. Third, the lighting in several adjacent corridors of student housing would be upgraded to compact florescent lights, many controlled by occupancy sensors. Currently these lights are on 24 hours a day.

This project is now possible with the money NHED was awarded for our collaborative $20,000 grant!

eview of Project Sub-Goal for Vermilion: To reduce Scope 2 carbon emissions by replacing lighting fixtures in a prominent space on campus with an energy efficient lighting system and to develop and mount an interpretive display relaying information about the project around sustainability and carbon emissions reductions
Objective 1: To make the lighting in the Fireside Lounge (a prominent meeting place on campus) more energy efficient

Task A: Replace the 18 metal halide lighting fixtures in the Fireside Lounge with compact florescent fixtures and lights

Sub-task 1: Fully identify the funds for the project—-COMPLETE
Sub-task 2: Complete state contract with electrician—-COMPLETE
Sub-task 3: Electrician orders equipment and supplies—-COMPLETE
Sub-task 4: Install new electrical lighting—-COMPLETE
Sub-task 5: Evaluate lighting Fireside Lounge upgrade—-COMPLETE

Update: All tasks and sub-tasks associated with Objective 1 were completed by the end of Spring Semester 2010. The new, energy efficient lighting in our Fireside Lounge meets our expectations.

Objective 2: To provide an educational experience through active participation in the planning and creation of an interpretive display for the Fireside Lounge

Task A: Develop and create an interpretive display for the Fireside Lounge around sustainability and carbon emissions reduction

Sub-task 1: Electrician to meet with team to discuss information pertinent to display
Sub-task 2: Interpretive display is created
Sub-task 3: Interpretive display is sent to sign maker and then installed
Sub-task 4: Evaluate Fireside Lounge interpretive display

Update: Our team is currently in the process of putting together and creating the text for this display. We have a light bulb removed from the Fireside Lounge through this project, which we will display next to one of the new energy efficient light bulbs that replaced it. Although behind schedule, we do anticipate this portion of the project to be complete by the end of this semester.

Objective 3: To make lighting in two residence hall corridors adjacent to the Fireside Lounge more energy efficient

Task A: Replace lighting with compact florescent lights and install occupancy sensors

Sub-task 1: Fully identify the funds for the project
Sub-task 2: Complete state contract with electrician
Sub-task 3: Electrical lighting installation occurs
Sub-task 4: Evaluate residence hall corridors lighting upgrade

Update: Our team is currently working on this objective. Although behind schedule, we do anticipate this portion of the project to be complete by the end of ne

Our overarching project goal is to reduce our Scope 2 carbon emissions. Specifically, we plan to achieve this through a reduction in the use of electricity by replacing the current lighting fixtures in a prominent space on campus with an energy efficient lighting system. An additional activity of the project is to develop and mount an interpretive display relaying information about the project and carbon emissions reductions.