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S
ustainability Committee:
- Matt Knoerlein
- Karen Bradley Ehler
- Julijia Sajauskas
- Marisa Olszewski
- John Marshall
- Anna Hunter
- Sue Muller
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The Sustainability Committee is looking for new members! You can join us for just one year or elect to continue to serve if you enjoy being part of the team. No prior experience or knowledge is required and serving on the committee can be an excellent learning opportunity. However if you have an interest in Sustainable practices and can bring some knowledge to share with the team, that would be great as well!
If you are interested in joining us, please email our Committee Chairperson, Matt Knoerlein:
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Sustainability Committee
Visits HCC
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On Thursday, November 3, members of the Sustainability Committee visited Howard Community College where we met with Bob Marietta, Facility Renovations, Sustainability, and Safety Manager. Bob is also the co-chair of the college’s Facilities and Sustainability Committee. Mr. Marietta introduced us to a couple other faculty members of the Facilities and Sustainability Committee and oriented us to two of the newest buildings on campus. We walked through the center of campus to get a look at some of the landscaping that has been updated over the years. Together, we discussed the college’s successes as well as challenges faced in implementing sustainability initiatives on a diverse campus. Here are some highlights from the visit:
- One of the newest buildings on campus, the Health Sciences Building was built in 2014 and achieved LEED Gold certification. The Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall, although not officially submitted for LEED certification, was built to LEED principles.
- With the new buildings on campus, the landscaping has been designed to capture 40% of the stormwater generated on site. Additionally, the campus is Bay Wise Certified through the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener program.
- Funding and support for re-planting the campus with native landscaping has mostly come from various community groups.
- Two solar charging stations attached to outdoor tables have been installed outside of buildings to allow people to charge their cell phones or other small devices while sitting outside.
- HCC has an environmental club with about 25 student members. Each year, around Earth Day, the club leads a waste investigation where they pile up one day of waste from the campus and examine it for trash and recycling.
- The school has a Green Dragon award that can be achieved for events if sustainable protocol for events are followed.
Link to HCC Sustainability
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Department Holiday Luncheon
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Thanks to the Holiday Party Planning Committee and all of the jolly attendees, sustainability will once again be a major part of our annual celebration in the following ways:
reusing decorations, holding the event at a central location, carpooling, bringing our own dinnerware, using
green products
,
recycling
and
eating locally
.
We hope to see you there wearing your most festive headwear.
Have fun, eat well, spread cheer and stay green.
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Howard County Merry Mulch
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“Merry Mulch” your holiday trees December 26 through January 15 - Recycle trees at garden centers, parks and the landfill
Howard County Government is offering residents a variety of FREE holiday tree recycling options through the County’s Merry Mulch program. Since 1993, the Merry Mulch holiday tree recycling program has kept thousands of trees out of the landfill, helping to save money and the environment. All collected trees are delivered to a compost facility and recycled into compost and mulch.
Beginning Saturday, December 26 and continuing through Friday, January 15, 2016, holiday trees may be recycled seven days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the drop-off sites listed below. One exception to the above days and times is the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which is open Monday through Saturday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Look for Merry Mulch signs at the drop-off sites listed on the website:
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"Thank you" so much to the Rec & Parks staff that came out to our final Adopt-a-Road clean-up for 2016. We set a new record for the most trash picked up in all of our four years of this program. A special thank you to the staff at Robinson Nature Center who made up half of today’s team. We collected 31 lbs. of trash and another 84 lbs. to recycle. This is the highest total recycling weight ever!
Since the program began, Department employees have collected 424 lbs. of trash and 265 lbs. of recycling. Our grand total to date of combined trash and recycling is a whopping 689 lbs. Our next Adopt-a-Road Clean-up will be March 1st at 10:30 AM.
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Sustainability Lunch
and Eco Pledge
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We held our annual Sustainability Speaker Series lunch in October with guest speaker Ned Tillman. Mr. Tillman discussed environmental issues in and around Howard County and shared how each of us can take steps to a more sustainable future. To reinforce his message and continue promoting sustainability in the workplace, we have a created the HCRP Eco Pledge. We ask that each of you commit to taking up to 18 easy steps in 2017. Please complete the pledge located HERE, and forward via email to Matt Knoerlein at [email protected].
All of those submitting a pledge with at least 15 checks before the New Year begins will be eligible for our prize drawing. Thank you!
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UN Declares 2017 Year of Sustainable Tourism
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Important Sustainable Dates
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